394, in Kingsborough, vol.ix).

All this is in contradiction to the reports of earlier and better authorities.
For instance, Motolinia says pointedly, "no fue casado, ni se le conocio mujer" (_Historia de los Indios, Epistola Proemial_).] Following the example of their Master, many of the priests of his cult refrained from sexual relations, and as a mortification of the flesh they practiced a painful rite by transfixing the tongue and male member with the sharp thorns of the maguey plant, an austerity which, according to their traditions, he was the first to institute.[1] There were also in the cities where his special worship was in vogue, houses of nuns, the inmates of which had vowed perpetual virginity, and it was said that Quetzalcoatl himself had founded these institutions.[2] [Footnote 1: _Codex Vaticanus_, Tab.

xxii.] [Footnote 2: Veitia, _Historia_, cap.

XVII.] His connection with the worship of the reproductive principle seems to be further indicated by his surname, _Ce acatl_.

This means One Reed, and is the name of a day in the calendar.