Imperfect description of the myths and rites of the Yucatecan Mayas are preserved in the old Spanish authors; while of the Quiches we have in the original their sacred book, the _Popol Vuh_ with a fair translation by the Abbé Brasseur de Bourbourg.[209] This may well be considered one of the most valuable monuments of ancient American literature, and its substantial authenticity cannot be doubted. Its first part presents a body of ancient mythology and its second the early history of the tribe. The latter is supplemented by a similar document relating to the history of their neighbors the Cakchiquels, written at the time of the conquest, which I have published from the unique MS. in my possession.[210] Many facts relating to their ancient mythology, history and superstitions were written down by educated natives of Yucatan in a series of documents entitled “the Books of Chilan Balam,” copies of a number of which have been preserved.[211] They are replete with curious material. MAYA LINGUISTIC STOCK. _Achis_, in eastern Guatemala, now extinct. _Aguatecas_, in Aguacatan, Guatemala. _Cakchiquels_, in central Guatemala. _Chaneabals_, in eastern Chiapas. _Chinantecos_ or _Cinantecos_, same as _Tzotzils_. _Choles_, in Depart. Palenque, in Chiapas. _Chortis_, in valley of Rio Montagua, near Copan. _Huastecas_, on Rio Panuco, north of Vera Cruz. _Ixils_, on head-waters of Rio-Salinas, in Guatemala. _Lacandons_, on the Rio Lacandon. _Mams_, in western Guatemala. _Mayas_, in peninsula of Yucatan. _Mopans_, north of the Chols, in Guatemala. _Quekchis_, on Rio Cahabon, in Guatemala. _Quiches_ (_Utlateca_), head-waters of Rio Grande, Guatemala. _Pokomams_, south of Rio Grande, in Guatemala. _Pokonchis_, in central Guatemala. _Tzendals_, in Tabasco and Chiapas. _Tzotzils_, in Chiapas. _Tzutuhils_, south of lake Atitlan, Guatemala. _Uspantecas_, on Rio Negro, Guatemala. 11. THE HUAVES, SUBTIABAS, LENCAS, XINCAS, XICAQUES, “CARIBS,” MUSQUITOS, ULVAS, RAMAS, PAYAS, GUATUSOS. The small tribe of the _Huaves_ occupies four hamlets on the isthmus of Tehuantepec on the Pacific Ocean.[212] The men are tall and strong but the women are unusually ugly. Their occupation is chiefly fishing and they have the reputation of being dull. The language they speak is said to be of an independent stock, and according to various writers the tribe claims to have come from some part of the coast a considerable distance to the south. The vocabularies of their tongue are too imperfect to permit its identification.