404 MAN : PAST AND PRESENT. [CHAP. X. 



With regard to the cliff dwellings, it is explained that the 

 district is one of arid plateaus, separated and dissected by deep 

 canons, frequently composed of flat-lying rock strata forming 

 ledge-marked cliffs by the erosive action of the rare storms. 

 " Only along the fe\v streams heading in the mountains does 

 permanent water exist, and along the cliff lines slabs of rock 

 suitable for building abound ; and the primitive ancients, de- 

 pendent as they were on environment, naturally produced the 

 cliff dwellings. The tendency toward this type was strengthened 

 by intertribal relations ; the cliff dwellers were probably descended 

 from agricultural or semi-agricultural villagers who sought protec- 

 tion against enemies, and the control of land and water through 

 aggregation in communities.... Locally the ancient villages of 

 Canyon de Chelly are known as Aztec ruins, and this designation 

 is just so far as it implies relationship with the aborigines of 

 moderately advanced culture in Mexico and Central America, 

 though it would be misleading if regarded as indicating essential 

 difference between the ancient villagers and their modern descend- 

 ants and neighbours still occupying the pueblos 1 ." 



1 i6th Ann. Report, p. xciv. 



