498 POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



given by the native suggest that to his mind the form of the design 

 is a result of attempts to represent by means of decorative art a certain 

 idea. We have seen that this can not be the true history of the design, 

 but that it probably originated in an entirely different manner. 

 What is true in the case of decorative art is true of other ethnic 

 phenomena. The historical explanation of customs given by the native 

 is generally a result of speculation, not by any means a true historical 

 explanation. The mythical explanation of rites and customs is sel- 

 dom of historical value, but is generally due to associations formed 

 in the course of events, while the early history of myths and rite must 

 be looked for in entirely different causes, and interpreted by different 

 methods. Native explanations of laws, of the origin of the form 

 of society, must have developed in the same manner, and therefore 

 can not give any clew in regard to historical events, while the associa- 

 tion of ideas of which they are the expression furnishes most valuable 

 psychological material. 



