this abuse of language, we might refer to the
case of Montezuma, which name itself is a corruption of the Mexican word
"Motecu-zoma," meaning literally "my wrathy chief." Mr. Bandelier<2>
and Mr. Morgan have quite clearly shown what his real position was.
His title was "chief of men."<3> He was simply one of the two chief
executive officers of the tribe and general of the forces of the
confederacy. His office was strictly elective, and he could be deposed
for misdemeanor. Instead of giving him his proper title, and explaining
its meaning, the Spaniards bestowed on him the title of king, which was
soon enlarged to that of emperor, European words, it will be observed,
which convey an altogether wrong idea of Mexican society. Many such
illustrations could be given.

The literature that has grown up about this subject is very voluminous,
but the authors not being acquainted with the organization of Indian
society, have not been able to write understandingly about them. We do
not flatter ourselves that we have now solved all the difficulties of
the case. But since Mr. Morgan has succeeded in throwing such a flood of
light on the constitution of ancient society, and especially of Indian
society, and Mr. Bandelier has given us the results of his careful
investigation of the culture of the Mexicans, we feel that a foundation
has been laid for a correct understanding of this vexed problem.

We will now examine their architecture, or style of building. In dealing
with prehistoric people, we have several times referred to the tribal
state of government, involving village life and communism in living. We
have seen how this principle enabled us to understand the condition of
Europe during the Neolithic Age. In still another place we have used
this principle to show the connection of the Pueblo Indians and other
tribes of the United States. Now we think this is the key which is to
explain many of the ruins we have described in the preceding chapter.
But another principle to be borne in mind, is that of defense. War,
we have seen, is really the normal state of things amongst tribal
communities. Therefore, either some position naturally strong must be
selected as a village site, or the houses themselves must be fortified,
after the fashion of Indians. This will be found to explain many
peculiarities in their method of construction.

Amongst the pueblo structures of to-day, and among the ruins of the
cliff-dwellers, we have seen how c