Algic Researches, Vol. 2

blows back along the path of their migration. Whether this is considered in a local or general sense, it is equally interesting to study a people whose original terms have simple meanings and serve as links in the investigation of their history. All of these tribes—both those in the interior and those along the Atlantic—spoke branches of one root language. Although they were scattered geographically and marked by unique traits in their language and history, they are still easily recognized as descendants of a common ancestor. Wherever the process of linguistic analysis is applied, the Algic Schoolcraft’s term for the Algonquian-speaking peoples roots are found. The tribes also share the same general mental and physical characteristics. They employed the same hieroglyphic signs to express names and events and possessed the same simple—and, in some respects, childlike—skills in music and poetry. They also brought with them to this continent, and widely spread, a mythology; a strong belief in these stories provides the best clue to their hopes and fears and lies at the foundation of the Indian character.

Simple as their music is, there is something strikingly unique about it. Their Pib-e-gwun An indigenous flute, often made of cedar is essentially another name for the Arcadian pipe The syrinx or "pan flute" of Greek mythology, associated with shepherds and rustic music; however, they did not use the same music for both love and religion. The latter was of a totally different nature, being louder and harsher—