is_, or the transmigration of souls from
one body into another.[533:7] This, as we have already seen,[533:8] was
universally believed in the Old World.

The legend of _the man being swallowed by a fish_, and, after a three
days' sojourn in his belly, coming out safe and sound, was found among
the Mexicans and Peruvians.[534:1]

The ancient Mexicans, and some Indian tribes, practiced _Circumcision_,
which was common among all Eastern nations of the Old World.[534:2]

They also had a legend to the effect that one of their holy persons
commanded _the sun to stand still_.[534:3] This, as we have already
seen,[534:4] was a familiar legend among the inhabitants of the Old
World.

The ancient Mexicans were _fire-worshipers_; so were the ancient
Peruvians. They kept a fire continually burning on an altar, just as the
fire-worshipers of the Old World were in the habit of doing.[534:5] They
were also _Sun-worshipers_, and had "temples of the Sun."[534:6]

The _Tortoise-myth_ was found in the New World.[534:7] Now, in the Old
World, the Tortoise-myth belongs especially to _India_, and the idea is
developed there in a variety of forms. The tortoise that holds the world
is called in Sanscrit Kura-mraja, "King of the Tortoises," and many
Hindoos believe to this day that the world rests on its back. "The
striking analogy between the Tortoise-myth of North America and India,"
says Mr. Tyler, "is by no means a matter of new observation; it was
indeed remarked upon by Father Lafitau nearly a century and a half ago.
Three great features of the Asiatic stories are found among the North
American Indians, in the fullest and clearest development. The earth is
supported on the back of a huge floating tortoise, the tortoise sinks
under the water and causes a deluge, and the tortoise is conceived as
being itself the earth, floating upon the face of the deep."[534:8]

We have also found among them the belief in an Incarnate God born of a
virgin;[534:9] the One God worshiped in the form of a Trinity;[534:10]
the crucified _Black_ god;[534:11] the descent into hell;[534:12] the
resurrection and ascension into heaven,[534:13] all of which is to be
found in the oldest Asiatic religions. We also found monastic
habits--friars and nuns.[534:14]

The Mexicans denominated their high-places, sacred houses, or "_Houses
of God_." The corresponding sacred structures of the Hindoos are called
"_God's House_."[535:1]

Many nations of the _East_ enterta