THE RELIGION OF THE INCAS AND OF THE AZTECS. 153 
Four plants, existing in our midst, of the order Umbelliferae — 
the Samphire, Wild Carrot, Fennel, and Alexanders — were, we need 
hardly be reminded, referred to by Mr. Briggs in his interesting 
papers entitled " Queries in Local Topographical Botany." Iiuhia 
peregrina, wild Madder, yielding a deep red dye, is more common 
here than elsewhere in the United Kingdom. Kay noticed it 200 
years ago. The Gentians, Order Gentianacese, delighting in sandy 
soils, are rather absent from the Flora. Wild Chicory, Cichorium 
Inti/bus, is common. 
THE KELIGION OF THE INCAS AND OF THE 
AZTECS. 
SYLLABUS OF LECTURE BY REV. W. E. DARBY. 
(Read December 11th, 1884.) 
Romantic conquests of Cortes and Pizarro. Unique character of 
the empires overthrown ; their remarkable civilization and develop- 
ment. Their religions especially interesting to students of history, 
comparative religion, and man. Sui generis, yet having much in 
common with more ancient religions. The Mayas of Central 
America. Their cizilization. Relation to the Mexicans. Religious 
conceptions in common. The Az^ec Empire, in what sense existing 
at the time of Cortes' invasion. The Toltecs, Chichimecs, and 
Aztecs. Mexican mythology and deities. Tutelary gods. Legend 
of Quetzalcoatl. Its influence on the Spaniards' success. Minor 
deities. Human sacrifices. Temples. Sacerdotal and monastic 
institutions, eschatology, &c. Peru : its government a. theocracy. 
The Incas. Legend of their origin. Their hierocratic rule. Its 
relation to the Peruvian constitution and civilization. Material 
well-being of their subjects. Social and national life. Marriage, 
&c. Fall of the Incas. Capture of Atahualpa. Peruvian my- 
thology and deities. Gorgeous temples. Sacrifices, festivals, 
priesthood. Virgins of the sun. Future life, &c. General 
remarks : Comparative religion. Stages of religious faith. Posi- 
tion, from this standpoint, of these religions. Attempted reforms. 
Theory of their migration or importation untenable. Autoch- 
thonous, therefore. Testimony of comparative religion to the unity 
of human nature, &c. Conclusions. 
