of their construction, we are presented with the astonishing spectacle of a great race cultivating the earth and possessing many of the arts, diffused at an early period through an immense territory, three thousand miles in extent. Even up to the time of the discovery, most of this vast region was occupied by populous tribes, who were dependent upon agriculture for subsistence, were clothed, and in the enjoyment of regular systems of religion, and their own peculiar forms of government. From conquest and various causes, some sovereignties had increased more rapidly than others; but still, whether we are guided by the testimony of the Spanish invaders, or by the internal evidence yet existent in the ancient ruins, it is impossible not to trace, alike in their manners, customs and physical appearance, and in the general similitude observable in the character of their monuments, that they were all members of the same family of the human race, and probably of identical origin.

Clearly, then, it is a great error to suppose, that the Peruvian empire embraced within its limits all the civilized tribes. Indeed the Incas, themselves, acknowledged the existence, at Tiahuanaco, of ancient structures of more remote origin, than the era of the foundation of their empire; and which were confessedly the models of those, erected by them in their own dominions,—an admission fully proved by an examination of their edifices. This fact attaches great interest to the sacred lake of Titicaca, and its environs, which we are led to consider as an ancient, perhaps the most ancient, locality of South American civilization. It indicates also two epochs of the arts, one of remote antiquity, and the other of modern date; and exhibits, in that respect, a striking parallelism with Mexico.

PART II.

RESEARCHES INTO THE ORIGIN AND HISTORY OF THE RED RACE.

CHAPTER I.

COMPARISON OF THE ANCIENT MONUMENTS.

THE various topics of interest, connected with the history of the aborigines of America, are naturally resolved into two great divisions. Of these, the first includes several important questions relating to their history, since the original migration to this continent, and the second respects the solution of the problem of their origin; the first is confined, in its discussion, to a review of the ancient monuments which have been described, and to an examination of the traditions, languages, customs, and institutions of the respective tribes and nations, and the second involves a comparison with several of the nations of the eastern hemisphere. Many facts, however, are common links to the chain of each investigation, and it is impossible, therefore, to comprehend their full force, in either case, until the argument in relation to both is finally determined.

Having, at this point, examined the ancient ruins, in a manner too general perhaps to present a graphic description,

but, it is hoped, with a minuteness sufficient for the comprehension of their style and character, we are led to inquire, whether they present any indications of having proceeded from the same. race. It has already been seen that they appear to be capable of an arrangement into three groups; those found in the United States composing one; those in Mexico and the adjacent states constituting another; and the third consisting of such as have been discovered in South America. It is true, that each of these three leading divisions embraces the productions of art of many distinct nations, differing, as it is reasonable to anticipate, in various minor and unimportant details; but we still find striking analogies which indicate their common origin. In a comparison of the groups themselves, the same remark is applicable, and while we discern much that appears peculiar and original in the arts and civilization of each, there are, also, certain decided marks of a primitive connection, between these three great families,-just such traces of relationship, indeed, as might be presumed would have survived, after the lapse of many ages since their separation.

The style of architecture, among semi-civilized nations, depends greatly upon the materials which abound in their territory; and even with the same people, a change often takes place in the aspect and formation of their structures, produced by revolutions, political causes, or a migration from one district to another of a more or less favorable character. This may be observed in Egypt and India, as well as in America, and may serve to explain such differences as manifestly exist between the ancient edifices in the United States, Mexico, and South America. In view, then, of the very remote period at which the original separation of the aborigines occurred, and of the

physical peculiarities distinguishing the particular districts into which they proceeded, in the progress of this inquiry we should have constant reference to the natural aspect of each locality, and should prefer a comparison of the most ancient monuments, and such as, from their connection with religion, were the least exposed to change and innovation.

Near lake Titicaca, on the plains of Tiahuanaco, in Peru, are the remains of what has been generally esteemed as the most ancient temple in South America, and which was religiously copied by the Incas, in their sacred edifices: and according to the authorities, it was an enormous terraced pyramid, faced with stone, and dedicated to the Creator of the universe. The Temple of the Sun at Pachacamac was built upon an artificial hill or mound. At other places, in the same country, structures which have been denominated fortresses, upon uncertain conjecture, were apparently built in the same terraced style. The temple at Diezmo was elevated, and approached by means of a flight of steps on two sides; the "fortress" at Cannar was a building erected upon an oval platform of earth, supported by two terraces, the axes of which were in the direction of the cardinal points; the "fortresses" at Huamalies were hills regularly terraced to their summits; the same was the case with the mount which supported the "palace” at Patavilca; and we find similar terraced hills, even in Chile. If some of these were religious structures, consecrated to the Deity, or to the Sun, we may regard them as the remains of those magnificent "Temples of the Sun," spoken of by the early authors, or at least as the terraced pyramids, partly or wholly artificial, which supported those sacred edifices.

In Mexico and the neighboring states, we know that the