306 



We may be struck with the extreme differ- 

 ence in the seven languages, in which we have 

 just given the cardinal numbers. The American 

 languages are as distinct from each other, as 

 they are from the Tartar tongues . This want of 

 analogy ought not, however, to be alleged as a 

 proof against the opinion, that the American 

 nations have had ancient communications with 

 eastern Asia. The different groups of Tarta- 

 rian nations vary as much in this respect. The 

 Oigours, who, two ages before our era, emi- 

 grated from the banks of the Selinga toward 

 the elevated plain of Turfan, in the latitude of 

 43° 30', speak a language differing more from 

 that of the Mantchous, than the German from 

 the Latin. When tribes of the same origin are 

 separated during a long series of ages, by seas 

 and vast deserts, their idioms preserve but a 

 very small number of roots and forms, that are 

 common to each other. 



In the same manner as the Mexicans, speak- 

 ing of the year of a cycle, placed the cardinal 

 numbers ce, ome, jei, before the names of the 

 four hieroglyphics rabbit, cane, flint, and house? 

 they joined in their paintings the signs of these 

 numbers to the signs of the years. The mode 

 was the same as that employed to distinguish 

 the cycles or ligatures. As the periodical series 

 of the numbers had only thirteen terms, it was 



