tains with composite glyphs, some composite parts of which
are obviously totemic. On the upper surface of this monolith there are
6x6=36 single glyphs, which yield 9 groups of 4. If these 9x4 be added to
the 4x4 glyphs on which the chieftains are respectively seated, we obtain
13 groups of 4, equivalent to 52. It is superfluous to repeat that there
are fifty-two years in the Mexican cycle and that just as this square
altar has 16 figures carved around it, the great monolithic Stone of Tizoc
in the City of Mexico has 16 groups. In the latter case each group is
accompanied by the name of a tribe and its capital. It looks very much as
though the glyphs on which the chieftains on Altar K are seated also
express tribal names.

A careful study of the other square monolith at Copan, known as the
Alligator altar, will enable us to form a better estimate of the probable
meaning of glyphs, employed as seats by chieftains. The Alligator altar
takes its name from the sculptured animal which is stretched over its
upper surface. Human figures are represented as connected with the
different parts of the animal's body, in a way which forcibly recalls Mr.
Cushing's explanation of how the various members of a tribe were
associated with a part only of their totemic animal and bore the name of
this part as their title of honor, according to a strict order of
precedence.

According to Mr. Maudslay's description: "Upon the upper surface of the
monument are two apparently human figures seated upon the arms of the
alligator. Both figures are much weather worn; each has what appears to be
a glyph in its hand, which is outstretched toward the alligator's head.
Between the alligator's arms and legs four human figures are seated in
similar positions, two on each side of the body. These figures have large
mask head-dresses and carry offerings in their hands. There are two
figures on the north side of the monument, one on either side of the tail
of the alligator; each is seated on a glyph. The figures are human, but in
place of a human head each figure is surmounted by a glyph. Each figure
holds a glyph with the numeral ten attached to it in its outstretched
hand."

Since the above partial description of the altar was written, Mr. Maudslay
has found that one of the above glyphs is "Mol" and the other "Zip," and
has identified the glyph used as a head for each figure as the day-sign
Cabal. This fact is of particular interest as the meaning of this