426 ETHNOLOGY. 



Fins, aud Magyars. Another branch jn-obably took an easterly direc- 

 tion loaig before giving rise to the "Arctics," who first peopled North- 

 eastern Asia, and afterward crossed Behring's Straits, and passed into 

 America. 



Perhai^s the depressing influences of thousands of years had formed 

 a deteriorated branch in Asia, the descendants of which are still repre- 

 sented by the Esquimaux in the extreme north of America, while a 

 southern and more vigorous branch chose the more temperate parts of 

 North America, and spread in the course of time over the whole con- 

 tinent. In the extreme south this race was again modified by depressing- 

 natural influences similar to those which operated in the north. 



The aborigines of America difter, as we all know, in their languages, 

 and are divided into tribes 5 but the type of these tribes and the organic 

 structure of their languages are essentially the same. Only the Esqui- 

 maux differ from the general type, but their language is intimately 

 related to those of their southern neighbors. According to this view, 

 the wave of Indian i^opulation, which in the old world advanced from 

 east to west, must have taken a direction from north to south in the 

 new ; it is confirmed, indeed, by historical and mythical traditions, as 

 well as by the character of the remnants of civilization found as we 

 advance from north to south. 



Greater or less portions of the population, especially in Mexico and 

 Central America, seem, however, to have been in constant motion. 

 This mobility is the attribute of a nation of hunters, who drive the 

 existing population before them. Again, the migratory impulse, so to 

 speak, seems to belong to a certain period in the development of a peo- 

 ple. It is exemplified in our own Teutonic ancestors, whose impetuous 

 advance not only caused the downfall of the Eoman Empire of a thou- 

 sajjfd years' standing, but also involved the entire population of Europe 

 in its motion. 



Passing to the lelics of American civilization, it must be stated in 

 advance that the determination of their age, their order, and their whole 

 history is as yet much more difficult than that of European remains. 

 And this for two reasons : First, because of the very gradual devel- 

 opment of civilization. The form and material of utensils and weap- 

 ons remain the same during long intervals, and sometimes up to 

 the historical period, whence it happens that remains, differing in age, 

 perhaps, by thousands ©f years, can hardly be distinguished. Sec- 

 ondly, certain characteristic periods in the development of civiliza- 

 tion, such as the appearance of metallic utensils in Europe, by which a 

 classification might otherwise be effected, are wanting. Metals, espe. 

 cially copper, were long used in America ; they are found in the most 

 ancient deposits, while they are absent in the more recent; but the use 

 of copper is no proof of a more advanced civilization in America, since it 

 w^as for the most part employed in as rough a state as that of stone. 

 Pieces of copper were broken off" from the native blocks by means of 



