FARABEE— THE SOUTH AMERICAN INDIAN. 285 



became agriculturists but added to their food supply shellfish from 

 the sea. Many large refuse heaps mark the centers of occupation. 

 The steep coast range of mountains prevented them from passing 

 into the interior where other cultures are found. 



Along the north coast from the Amazon to the isthmus repre- 

 sentatives of the same people occupy the savannahs and the forested 

 interior. Here the savannah coast tribes with their broader view 

 and easy communication in every instance have developed the higher 

 culture. 



While the coast peoples have had every variety of climatic condi- 

 tion due to the change of latitude from the equator to the most 

 southern inhabited point in the world those of the mountains have 

 had much the same variety due to change in elevation from a 

 tropical sea level to the highest habitat of man. The mountains on 

 account of their great height, hard conditions and lack of arable land 

 served at first only as a barrier to deflect and to separate the migrat- 

 ing peoples. After a time the pressure of the populations in the 

 lowland valleys on the west forced the people up the slopes and into 

 the high valleys and plateaus between the Cordilleras. Here they 

 found the Quinua, the oca, and the potato, the hardiest and most 

 useful food plants for cold climates. On the high plateaus they 

 found among other animals the Llama, one of the most useful 

 animals known to man. It offered its flesh for food, its coat for 

 clothing, its hide for harness, and its back for burdens. The high 

 valley dwellers became agriculturists and traders Avhile their neigh- 

 bors were first hunters, then herdsmen. The cold, raw winds sweep- 

 ing across the broad open plateaus drove the people to the leeward 

 of the mountains for protection where they formed small communi- 

 ties, each herdsman having his separate corral. These people while 

 living in these remote places were in trade relations with the agri- 

 culturists in the valleys. They had a constant food supply in their 

 herds and while conditions of life were somewhat severe they were 

 secure, contented and happy. The broad horizon and invigorating 

 climate stimulated thought. Their occupations gave them leisure for 

 contemplation. So here among the shepherds music and myth 

 reached their highest development. 



In the center of this high plateau area is located a very large 



