A PROBLEM IN AMERICA^T ANTHROPOLOGY. 477 



elusion. Difference.s existed, it is true, but thev were not radical. 

 ITie Aztec civilization simply exhibited a more advanced development 

 of those primary ideas of civil and social life which were common to 

 the whole Indian family, and not their overthrow bv the substitution 

 of antagonistic institutions." 



After calling attention to the fact that a similar condition exists 

 among certain peoples of the Pacific Islands, he writes: 



''Whether this code of descent came out of Asia or originated upon 

 this continent is one of the questions incapable of proof; and it must 

 rest, for its solution, upon the weight of evidence or upon probable 

 induction. Its existence among American races whose languages are 

 radicallv different, and without any traditional knowledge among them 

 of its origin, indicates a very ancient introduction, and'^would seem to 

 point to Asia as the birthplace of the system." 



It would be interesting to follow the succeeding meetings of the 

 association and note the recurring presentation of views which the 

 quotations I have given show to have been most seriously discussed 

 over a generation ago. An historical review of the literature of 

 American anthropology during the present century would also be 

 interesting in this connection. It is probable, however, that a review 

 of this literature for the first half of the century would reveal the fact 

 that the writers, with here and there a notable exception, were inclined 

 to theorize upon insuflicient data and devoted little time to the accumu- 

 lation of trustworthy facts. The presentation and discussion of care- 

 fully observed facts can almost be said to have begun with the set-ond 

 half of the century, and this is the only part of the subject that now 

 commands serious attention. 



A reference to the very latest resume of this subject, as presented in 

 the History of the New World called America, by Edward J. Payne, 

 Vol. II., Oxford, 1899, is instructive here. In this volume Mr. Payne 

 expresses his belief in the antiquity and unity of the American tribes, 

 which he considers came from Asia in preglacial and glacial times, 

 when the northwestern corner of America was connected with Asia, 

 and when man '"as yet was distinguished from the inferior animals 

 only by some painful and strenuous form of articulate speech and the 

 possession of rude stone weapons and implements, and a knowledge of 

 the art of fire kindling. Such, it may be supposed, were the condi- 

 tions under which man inhabited both the Old and the New World in 

 the paleo-ethnic age. * * * Even when a geological change had 

 separated them [the continents] some intercourse by sea was perhaps 

 maintained — an intercourse which became less and less, until the 

 American branch of humanity l)ecame practically an isolated race, as 

 America itself has become an isolated continent" (Preface.) 



Mr. Payne discusses the growth of the languages of Americiu the 

 various social institutions and arts, and the migrations of thest> early 

 savao-es over the continent, north and south, during the many centuries 



