RELIGION. 
105 
the UeJdj a pretty little black, white, and yellow bird, with 
its colors remarkably distinct ; if it sings on the right hand 
it is a favorable omen, if on the left a contrary one : if it 
sings a full range of its notes, however, it is favorable, 
although on the wrong side. 
In summing up the subject of the Polynesian religion, 
the probable source from which it was derived, and the way 
by which it came, whether via Suez or Panama, much 
may be said for each. The older way from the east 
has strong evidence in its favor, especially as applying to 
the black race and its peculiar character of religion ; but 
still there is much also to be advanced in behalf of that 
. from the west, which is the shortest and most direct. It 
certainly appears to have been the route by which no small 
portion of those races which peopled the eastern sides of 
America arrived ; and it is especially to be observed, that 
the grand centre of American civilization was seated on the 
Isthmus. It was there the arts chiefly flourished, the finest 
monuments of antiquity found, and in the greatest abundance. 
The lofty monolithic pillars with their elaborate and well- 
executed sculptures seem to claim some affinity with the Punic 
ones of Scandinavia, and the more advanced civilization of 
Phoenicia. This applies with equal force to the character of 
their religion. Much of it may have been derived from the 
western coast of Africa, as that of the serpent and fetish 
tree; and much also from those earliest navigators of the 
ocean, as that of the grove and high places. 
The word Teocalli has a singular resemblance, both in 
sound and signification, to that of Deocolle ; Teo or Tio seems 
to run throughout Polynesia, being Tii in the Sandwich, 
Friendly and other isles. In New Zealand it is found in 
Tiki, and in Japan in Dairi. That the north-eastern parts 
of America were early visited from Europe, there can be no 
doubt. It must, therefore, be concluded, though from Eastern 
Asia much has been derived, that still the two grand routes 
alluded to, have the strongest evidence in their favor, the 
different races having thus arrived and brought their religion 
with them. 
