A Botanical anil Economic Study. 115 



for their sculpturings are bold and strong, as the facades of 

 the edifices, covered with curious designs, attest. Their 

 boats were seaworthy, and a trade was established between 

 Cuba and Yucatan, for Columbus was shown wax from 

 Yucatan, and was told about the countries toward the sunset. 

 Cacao beans and shells served as media of exchange. They 

 had an extensive literature ; they used tablets and covered the 

 walls of their structures with hieroglyphics. " Their speech 

 forms one of the rare examples of an American language 

 possessing vitality enough not only to maintain its own 

 ground, but actually to force itself on European settlers and 

 supplant their native speech." Berendt states "that whole 

 families of pure white blood do not know Spanish, but use 

 Maya exclusively." The calendar attracts attention, and 

 appears to have been the basis for that of the Nahuas. They 

 were agriculturists. Maize, beans and pepper were culti- 

 vated, and bees were domesticated, from which both wax and 

 honey were collected. This nation extended over the penin- 

 sula of Yucatan and into Guatemala and Tabasco. 



The Chibchas extended in both directions from the Isthmus 

 of Panama, and thus have representatives in both North and 

 South America. Most of the tribes in New Granada were of 

 this stock. The Chibchas proper were highly cultured. 

 Their home was one of the most southern of the entire 

 family. A number of tribes in the States of Panama and 

 Costa Rica were probably branches of this nation. Agricul- 

 ture was pursued, the produce being maize, potatoes, yucca 

 and cotton. Irrigation was practiced to some extent. It is 

 doubtful whether they had any means of writing. 



The Kechuas next claim our attention. There are many 

 reasons for believing that the tribes comprised in this stock 

 appeared in South America at the extreme north of the 

 region they later occupied, near the great trade highway 

 across the Isthmus of Panama. Their seat seems to have 

 been near the present city of Quito. Later the Incas extended 

 their sway to the thirtieth degree of south latitude. The 

 Peruvians were highly cultured. They were governed by an 

 Inca, or war chief, elected by a council of the gentes. The 



