Chontal—Ditto.
Orotina—Ditto.
Respecting the locality of the last three languages there is, at least, a tradition that, over and above the original population, there was also, at the time of the conquest, a colony of Mexicans in Nicaragua. I say, at least a tradition, because it is stated that the so-called Pipil Indians, on the coast of the Pacific, speak a Mexican dialect, and also that the remains of Mexican art in Nicaragua are both numerous and definite; in which case the evidence is improved: still it is by no means conclusive.
Such are the minor groups, all of uncertain value, for central America, i.e. for the parts between Mexico and the Isthmus, with two exceptions.
THE MAYA.
Divisions.—1. The Maya Proper. 2. The Huasteca.
Localities.—1. The Maya Proper in Yucatan. 2. The Huasteca, in the parts about Tampico.
Area.—Discontinuous.
The discontinuity of the Maya area is effected by the interposition of Totonaca and other languages; the discovery of the community of origin between populations so different as those of Yucatan and country round Tampico being one of the valuable notices of the Mithridates.
The value of the Maya-Huasteca (or Huasteca-Maya) group, is wholly undetermined. Probably it should extend to the inclusion of the Poconchi and several other tongues of Guatemala.