Americans of Antiquity," p. 202.
(59) Morgan: "Ancient Society," p. 12.
(60) "Fifth Annual Report Archaeological Institute," p. 85.
(61) Short's "North Americans of Antiquity," p. 458.
(62) Carr: "Mounds of the Mississippi Valley," p. 97.
(63) "Ancient Monuments," p. 14.

Chapter XIII.

THE NAHUA TRIBES.

Early Spanish discoveries in Mexico--The Nahua tribes defined--Climate
of Mexico--The Valley of Anahuac--Ruins at Tezcuco--The hill of
Tezcocingo--Ruins at Teotihuacan--Ancient Tulla--Ruins in the
province of Querataro--Casa Grandes in Chihuahua--Ancient remains
in Sinaloa--Fortified hill of Quemada--The Pyramid of Cholula--Mr.
Bandelier's investigations at Cholula--Fortified hill at Xochicalco--Its
probable use--Ruins at Monte Alban--Ancient remains at Mitla--Mr.
Bandelier's investigations--Traditions in regard to Mitla--Ruins
along the Panuco River--Ruins in Vera Cruz--Pyramid of
Papantla--Tusapan--Character of Nahua Ruins.

When the ships of the Spanish admiral came to anchor before the
Island of San Salvador, he had indeed discovered a "New World." It was
inhabited by a race of people living in a state of society from which
the inhabitants of Europe had emerged long before the dawn of authentic
history. The animal and plant life were also greatly different from any
thing with which they were acquainted. The Spaniards little suspected
the importance of their discovery. Columbus himself died in the belief
that he had simply explored a new route to Asia. A quarter of a century
elapsed after the first voyage of Columbus before an expedition coasted
along the shores of Mexico. This was the expedition of Juan De Grijalva,
in 1518. He gave a glowing description of the country he had seen, which
"from the beauty and verdure of its indented shores, and the lovely
appearances of its villages, he called 'New Spain.'"<1>

Illustration of Map of Mexico.-------------------

This was followed, in the year 1519, by the history-making expedition
of Cortez. The scene of his first landing was about forty miles south of
the present town of Vera Cruz, but to this place they soon removed. At
his very first landing-point he learned of the existence of what he was
pleased to call a powerful empire, ruled by a most valiant prince. The
accounts the Indian allies gave him of the power and wealth of this
empire inflamed the imagination of Cortez and his followers. This was an
age, we must remember tha