CHARACTERISTICS OF THE CALMUCKS. 427 



he had frequent quarrels both with the sun and the moon, and some- 

 times he fought with them. During these duels there was an eclipse 

 upon the earth. 



The stars, likewise, are equally great globes of crystal, inhabited 

 by spirits. One only among all the stars the pole-star, called the 

 " pile of gold "is fixed. All the others, to the number of 225,000,000, 

 are transposed by aerial horses from one place to another. The fall 

 of a star signifies the death of its inhabiting spirit, whose soul then 

 descends into the abyss to animate another body. 



The change of seasons is produced by a winged dragon. During 

 the whole of winter it is in repose, lying upon the seven seas. In sum- 

 mer it rises up with the vapors, and ascends toward the upper strata 

 of the atmosphere. The creature which rides this dragon excites it 

 from time to time to thunder and to vomit flames. From time to time 

 also he shoots from heaven fiery and deadly arrows. 



As to the past destinies of the human race, the Buddhists teach 

 thus. Men, having tasted the fruit shime, could not any longer do 

 without nutriment; and, since the shime could not suffice for them 

 all, they began to feed upon terrestrial honey and some vegetables. 

 The fear of the want of food has forced every one to think only of him- 

 self, and to seek to provide for the future. Indigent people began to 

 envy those who were richer. The discord which arose among men 

 forced them to choose chiefs charged with their well-being. These 

 chiefs abused the confidence placed in them, and, supporting them- 

 selves upon their power, changed into despots. 



In proportion as iniquities multiplied among men, their longevity 

 decreased more and more, and at length arrived at its present degree. 

 During this period of continual calamities, many deities, clothed in 

 human form, descended from time to time upon the earth, and preached 

 penitence and correction. There were four of them ; and the last is 

 recognized as the founder of Buddhism. He taught his doctrine to 

 sixty nations, each one of which understood it differently, which has 

 occasioned the origin of so many different religions that prevail upon 

 the earth. 



As to what concerns the future destinies of the human race, they 

 teach that the stature and the age of men will sink by degrees, and 

 that there will come a time at which human stature will not exceed 

 twenty-eight inches and a half. Then each child will speak immedi- 

 ately after its birth, and the next day it will be capable of undertak- 

 ing its own management. They will marry at five years of age, and 

 will not live longer than ten years. The human race having arrived 

 at such a state will be the sign that the moment of universal destruc- 

 tion is at hand. Seven years before this cataclysm, the earth will be- 

 come completely sterile, and the greater part of mankind will die. 

 Afterward a great number of swords will be cast down from heaven, 

 which will put to death the rest of the survivors, excepting a single 



