ORDER II. BIMANA. 373 
the poorest, but at the same time the least dependent; for they have few 
wants, and can supply those few without assistance. Those who live nearer 
the whites have more of the comforts of life, but are no whit more civilized 
or happier; for their enjoyments are not multiplied. We may say, that if 
the Indian trade of the Mississippi were interrupted for five years, all the 
aborigines of that quarter would be in danger of perishing, as they depend 
on the whites for clothing and weapons. The Indians ean never be danger- 
ous, as there is no union among them. They have no letters, unless we 
count a few rude hieroglyphics as such. On the whole, we may speak of 
them as a brave, reckless, generous, and unfortunate people. The Indians 
in the southern part of North America have been subject to the Spaniards, 
and are now dependent on the Republics of Mexico and Gautemala, if we 
except some tribes, such as the Apaches, the Nabajoas, and the Mosquitos. 
The independent tribes of the north of Mexico resemble those of the United 
States in manners and customs. Living by the chase and plunder, and pro- 
vided with fleet horses, they harass the frontiers and hunters. On the coasts 
of Yucatan, the Indians live by hunting, fishing, and the trade in dye-wood. 
The extensive ruins of cities in Mexico prove the former extent of its popu- 
lation. The natives possess great muscular force, are well formed, and live 
to a great age. It is difficult to form an opinion of the character of a peo- 
ple which has been so long subjected to the most cruel oppression. At the 
time of the conquest, the rich inhabitants of Mexico fell a prey to the 
rapacity of the Spaniards; and the Aztec priests, who were the depositaries 
of all the historical knowledge of the country, became the victims of 
fanaticism.” 
The Mexican Indians are grave, melancholy, and silent; their music and 
dances display the same character. The Indians of South America do not 
differ materially, in their physical characteristics, from those of the northern 
half of the continent, and, except those of Peru and Chili, are without civ- 
ilization. In the extensive regions formerly belonging to Spain, they may 
be divided into two classes — the independent Indians, or Indios bravos, and 
those who have been reduced to submission. The former are entirely stran- 
gers to agriculture ; support themselves by the chase and fishing; some of 
them eat ants, and lizards, and even a kind of mud. The natives of Peru, 
descendants of the ancient inhabitants of the empire of the Incas, have, as 
well as those of Columbia, been emancipated since those countries have 
delivered themselves from the Spanish yoke. Their services were important 
during the war of the colonies against the mother country. They are, in 
general, well made and healthy. They are superstitious, wearing amulets 
on different parts of their bodies. They make a bitter, intoxicating drink 
‘from a certain plant, and use poisoned arrows. Their villages are fortified, 
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