However, this pleasant task would be but half performed were I to omit the recognition of the unselfish friendship of the justly eminent author of the _Native Races of the Pacific States_. Mr. Hubert Howe Bancroft, whose rare erudition and breadth of thought are only surpassed by his magnanimity of nature and manliness of spirit, with a liberality which has scarce a parallel in authorship, sent me the majority of the engravings illustrative of the Maya and Nahua architecture and sculpture, used in the fourth volume of the _Native Races_. To this I may add the no less valuable encouragement which he so heartily gave during the progress of my work. Although some of my investigations were prosecuted before the publication of the _Native Races_, and though all of Mr. Bancroft’s sources relating to subjects which have received our mutual attention were before me and underwent a critical examination at my hands, it is but fair to state that the assistance which I derived from the _Native Races_ has been of incalculable service in the preparation of this volume. If in any place I have omitted to render full credit to Mr. Bancroft, and to that imperishable monument of learning and industry, his great work, the omission has been due to inadvertence rather than intention. My obligations to Mr. Bancroft can never be discharged, nor can the kind attentions of Mr. Henry L. Oak, of the Bancroft Library, San Francisco, be forgotten. Still my examination of the sources has not always led me to the same conclusions as were reached by the author of the _Native Races_. This may be owing to our different standpoints of observation, or possibly to an inappreciable bias in my own mind. It is, however, but justice to myself to say that this work has been prosecuted to its completion with the spirit of inquiry rather than of advocacy, and is the embodiment of an honest search for the truth. THE AUTHOR. COLUMBUS, O., _November, 1879_. PREFACE TO THIRD EDITION. This, the third edition of “The North Americans of Antiquity,” has been carefully revised and new facts incorporated. In this connection I take the opportunity of thankfully acknowledging the kindly reception and marked consideration which this work has enjoyed at the hands of specialists, of learned Societies in both America and Europe, and from the University of Leipzig. J. T. S. COLUMBUS, OHIO, _September, 1881_. CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. ANCIENT INHABITANTS OF THE UNITED STATES.