96 BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY - Epune. 44 
line running from the Rio Chagres on the north coast to Chorrera 
on the Pacific coast; on the east and south it was separated from the 
Choco territory by the Rio Cacarica, the “‘sierra del Espiritu Santo,”’ 
and the Rio Sambu. As the lines run from coast to coast, the region 
is easily indicated. 
With Cuna end the languages of isthmian America on the south, the 
next language (Choco) being included geographically in the conti- 
nent of South America. 
ETHNIC DIVIDING LINE BETWEEN NORTH AMERICA AND 
SOUTH AMERICA 
It has long been conceded that the linguistic element (if it may be 
termed so) of South,America, at the time of the Spanish Conquest, 
extended into the southern sections of Central Amerida. Brinton says 
(3 : 164): 
The mountain chain which separates Nicaragua from Costa Rica, and the headwaters 
of the Rio Frio from those of the more southern and eastern streams, is the ethnographic 
boundary of North America. Beyond it [going south] we come upon tribes whose 
linguistic affinities point towards the southern continent. Such are the Talamancas, | 
Guaymies, Valientes, and others. 
So far as the present writer is aware, however, Sapper (1:48) is the 
first to lay down definitely this dividing line on a map. Beginning 
at the extreme northwestern corner of Honduras, where it meets the 
bay, it runs thence southeast almost in a direct line to the eastern 
end of Lake Nicaragua; and thence in nearly the same direction to 
the head of the Gulf of Dulce on the southern coast of Costa 
Rica. This demarcation, allowing the following modification, is 
accepted: Carry the line from the east end, or near the east end, 
of Lake Nicaragua almost directly south to the mouth of the Gulf of 
Nicoya, the tribes east of this lime—the Jicaque, Paya, the Ulvan 
tribes, Carib, Mosquito, Rama, and all the tribes of Costa Rica 
(except the Orotina), and those of Panama—being considered as 
belonging ethnically to the southern continent. Brinton’s dividing 
line was laid down before he had discovered the correct relation of the 
Rama. He assigned the Jicaque, Paya, and Ulvan group to the 
northern continent, but, in the judgment of the writer, Sapper’s 
division is the better one. On this point the only question in doubt 
is, whether or not the Xincan, Lencan, Matagalpan, and Subtiaban 
tribes, west of the dividing line thus drawn, should not also be added 
to the South American list. 
