RACIAL GROUPS — HOUGH. 641 



the Incas, had perfected the most complete political and military 

 organization known to have been formed among the American 

 aborigines. 



The Indians of the Amazons were somewhat further advanced than 

 those of the north. The stimulus of communication over the ex- 

 tensive water system of the Amazons was felt by these tribes. Along 

 these highways of travel there was also felt, though slightly, the 

 influence of the distant civilization of Peru, growing more evident 

 among the tribes on the upper affluents of the Amazons. 



In the South Temperate Zone of South America are found condi- 

 tions approaching those observed on the Plains in North America. 

 The tribes of Indians also exhibit characteristics due to this en- 

 vironment. On the great open grassy plains game was abundant 

 and herds of wild guanacos took the place of buffalo. The introduc- 

 tion of the horse also produced the phase of migration of freer 

 movement seen on the North American Plains. The Fuegian and 

 other tribes on the southern extremity of South America were rude 

 in culture and correspond in this respect with some of the sub-Arctic 

 tribes. 



DWELLING GROUP OF THE CARIB INDIANS. 

 BRITISH GUIANA. 



Tribes of the Carib and Arawak stocks having a similar culture 

 live in the forests along the streams in the Guianas. They build 

 large rectangular houses roofed with palm leaf and with one or 

 more sides covered with the same leaf. Within the house hammocks 

 are swung from post to post. Outdoor work consists of the grating, 

 pressing, sifting, and cooking of cassava, which is an important food 

 resource of these Indians, pottery making, wood carving, canoe mak- 

 ing, etc. Sometimes the Arawak build a conical cook house. The 

 tapir and other large animals are roasted on a wocden grid. (See 

 pi. 53.) 



FAMILY GROUP OF THE CARIBS. 



Various tribes of the Carib-Arawak stock live in the interior of 

 British Guiana, where they have only recently been visited by white 

 men. The country is densety forested and tropical and the products 

 and climate are like that of much of northern South America. The 

 tribes of a vast region therefore are in about the same degree of ad- 

 vancement, which is not very high, but is interesting as a type of 

 tropical culture, showing the great degree of repression exerted by 

 exuberance of vegetal growth. 



The group shows a warrior with blowgun; a woman and child 

 squeezing cassava, which we know as tapioca, in a primitive lever 

 press, the pressure being exerted on a tubular basket and the liquid 

 42803°— 22 41 



