THE AMERICAN MIGRATION 335 



The wide region east of the ranges of the great Rocky and Cascade moun- 

 tains, and west of the Allcghanies, traversed by the mighty waters of the 

 Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, and their tributaries, this region, the proper home 

 of the mound-buihlers, preserves no trace whatever of an immigration or emigra 

 tion. The smooth prairie, bel(juging lo a lacustrian formation,! embosoms only 

 those enigmatical hillocks of earth which remain as yet the sole monuments of 

 a widespread but vanished people. Nevertheless, it is more than probable that 

 from hence the first emigrants moved towards the south. These lake regions, 

 in tbeir southern part, reach the latitude of 42° north, and according to Hum- 

 boldt, the mysterious Aztlan, whence tradition al eges the Aztec races to have 

 issued. t is not to be sought further south than the same latitude. In still higher 

 latitudes appears the Esquimaux Mith his karaht language, wholly distinct 

 from the rest of the American idioms, as his physical structure also varies from 

 that of the other American autochthones, whence the Esquimaux is properly to 

 be identified with the polar man, the original and peculiar occupant of the arctic 

 circum-polar regions of all parts of the world.* It may be assumed, therefore, 

 with reasonable probability, that the region from which the migration proceeded 

 is to be found between the limits of the karalit dialect on the north and the 42° 

 of north latitude on the south. Without deducing consequences from this, I 

 must yet signaHze the singular fact that the tract of Asia in which lies the 

 probable point of exit of the migration of the old continent, between the great 

 wall, namely, on the south, and the Amour river on the north, falls with nearly 

 mathematical exactness under the same geographical degrees of latitude (the 

 southern boundary coincides within 30') and the same climatic conditions as that 

 of America. May there not be herein some circumstantial confirmation of my 

 above proposed theory respecting the original causes of the respective migra- 

 tions ? 



Although in the luxuriant pastures of this region no traces of the path fol- 

 lowed remain, yet I am of opinion that observation of the geographical condi- 

 tions of the land may guide us to a knowledge of its course. It may be assumed 

 with certainty that such a migration always follows the most commodious con- 

 formations of the country, avoiding all obstacles which would oppose themselves 

 to the easy transit of the great human multitude. Thus we see in Europe the 

 advancing hordes first sweep unimpeded over the level steppes and gentle slopes 

 of Sarmatia, then appear on the Danube, and, following the valley of that stream 

 as the easiest route, penetrate into the heart of middle Europe and to the gates 

 of Italy. In fact, the earlier Celts had before chosen this commodious road for 

 their migration. If, then, it is permitted us to conclude from analogy, which is 

 no uncertain guide Avhen like causes operate under like conditions, the popu- 

 lations of the co})per age of America, which had already dawned in the region 

 of the lakes, would have followed the valleys of the Ohio and Mississippi, and 

 then have directed their steps through the present States of Louisiana and 

 Texas, probably along, the edge of the gentle acclivity which, under the name 

 of the Sierra Guadalupe, stretches from the Rio Grande to the Rid Brazos, to- 

 wards the banks of the great Rio Giande del Norte. 



There are many indications, moreover, Avhich lead us to believe that this was 

 not the only route by which the northern tribes made their way to the south. 

 A part of them seem to have become detached in the Mississippi valley, and to 

 have projected themselves towards the southeast into Florida, the seat of a 

 higher civilization, whence they eventually proceeded to Cuba and Yucatan; 



t According to the researches of Professor Alex. Winchell, (Silliman's Ameiicau Journal 

 of Science and Arts, November, lt'64. No. 114.) 



X Sec, as regards this, Humboldt, I'ucs des Cordillhrcs in different places. 



* M. CI. Markham, secretary of the Geograpliical Societj' of London, delivered, 27th 

 February, 186.^, a discourse '"on the origin and migrations of the Greenland Esquiiuanx," 

 in v.hicii he supposes them to have proceeded Irom Upper Asia ! So 1 have read, at least, 

 in au account ot the discourse, the original of which I have not been able to see. 



