MIGRATION OF TRIBES.
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versed. Such w e r e the j o u r n e y s o f the Toltec and A z t e c race in t h e high plains o f M e x i c o , from the sixth to the eleventh c e n t u r y o f o u r e r a ; such probably was also t h e movement o f nations by which the petty tribes of Canada were grouped together. A s the immense country between the equator and the eighth degree o f north latitude forms o n e c o n t i n u o u s forest, the hordes were there dispersed by following the branchings o f the rivers, and the nature o f the land compelled them to b e c o m e more or less agriculturists. Such is the labyrinth o f these rivers, that families settled themselves without k n o w i n g what race o f men lived nearest t h e spot. I n Spanish Guiana a mountain, o r a forest half a league broad, sometimes separates hordes w h o could not meet in less than t w o days b y navigating rivers. I n o p e n c o u n tries, or in a state o f advanced civilization, c o m m u n i c a t i o n b y rivers contributes powerfully to generalize languages, manners, and political i n s t i t u t i o n s ; but in the impenetrable forests o f the torrid zone, as in the first rude c o n d i t i o n o f o u r species, rivers increase the d i s m e m b e r m e n t o f great nations, favour the transition o f dialects into languages that appear to us radically distinct, and keep up national hatred and mistrust. B e t w e e n the banks o f the Caura and t h e Padamo everything bears the stamp o f disunion and weakness. M e n avoid, because they d o n o t understand each o t h e r ; they mutally hate, because they mutually fear. W h e n we examine attentively this wild part o f A m e r i c a , w e fancy ourselves transported t o those primitive t i m e s when the earth was p e o p l e d by degrees, and w e seem t o b e present at the birth o f human societies. In the old world w e see that pastoral life has prepared the hunting nations for agriculture. In the N e w W o r l d we seek in vain these progressive developments o f civilization, these intervals o f repose, these stages in the life o f nations. T h e luxury o f vegetation embarrasses the Indians in the c h a s e ; and in their rivers, resembling arms o f the sea, the depth o f the waters prevents fishing during whole months. Those species o f ruminating animals, that constitute the wealth o f the nations o f the Old W o r l d , are w a n t i n g in the N e w . T h e bison and the m u s k - o x have n e v e r b e e n r e d u c e d t o a domestic s t a t e ; the breeding o f llamas and guanacos has n o t created the habits o f pastoral life. I n the temperate