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Show 212 BASIS OP AMERICAN HISTORY [ 1500 ment to a high degree of expression, no head chief at all was recognized. Where segmentation, from whatever cause, has brought about the formation of new dialects and tribal bonds, the relationship between the tribes thus formed will often be recognized although the fact of former unity may not be remembered even in tradition. When to this relationship be added geographical contiguity, it is evident that the interests of the given tribes will often be common. Among the Indians generally the constant fear was of attack from hostile groups, and the suggestion of union of related tribes for mutual defence would be as natural as the occasion was frequent. This was unquestionably the origin of the confederacy, which may also be regarded as a typical Indian institution. In the confederacy as well as in the tribe the clan influence persisted and was the basis of organization. In cases where clans were unknown the leagues have usually been of a more fragile and temporary character, a fact which emphasizes the importance of the kinship bond in the civil unions. The two confederacies of highest type in North America were those of the Iroquois and thQ Aztec, both of which have been briefly described. Others which were of considerable permanence were the Creek, Dakota, Moki, and Blackfoot. NThe last-named is especially interesting, since it includes a tribe of Athapascan stock, the Sarcee, while the |