250 NATURAL HISTORY OF 



deciphered with trust-worthy precision. The point of 

 primaeval departure, is, however, designated by the 

 names of Atzlan (the Eden, or land of nourishment), 

 and Huehuetlapallan, which has been interpreted, the 

 bright abode of ancestors, a region which certainly lay 

 in the north ; and, when coupled with the departure, 

 includes likewise the west. This region was certainly 

 not the valley of the river Gila, in California, notwith- 

 standing that a cognate language is still spoken there, 

 and that ruins of magnitude attest there was anciently 

 a people resident on the spot already in a progressive 

 state of civilization. It is probable, that this people 

 were the Astecans, who may have resided on the locality 

 until they had increased to a nation, and were forced to 

 depart by pressure from behind ; for sedentary nations 

 do not abandon cities and temples but by force, or by 

 the fear of foreign and unknown invaders, from whom 

 they expect no mercy. It is a curious coincidence of 

 time, that these great recorded migrations in America, 

 correspond sufficiently well with the same kind of mi- 

 gratory and invading wars in Asia, which precipitated 

 the Yuchi from Chinese Tahtary westward, and brought 

 the Hyatili or White Huns first to conquer Cabul and 

 Bactria ; being followed by true Mongolic nations till 

 their hordes established themselves beyond the Danube 

 and the Vistula. These are uncontrovertible signs of 

 the great expansion which the beardless stock then 

 made in north and eastern Asia ; and may well account 

 for clans of Caucasians, such as still have possession of 

 sundry mountain chains in China, taking refuge towards 



