The Mythologies of Ancient Mexico and Peru Part 4

[4] The temple, with all its purlieus and courts, was named _teopan_; the central pyramid, _teocalli_.

[5] There is reason to believe, however, that the sacrifices of the Aztecs were made not so much for the purpose of placating the G.o.ds as for the imagined necessity of rejuvenating them and keeping them alive.

Of some of the sacrifices, at least, this is certain.

[6] The veneration of an animal or plant _which does not identify a tribe_ is not 'totemism' but 'naturalism,' or nature-wors.h.i.+p.

[7] The evidence of Garcila.s.so would seem to show that the early Peruvians possessed a totem-system; this, however, would appear to have been by some process totally eliminated. It will be seen that I differentiate between 'naturalism' and 'totemism.' 'Totemism' is the adoption of an animal or plant symbol by a _tribe_ originally for the purpose of identification. It later grows into the belief in blood-kins.h.i.+p with the symbol. 'Naturalism' is the wors.h.i.+p of the wind, the sun, or other natural phenomena.

[8] The legend is the basis of some hundred of lines of bookish fustian by Southey, who follows Hakluyt in making Mexico the theatre of the prince's adventures.

[9] _Antiquitates Americanae._ Were they Picts?

[10] p.a.w.nees.

[11] This monumental work, which, apart from its letterpress, is exceedingly valuable in respect of numerous splendid plates representing Aztec MSS., is in nine huge volumes, and was published in London in 1831. Its original price was 175 coloured, and 120 uncoloured. Its n.o.ble author sought to prove that the Mexicans were the Lost Ten Tribes of Israel.