ose relation between form and sound, as in one case
_m-x_ are the chief phonetic elements and in the other _m-c_. It is
probable that Drs Schellhas and Seler were led to their conclusion by
the fact that the symbol bears a close resemblance to the conventional
form of the female breast, which in Maya is _im_. This, which was
perhaps the origin of the symbol, was probably selected simply because
_m_ is its only prominent element. Nevertheless, it is worthy of notice
that the symbol for the day _Ix_ is frequently represented as shown in
plate LXVI, 36, from Tro. 5*c. This is similar in some respects to the
_Imix_ symbol, and the name contains the _i_ and _x_ of the latter. If
the writing is phonetic, the points of resemblance may have some
significance, otherwise they do not.

In a previous paper[208-1] I suggested that the probable signification
of the character LXIV, 7, from Dres. 14c and 46b, is _maax_, "monkey,
ape, imitator." Below the text in each case is seen a dark male figure
(or deity), to which it undoubtedly refers, as is conceded by Drs
Schellhas and Seler. The face character, which forms part of the glyph,
may be only a determinative; at least I am unable to assign it any other
value in this connection, and the necessity for such determinative is
apparent. Brasseur, under _akab-maax_, speaks of a phantom or hobgoblin
of this name, which he says signifies "the great monkey of the night."
Perez gives as definitions "duende" (elf or hobgoblin) and "mico
nocturno." Henderson, who writes the name _akabmax_, simply says
"sprite, phantom." It would seem, therefore, that among the
superstitious beliefs of the Maya was that of a night phantom or deity,
which took the form of a monkey. But this black figure appears to be
different from those on Tro. 34*-31*, with which Seler connects it and
to which he applies the name Ekchuah.[208-2]

In the paper above referred to, I have interpreted the symbol shown in
plate LXIV, 8 (from Dres. 35c) _maach_, "the crow," assuming the
birdhead to be a determinative. Seler concludes that the bird which this
represents is "a substitute, colleague, or symbol of the Rain god Chac,"
the so-called Maya Tlaloc so frequently represented in the codices.
Although there is in this case no bird figure below to confirm our
interpretation, yet it appears to be justified by the comparisons given
and by its agreement with the phonetic value of the _imix_ symbol. It is
also further confirmed by the