n by Landa is shown in plate LXV, 49. This
is substantially the usual form found in the codices as given in LXV,
50, 51, 55, the first two being usual in the Troano, Cortesian, and
Peresian codices, and 55 in the Dresden. In a few instances, as Tro. 12a
and 12c, it assumes the face form 52. The face form shown at 54 occurs
in the Dresden Codex, as do the variations seen at 53 and 56.

Dr Seler and Brasseur contend that the forms shown in plate LXV, 52 and
54, make it evident that the broken line, which is the chief
characteristic of the glyph, is intended to represent, or rather is
derived from, the ear of the dog. This, Seler says, is frequently
represented in the Mexican codices, and also many times in the Maya
manuscripts, with the tip of the ear torn away. To illustrate this, he
presents several figures of dog's heads, one of which is shown in our
plate LXV, 57.[239-1]

There would seem to be some foundation for this supposition, yet there
are difficulties in the way of its acceptance which appear
unsurmountable. The first of these is that it furnishes no explanation
or clue to the relation between the symbol and the Maya or Tzental name.
Second, it does not appear to have been used in any instance as the
symbol of the dog, which seems to be a fatal objection, if it is assumed
to be merely ideographic. Third, it renders only more difficult any
explanation of the character shown in plate LXV, 58, which is of such
frequent occurrence in all the codices. If a satisfactory interpretation
of this glyph could be found, it would assist greatly in deciphering the
codices. I am rather inclined to think it is a sign of repetition--as
"repeat thrice." If there were some word for _ear_ which could be
connected with _oc_ or _elab_, then we might suppose the symbol to be
used phonetically. However, as this can not be found, some other
explanation must be sought.

The Nahuatl and Quiche-Cakchiquel names are the ordinary terms in these
languages for "dog," and the Mexican symbol for the day is the head of a
dog. Dr Seler does not attempt to explain the Tzental name, and merely
suggests that the Maya word _oc_, "foot, footprint, track," and as a
verb, "to enter, to go into," may have been adopted by the priests as
expressing a prominent characteristic of the dog. Dr Brinton is inclined
to derive the name _oc_ from the verb _ocol_, _oclah_, "to steal, to
rob," rather than from _ocol_, "to enter," supposing it to have been
selected