[96-1] On the worship of the cross in Mexico and Yucatan and its invariable meaning as representing the gods of rain, consult Ixtlilxochitl, _Hist. des Chichimeques_, p. 5; Sahagun, _Hist. de la Nueva España_, lib. i. cap. ii.; Garcia, _Or. de los Indios_, lib. iii. cap. vi. p. 109; Palacios, _Des. de la Prov. de Guatemala_, p. 29; Cogolludo, _Hist. de Yucathan_, lib. iv. cap. ix.; Villagutierre Sotomayor, _Hist. de el Itza y de el Lacandon_, lib. iii. cap. 8; and many others might be mentioned. [96-2] Rivero and Tschudi, _Peruvian Antiquities_, p. 162, after J. Acosta. [96-3] Loskiel, _Ges. der Miss. der evang. Brüder_, p. 60. [97-1] Hawkins, _Sketch of the Creek Country_, p. 75. Lapham and Pidgeon mention that in the State of Wisconsin many low mounds are found in the form of a cross with the arms directed to the cardinal points. They contain no remains. Were they not altars built to the Four Winds? In the mythology of the Dakotas, who inhabited that region, the winds were always conceived as birds, and for the cross they have a native name literally signifying "the musquito hawk spread out" (Riggs, _Dict. of the Dakota_, s. v.). Its Maya name is _vahom che_, the tree erected or set up, the adjective being drawn from the military language and implying as a defence or protection, as the warrior lifts his lance or shield (Landa, _Rel. de las Cosas de Yucatan_, p. 65). [97-2] Squier, _The Serpent Symbol in America_, p. 98. CHAPTER IV. THE SYMBOLS OF THE BIRD AND THE SERPENT. Relations of man to the lower animals.--Two of these, the BIRD and the SERPENT, chosen as symbols beyond all others.--The Bird throughout America the symbol of the Clouds and Winds.--Meaning of certain species.--The symbolic meaning of the Serpent derived from its mode of locomotion, its poisonous bite, and its power of charming.--Usually the symbol of the Lightning and the Waters.--The Rattlesnake the symbolic species in America.--The war charm.--The Cross of Palenque.--The god of riches.--Both symbols devoid of moral significance.