lts could not have been attained without long
and patient observations. Some of its methods of combination, in the
double use of names and figures, in their cycles, are thought to denote
an ancient primitive system of oriental astronomy, reaching back to the
earliest times. Here, then, we have one probable fact to serve as the
nucleus of antiquarian testimony. We begin it abroad.

[11] With respect to intercalations, various periods have been
taken by ancient nations. And while we take the shortest possible
one, of four years; and the Aztecs took fifty two, the Chinese
took sixty, and the Persians one hundred and twenty.

The _architecture_ of the ancient inhabitants of Mexico and Peru, has
been illustrated, within a few years, by several elaborate works; and
the subject may be deemed to have been brought, by these works, within
the scope of study and comparison. There are two features in this
unique order of architecture, which appear to denote great antiquity in
the principles developed, namely, the arch and the pyramid. These
nations appear to have had the use of squares and parallelograms, in
their geometry, without circles, or parabolic lines. The only form of
the arch observed, is that called the cyclopean arch, which is made by
one course of stones overlapping another, till the two walls meet, and
a flat stone covers the space. This is the earliest type of the arch
known among mankind, and is believed to be more ancient than the
foundation of any city in Europe.

The pyramid, as developed in the temple of the sun at Tezcuco, the
Mexican teocalli, and the Aonic mounds of North America, compose a form
of architecture equally ancient; which can be traced back over the
plains of Asia, to the period of the original dispersion of mankind.
The temple of Belus, was but a vast pyramid, raised for the worship of
Bel. Originating in the Hamitic tribes, in the alluvial vallies and
flat-lands of Asia Minor, a perfect infatuation, on the subject,
appears to have possessed the early oriental nations, and they carried
the idea into the valley of the Nile, and, indeed, wherever they went.
It appeared to be the substitute of idolatrous nations, on alluvial
lands, for an isolated hill, or promontory. It was at such points that
Baal and Bel were worshipped, and hence the severe injunctions of the
sacred volume, on the worship established in the oriental world "on
high places." Such was the position of the p