Animal Figures in the Maya Codices | Page 9

figures of bees, some of which are shown in Pl. 2.
As stated by Stempell (1908, p. 735) this is doubtless a species of
Melipona, probably M. fulvipes or domestica. It is well known that this
bee was kept by the ancient Mexicans, and what appear to be
improvised hives are shown in Pl. 2, figs. 7, 10, where the combs are
noted depending from the ceiling or walls. These combs are seen to be
composed of cells roughly four-sided for the most part, though in fig.
11 several hexagonal cells are present in the mass of comb held by the
black god, M. Darwin, in his Origin of Species, has called attention to
the form of the comb built by this bee, and considers its irregular cells
of from three to six sides intermediate in their degree of perfection
between those of the bumble bee (Bombus) and the honey bee of
Europe (Apis mellifica). The Caban form in connnection[TN-4] with
the hive in fig. 10 may have some phonetic signifiance[TN-5] as kab is
honey in Maya. This sign occurs very frequently in the pages devoted
to apiculture.
The figures of the bees in the codex show a number of interesting

variations. In figs. 1-3, 5, 11, the insect is less conventionalized than in
figs. 4, 6 (Pl. 2). The hairy feet are well indicated as well as the
segmented body and a single pair of wings. All the figures show an
anterodorsal view so that, on account of the size of the first pair of legs,
only the tops of the second pair appear in Pl. 2, figs. 1, 3, 5. In fig. 2,
however, two pairs are seen, and in figs. 4, 6, the anthropomorphic
tendency is further shown by providing the insect with two pairs of
limbs each with four or five digits, and a conventionalized face, eyes
and mouth. In Pl. 2, fig. 1, the bee is represented without mouthparts
but antennae only. This may indicate a drone or a queen bee that takes
no active part in the work of gathering honey or making comb. Fig. 2 is
perhaps the least reduced of any of the figures and shows the worker
bee with antennae and mouthparts.
The so-called "cloud balls" of the day sign Cauac (Pl. 2, fig. 8) may
represent the honey comb. Cauac is usually supposed to have some
connection with lightening[TN-6] and thunder although Valentini
agrees with the authors in associating Cauac with the bees and honey.
The Cauac-like forms in Pl. 2, figs. 7, 10, have been described above as
hives. The representation of legs in the full drawing of a bee as four
large limbs, an anterior and a posterior pair, coupled with the method of
drawing the insect as seen from above and in front, may have led to its
final expression by an X-shaped mark shown in connection with the
hives (Pl. 2, figs. 7, 10). The X is also seen in the day sign Cauac.
Apiculture was common among the various peoples of Central America
and Mexico. Las Casas speaks of hives of bees and Gomara states that
the bees were small and the honey rather bitter. Clavigero (Vol. 1, p.
68)[300-*] mentions six varieties of bees which were found in
Mexico;--the first is the same as the common bee of Europe, the second
differs from the first only in having no sting and is the bee of Yucatan
and Chiapas which makes the fine clear honey of aromatic flavor. The
third species resembles in its form the winged ants but is smaller than
the common bee and without a sting. The fourth is a yellow bee,
smaller than the common one but, like it, furnished with a sting. The
fifth is a small bee without a sting which constructs hives of an
orbicular form in subterranean cavities and the honey is sour and

somewhat bitter. The Tlalpipiolli, which is the sixth species, is black
and yellow, of the size of the common bee, but has no sting.
The natives of the country at the present time often cultivate hives of
bees in logs which they hollow out for this purpose and keep in a
specially constructed shelter. It is, however, rather the ceremonial side
of apiculture that is the interesting feature and this is clearly
emphasized in the Tro-Cortesianus. The section in this manuscript (80b,
103-112), as has been noted, is taken up almost exclusively with the
culture of the bee and in all probability represents a definite religious
ceremony or series of rites which are connected intimately with bees
and honey. Landa (1864, p. 292)[300-[+]] states that in the month Tzoz
the natives prepare for a ceremony in behalf of the bees which takes
place in the following month, Tzec. In the month Mol another fiesta is