ON MATTER AND FORCE. 49 



universal fire or universal reason which en- 

 compasses the heaven and rules all. 



Democritus maintained that the vital prin- 

 ciple and mind were absolutely identical. 



If we look at the belief of savages, we find 

 that the Maoris worship departed ancestors, 

 because their spirits could exercise vengeance 

 and inflict injuries (after the fashion of witches). 

 The chief had his bow and arrows buried with 

 him, that he might go forth at night to his old 

 calling. He was made a god, and went to 

 battle for his kinsmen. He was hovering near 

 them in the hours of gloom, of peril and priva- 

 tion. He was spoken to as a familiar friend, 

 and was given offerings of betal < and tobacco, 

 and appeared personally in the sacred house to 

 the living chief of the tribe. 



The extent to which they separated and 

 personified their ideas of force is seen in the 

 fact that they supposed each disease was 

 caused by a different god, who resided in the 

 part affected. 



Livingstone says (p. 642) that some of the 

 southern tribes of Africa not only believe in 

 the transmigration of souls, but think that, 

 while persons are still living, they may enter 



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