ined the notion that there were _nine
heavens_, and so did the ancient Mexicans.[535:2]

There are few things connected with the ancient mythology of _America_
more certain than that there existed in that country before its
discovery by Columbus, extreme veneration for the _Serpent_.[535:3] Now,
the Serpent was venerated and worshiped throughout the East.[535:4]

The ancient Mexicans and Peruvians, and many of the Indian tribes,
believed the Sun and Moon not only to be brother and sister, but man and
wife; so, likewise, among many nations of the Old World was this belief
prevalent.[535:5] The belief in were-wolves, or man-wolves, man-tigers,
man-hyenas, and the like, which was almost universal among the nations
of Europe, Asia and Africa, was also found to be the case among South
American tribes.[535:6] The idea of calling the earth "mother," was
common among the inhabitants of both the Old and New Worlds.[535:7] In
the mythology of Finns, Lapps, and Esths, Earth-Mother is a divinely
honored personage. It appears in China, where _Heaven_ and _Earth_ are
called in the _Shuking_--one of their sacred books--"Father and Mother
of all things."

Among the native races of _America_ the Earth-Mother is one of the great
personages of mythology. The Peruvians worshiped her as _Mama-Phacha_,
or Earth-Mother. The Caribs, when there was an earthquake, said it was
their mother-earth dancing, and signifying to them to dance and make
merry likewise, which they accordingly did.[535:8]

It is well-known that the natives of Africa, when there is an eclipse of
the sun or moon, believe that it is being devoured by some great
monster, and that they, in order to frighten and drive it away, beat
drums and make noises in other ways. So, too, the rude Moguls make a
clamor of rough music to drive the attacking Arachs (Rahu) from Sun or
Moon.[535:9]

The Chinese, when there is an eclipse of the Sun or Moon, proceed to
encounter the ominous monster with gongs and bells.[535:10]

The ancient Romans flung firebrands into the air, and blew trumpets, and
clanged brazen pots and pans.[535:11] Even as late as the seventeenth
century, the Irish or Welsh, during eclipses, ran about beating kettles
and pans.[536:1] Among the native races of America was to be found the
same superstition. The Indians would raise a frightful howl, and shoot
arrows into the sky to drive the monsters off.[536:2] The Caribs,
thinking that the demon Maboya, hater of all ligh