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terested to-night in the serpent myths of Egypt. Some time since I read 
an account of the Scandinavian mythology, and almost the identical picture 
is there presented which we find in the 23rd section of this paper The 
Scandinavian, like the Egyptian mythology, represented a lake with the 
evil spirit under the form of a serpent, and the gods in conflict with that 
serpent. Thor is in conflict with the serpent Midgar on a lake ; the serpent 
rises and nearly overturns the boat in which he is. The circumstance is 
interesting as showing how, apart from Egypt, in remote periods of time 
and in different portions of the globe, we have a reproduction of the same 
myth. It is an extraordinary piece of evidence of the unity of the human 
race, and of the .common origin of these myths as drawn from one centre— 
the Word of God. With reference to the same subject of comparative 
mythology and serpent myths, it may be interesting to you for me to read an 
extract from a work by Squier, entitled Serpent Symbol in America. He gives 
a remarkable account of one of the traditions of the Lenappi Indians, and 
describes a great conflict between Manabozho, the presiding genius of the 
tribe, and the Spirit of Evil represented as a large serpent. The words are 
as follows : — . 
“One day, returning home from a long journey, Manabozho, the Great 
Teacher of the Alonquins, missed his cousin who lived with him. He called 
his name, but received no answer. He looked around on the sand for the 
track of his feet, and there for the first time discovered the trail of the great 
serpent, Meshekenabek, the Spirit of Evil. Then he knew that his cousin 
had been seized by his great enemy. He armed himself and followed on his 
track ; passed the great river ; crossed over mountains to the shores of the 
deep lake where he dwelt. The bottom of the lake was filled with evil 
spirits, his attendants and companions. In the centre of them _ he saw 
Meshekenabek himself, coiling his volumes around his hapless cousin. His 
head was red as with blood, and his eyes glowed like fire. Manabozho looked 
on this and vowed vengeance. He directed the clouds to disappear from the 
heavens, the winds to be still, and the air to become stagnant over the lake, 
and bade the sun to shine on it fiercely, in order that his enemy might be 
drawn forth from the cool shadows of the trees. By-and-by the water 
became troubled, and bubbles rose to the surface, for the rays of the sun 
penetrated to the horrible brood within its depths. The commotion increased, 
and the hot waves dashed wildly against the rocks on its shore. Soon 
Meshekenabek, the great serpent, emerged slowly to the surface and moved 
towards the shore. Manabozho, who had transformed himself into the 
stump of a tree, then silently drew an arrow from his quiver and aimed at 
the heart of his enemy. The howl of the monster shook the mountains, for 
he was mortally wounded.” 
This is an instance gained in another and still more distant part of 
the world, among the rude tribes of North America, where the serpent myth 
crops up in a way that one would least expect, and in a manner analogous 
to that of Egypt. Here is a copy of a picture of the Judgment-hall of 
Osiris from the very papyrus of which Mr. Cooper has been speaking— that at 
Turin ; but instead of explaining it myself, I shall ask him to do so for you. 
