1 40 Distinctive characteristics of the 



an analogy, moreover, which is not of an indefinite kind, but consists 

 for the most part in peculiar conjugational modes of modifying the 

 verbs, by the insertion of syllables. * It has been insisted by some 

 writers that this analogy proves the cognate relation of the Eski- 

 maux and Indians. This, however is a mere postulate ; for from the 

 evidence already adduced in respect to the ethnographic difference 

 between these people, we have a right to infer that the resemblance 

 in their respective languages has not been derived by the greater 

 from the lesser source, — not by the Americans from the Eskimaux, 

 but the reverse : for the Asiatics having arrived at various and 

 distant periods, and in small parties, would naturally, if not unavoid- 

 ably, adopt more or less of the language of the people among 

 whom they settled, until their own dialects finally merged in those 

 of the Chepewyan and other Indians who bound them on the 

 south. 



The Eskimaux, it may be remarked, at the present time extend 

 much further south, and are much more numerous on the western 

 than on the eastern coast of America, being found as low down as 

 Mount St. Elias ; south of which, contrary to what is observed 

 on the opposite side of the continent, they become more or less 

 blended with the Indian tribes, and have imparted to the latter some 

 portion of their mechanical ingenuity. This difference in the extent 

 and influence of the western and eastern Eskimaux, is explained by 

 the proximity of the former to Asia ; and a redundant population 

 has even forced some of them back to the parent hive, whither they 

 have carried a dialect derived from the cognate tribes of America. 

 Such are the Tsutchchi, who thus form a link between the Polar na- 

 tions of the two continents. 



It is a common opinion, also, that America has been peopled by 

 the proper Mongols of central and eastern Asia ; and volumes have 

 been written on supposed affinities, physical, moral and intellectual, 

 to sustain this hypothesis. We have already glanced at the Mon- 

 golian features, as seen, though rudely and extravagantly deve- 

 loped, in the Polar nations ; but there are some characters so preva- 

 lent as to pervade all the ramifications of the great Mongolian stock, 

 from the repulsive Calmuck to the polished and more delicately 

 featured Chinese. These are the small, depressed, and seemingly 



