306 
We may be struck with the extreme diffei” 
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 Mantchoiis, 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 onlv thirteen terms, it was 
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