preferred the pagan rites, legends, and myths of his ancestors. Probably certain lines and passages were repeated in the archaic form in which they had been handed down for generations.... The cosmogony describes the formation of the world by the Great Manito, and its subsequent despoliation by the spirit of the waters, under the form of a serpent. The happy days are depicted, when men lived without wars or sickness, and food was at all times abundant. Evil beings of mysterious power introduced cold and war and sickness and premature death. Then began strife and long wanderings.”[352] We can readily understand how a few rude lines could recall to the Amerind mind a whole story, and especially to the mind of one trained to exercise his memory in such directions. It is not necessary for me to do more for the Christian reader than write “_Xmas_,” and he can from it review the whole wonderful story of Christ in all its details. So it was with the Amerind. Those entrusted with the preservation of the legends, etc., learned them perfectly and year by year repeated them on the proper occasion to their followers. Changes were probably sometimes made in the text of some to suit them to changed conditions, but the accuracy was so great that myths and legends have been found to contain archaic words which the members of the tribe were unable to explain, and which yielded only to the expert analysis of a white linguist. [Illustration: TEOCALLI (TEMPLE) OF TEPOZTLAN, STATE OF MORELOS, MEXICO This view is from the west or back and shows a stairway and also the built up mound forming the foundation. The front is entered by a broad flight of about fourteen steps. The construction is stone. The site, formerly approached by flights of steps, is on the summit of a high and dangerously precipitous mountain. The ground plan, about 30 ft. square, is similar to the first plan on page 238, with a front like the second. The outer walls are 1 meter, 90 centimeters thick. They were covered with a smooth cement, which was painted in different colors. See page 240. _Monumental Records._ Photographed by M. H. Saville ] [Illustration: KWAKIUTL WOOD CARVING OF THE SISUL, NORTH-WEST COAST Worn in front of the stomach. Length, 42 in. See page 168 ]