THE IDEAS AND SOURCES OF MYTH. 45 



mythical beliefs and associations, but this same con- 

 dition of thought reacted on all the phenomena of 

 nature, and on ah 1 social facts. For if, as we have 

 already observed, more rational empirical notions, 

 and a certain rude form of scientific faculty made its 

 appearance arnid those mythical ideas which were 

 still persistent, its various forms were not animated, 

 sustained, and preserved by myth. Hence it is evident 

 that the basis of the genesis of sociology as a whole 

 consists in myth, which sanctions its acts and estab- 

 lishes their relations to each other. The immense 

 importance of these studies, even for the right under- 

 standing of the laws and historical evolution which 

 guide and govern sociology, is evident from this fact. 



It must not be supposed that such a vast and pro- 

 found incarnation of myth in social facts is peculiar to 

 the primitive ages ; it persists and is maintained in all 

 the historical phases of civilization, even of the higher 

 races, although sometimes in a dormant form. Even 

 in our days, any one who considers our modes of 

 society, the organism, customs, ceremonies, and 

 manifold and complex institutions of modern life, will 

 readily see that religious influences and their rites 

 initiate, sanction, and accompany every individual and 

 social fact, although civil and religious societies are 

 becoming ever more distinct. 



Since, therefore, myth is a constant form of 

 sociology, completely invests it, and accompanies and 

 animates its transmutations do\vn to our days, every- 



