i 9 4 THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



comparison of the myths of the Indians with the myths of the 

 Israelites displays striking similarity and exhibits more clearly 

 than a mere statement of doctrines the likeness of the religions of 

 the two peoples. The likeness of the two collections of myths to 

 one another, and their comparison with similar collections from 

 other peoples, indicates that when the same events are represent- 

 ed as occnrring everywhere, they really occurred nowhere, but 

 were the mental conceptions of men in the same stage of intel- 

 lectual culture. 



It is not necessary to mention deluge legends common in all 

 countries where inundations have occurred, and only a general 

 interest attaches to the mythical culture hero. He was some- 

 times an inspired man, and sometinies a benevolent god in shape 

 of man, but in his more archaic forms he was a beast with human 

 metamorphoses. He taught all that is known of hunting, fishing, 

 the properties of plants, picture-writing, and indeed of every art, 

 and founded institutions and established religions. After his 

 achievements he generally disappeared with mystery, his actual 

 death being seldom established, leaving a hope of his return as a 

 triumphant benefactor. The legends relating to Michabo, Ios- 

 keha, Hiawatha, and Manabosho will occur to all special students 

 as showing their analogues in the biography of Moses. But the 

 point of peculiar interest is that the myths referred to are not 

 only similar generically, but that they are strikingly identical in 

 their minute details with those of the Israelites. A few of them 

 will be noticed. 



It will be understood that in all instances presented scrupulous 

 care has been taken to eliminate European influence and to obtain 

 assurance of the aboriginal and ancient origin of the legends. 



An Ojibwa tradition tells the adventures of eight, ten, and 

 sometimes twelve brothers, the youngest of whom is the wisest 

 and the most beloved of their father and especially favored by the 

 high powers. He delivers his brothers from many difficulties which 

 were brought about by their folly and disobedience. Particularly, 

 he supplies them with corn. A variant statue of Lot's wife who, 

 after escaping from the destruction of her village, was turned into 

 stone instead of salt, is still shown near the Mississippi River. 

 The Chahta have an elaborate story of their migrations in which 

 they were guided by a pole leaning in the direction which they 

 should take, and remaining vertical at each place where they 

 should encamp. A still closer resemblance to the guidance of the 

 Israelites in the desert by a pillar of fire is found in the legendary 

 migrations of the Tusayan, when indication was made by the 

 movement and the halting of a star. The Pai Utes were sustained 

 in a great march through the desert by water which continually 

 filled the magic cup given to the Sokus Waiunats in a dream, 



