~ MEXICAN MYTHOLOGY. | 79 
-» At a later period, particularly after the religion of the Druids had ceased 
to exist in Gaul, we find that the mistletoe was also introduced into the 
religious systems of various Germanic nations (pl. 12, fig. 18), and it sus- 
tained itself until banished by Christianity, with the rest of the system to 
which it belonged. 
VU. THE MYTHOLOGY OF THE MEXICANS. 
The Mexican system of mythology was probably a fusion of the religion 
of the primitive inhabitants, with the doctrines introduced by immigrant 
nations, particularly the Azteks. The latter came in the year 1160 from 
the north, and traversing different countries, finally settled within the terri- 
tory of Mexico, of which they became after some time the rulers. It followed 
as a matter of course that the religion of the conquerors was soon engrafted 
upon and partially supplanted that of the conquered. We know therefore 
nothing of the creed of the primitive inhabitants of Mexico except. what 
can be gleaned from their mythology, as it was taught under the adminis- 
tration of the Azteks. 
~The great doctrine of this system was that there is one supreme invisible 
being, lord and creator of all. This supreme intelligence was never wor- 
shipped, for he was deemed too holy and lofty to be addressed by mortal 
men. He was never represented by images, but was called Zot] (god), 
Lpalnemoani (he by whom we live), and Z'loque Nahuaque (he who has all 
in himself). To him no temples were ever erected as to the lower gods, 
who were considered emanations from him. 
The gods which the Mexicans worshipped were divided into two ranks, 
the higher and the lower, but all were considered the servants of the 
supreme being. 
The chief of the thirteen higher gods was Zezcatlipoca, the soul of the 
universe, the creator of the visible world, who rewards the good and 
punishes the bad. 
Next to him in importance was uitzilopoctly or Vitziliputeli, who was 
the chief god of war, and patron god of the Mexicans. Two of his brothers, 
also gods of war, were subject to his commands. 
Every element had also its presiding deity. Thus we find a god of the 
air, who inhabited lofty mountains, where the spirits of the air and the hills 
executed his orders; a god and goddess of water, who dwelt near the highest 
springs, surrounded by serving water spirits; a god of fire, to whom at 
table the first morse] and the first draught were offered, by throwing them 
into the fire; and finally a goddess of the earth. This prolific system 
acknowledged gods for everything, arts, sciences, natural productions, and 
passions. 
The Mexicans believed also in the existence of spirits inferior to the gods, 
but with great power to do good or harm. The bad spirits were represented 
by ugly, uncouth figures, and the house gods by pretty little statues. The 
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