Untitled - Smithsonian Institution

96 BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [bull. 44
line running from the Rio Chagres on the north coast to Chorrera
on the Pacific coast; on the east and south it was separated from the
Choco territory by the Rio Cacarica, the "sierra del Espiritu Santo,"
and the Rio Sambu. As the Imes run from coast to coast, the region
is easily indicated.
With Cuna end the languages of isthmian America on the south, the
next language (Choco) being included geographically in the continent
of South America.
ETHNIC DIVIDING LINE BETWEEN NORTH A^IERICA AND
SOUTH AMERICA
It has long been conceded that the linguistic element (if it may be
termed so) of South,America, at the time of the Spanish Conquest,
extended into the southern sections of Central Amerida. Brinton says
(3:164):
The mountain chain which separates Nicaragua from Costa Rica, and the headwaters
of the Rio Frio from those of the more southern and eastern streams, is the ethnographic
boundary of North America. Beyond it [going south] we come upon tribes whose
linguistic affinities point towards the southern continent. Such are the Talamancas,
Guaymies, Valientes, and others.
So far as the present writer is aware, however, Sapper (1:48) is the
first to lay down definitely this dividing line on a map. Beginning
at the extreme northwestern corner of Honduras, where it meets the
bay, it runs thence southeast almost in a direct line to the eastern
end of Lake Nicaragua; and thence m nearly the same direction to
the head of the Gulf of Dulce on the southern coast of Costa
Rica. This demarcation, allowing the following modification, is
accepted: Carry the line from the east end, or near the east end,
of Lake Nicaragua almost directly south to the mouth of the Gulf of
Nicoya, the tribes east of this line—the Jicaque, Paya, the Ulvan
tribes, Carib, Mosquito, Rama, and all the tribes of Costa Rica
(except the Orotina), and those of Panama—being considered as
belonging ethnically to the southern continent. Brinton's dividing
line was laid down before he had discovered the correct relation of the
Rama. He assigned the Jicaque, Paya, and Ulvan group to the
northern contment, but, in the judgment of the WTiter, Sapper's
division is the better one. On this point the only question in doubt
is, whether or not the Xincan, Lencan, Matagalpan, and Subtiaban
tribes, west of the dividing line thus drawn, should not also be added
to the South American list.