58 
TRANSACTIONS OP THE TEXAS ACADEMY OF SCIENCE. 
of the Anahuac races. Without entering, then, into a discussion of 
problematical questions, permit me to relate briefly the story of these 
latter people, especially, for the present at least, that of the remarkable 
Toltecs, considered as the most ancient of the civilized Mexican nations. 
History tells us that the Toltecs were among the first of the ambulent 
tribes to traverse the country and penetrate the beautiful and picturesque 
land of Analiuac. Other tribes followed, or preceded them, such as the 
Chichimecs, the Colhuas , the Acolhuas, the Tlaxcaltecs , the Chiapanecs, 
the Zapotecs , the Olmecs , the Huastecs, the Otomies , the Tarases, the 
Matlatzincs, and others, the principal one of all these being that which 
formed, in the course of time, the most famous and powerful Empire of 
this Continent, and which, as you well know, succumbed finally to the 
Spanish Conquest. I refer to the Aztecs or true Mexicans. 
The Toltecs lived within the limits of the territory situated on the 
northern part of the country, in a city founded, built and called by them 
Tlapallam or Huehuetlapallam of the Tollan kingdom. Their chief oc¬ 
cupation had been the tilling of the land and the working of metals. 
They were especially advanced in agriculture. 
The Toltecs, in this seclusion, lived many years of prosperity in 
Huehuetlapallam and other neighboring towns, but as the demands of 
their ever increasing population became greater and greater, they re¬ 
solved to remove farther on towards the South. 
After wandering hither and thither for several years, and having met 
with various experiences, they came across a better country where they 
resolved to settle, founding towards the year 552 the city of Tlalpallan- 
conco or the small Tlapallam. Engaged in their favorite occupation, 
agriculture, that afforded them the principal means of support, the Tol¬ 
tecs continued to live in their new abode for a period of three years, at 
the end of which, under pressing circumstances, and especially through 
the advice of their wise and honored prophet Huemac or Huematzin, they 
again proceeded on their southern journey in their eager desire of find¬ 
ing the promised land.* 
According to Huematzin (the word signifying “big hands,” and also 
figuratively “intelligent, wise and powerful”), their chief adviser, the 
existence near by of a fierce and warlike tribe, the Chichimecs, was a 
hindrance to their peace and prosperity. Besides, the future greatness 
of the Toltec family was to be found in a land situated farther on, where 
they could reign supreme and give rise to a happy and prosperous nation. 
Thus stimulated by the hopeful and eloquent words of the great Hue¬ 
matzin, the intelligent Indians, during the year 555, again abandoned 
* It may be of interest to learn that the Toltecs, at the beginning of their long 
pilgrimage, made vows of chastity, vows which were to hold good for a period of 
twenty-three years. The object of such step can be clearly understood, and it is 
said that they faithfully kept their pledged word. 
