An important exception to this statement should be noted here in connection with the normal forms for the numbers 1, 2, 6, 7, 11, 12, 16, and 17, that is, all which involve the use of _one_ or _two_ dots in their composition.[59] In the inscriptions, as we have seen in Chapter II, every glyph was a balanced picture, exactly fitting its allotted space, even at the cost of occasionally losing some of its elements. To have expressed the numbers 1, 2, 6, 7, 11, 12, 16, and 17 as in the codices, with just the proper number of bars and dots in each case, would have left unsightly gaps in the outlines of the glyph blocks (see fig. 42, _a-h_, where these numbers are shown as the coefficients of the katun sign). In _a_, _c_, _e_, and _g_ of the same figure (the numbers 1, 6, 11, and 16, respectively) the single dot does not fill the space on the left-hand[60] side of the bar, or bars, as the case may be, and consequently {89} the left-hand edge of the glyph block in each case is ragged. Similarly in _b_, _d_, _f_, and _h_, the numbers 2, 7, 12, and 17, respectively, the two dots at the left of the bar or bars are too far apart to fill in the left-hand edge of the glyph blocks neatly, and consequently in these cases also the left edge is ragged. The Maya were quick to note this discordant note in glyph design, and in the great majority of the places where these numbers (1, 2, 6, 7, 11, 12, 16, and 17) had to be recorded, other elements of a purely ornamental character were introduced to fill the empty spaces. In figure 43, _a_, _c_, _e_, _g_, the spaces on each side of the single dot have been filled with ornamental {90} crescents about the size of the dot, and these give the glyph in each case a final touch of balance and harmony, which is lacking without them. In _b_, _d_, _f_, and _h_ of the same figure a single crescent stands between the two numerical dots, and this again harmoniously fills in the glyph block. While the crescent () is the usual form taken by this purely decorative element, crossed lines (**) are found in places, as in (); or, again, a pair of dotted elements (++), as in (++). These variants, however, are of rare occurrence, the common form being the crescent shown in figure 43. [Illustration: FIG. 42. Examples showing the way in which the numerals 1, 2, 6, 7, 11, 12, 16, and 17 are _not_ used with period, day, or month signs.] [Illustration: FIG. 43. Examples showing the way in which the numerals 1, 2, 6, 7, 11, 12, 16, and 17 _are_ used with period, day, or month signs. Note the filling of the otherwise vacant spaces with ornamental elements.] [Illustration: FIG. 44. Normal forms of numerals 1 to 13, inclusive, in the Books of Chilan Balam.]