MIQEATION OF TRIBES. 
361 
Versed. Such were the journeys of the Toltec and Aztur 
race m the high plains of Mexico, from the sixth to the 
eleventh century of our era; such probably was also the 
movement of nations by which the petty tribes of Canada 
were grouped together. As the immense country between 
ne equator and the eighth degree of north latitude forms one 
pontmuous forest, the hordes were there dispersed by follow- 
ing the branchings of the rivers, and the nature of the land 
compelled them to become more or less agriculturists, 
fmch is the labyrinth of these rivers, that families settled 
einselves without knowing what race of men lived nearest 
j e spot. In Spanish Guiana a mountain, or a forest half a 
mague broad, sometimes separates hordes who could not meet 
less than two days by navigating rivers. In open coun- 
ms, or m a state of advanced civilization, communication 
y rivers contributes powerfully to generalize languages 
fn> !U / lerS 'h. a P°^i ca l institutions ; but in the impenetrable 
rests ot the torrid zone, as in the first rude condition 
° ur species, rivers increase the dismemberment of great 
muons, favour the transition of dialects into languages that 
Ppear to us radically distinct, and keep up national hatred 
'm mistrust. Betw een the banks of the Caura and the 
adamo everything bears the stamp of disunion and weak- 
er? 8 ’ ^ en av0 ‘^> because they do not understand each 
wr ; they mntally hate, because they mutually fear. 
w "hen we examine attentively this wild part of America, 
m fancy ourselves transported to those primitive times 
ae a the earth was peopled by degrees, and we seem to be 
e csent at the birth of human societies. In the old world 
for ? 6e tl ! at P ast ° ral Kfe has prepared the hunting nations 
Pro»^ ri0 - L ^ ture ‘ ^' ew " orfh we seek in vain these 
gressive developments of civilization, these intervals of 
Vem'rV heSU sta S es m the life of nations. The luxurv of 
thei?- 10n em harrasses the Indians in the chase; and in 
Watt rivers > resembling arms of the sea, the depth of the 
K p - prevents fishing during whole months. Those 
of t , es °f ruminating animals, that constitute the wealth 
j} 1(; /I nationa of the Old World, are wanting in the New 
do m . / on an( i ihe musk-ox have never been reduced to a 
dot s l a ^ e > ihe breeding of llamas and guanacos has 
created the habits of pastoral life. In the temperate 
