IN the very large literature which we now have concern ing the origin and development of religion, there is either too generous an element of Speculation or the facts are arranged in an order which does not plainly suggest the actual order of evolution. In this work an attempt is made to distribute the known facts in such succession that they do present, as far as possible, the real obro nological development of human culture. The most primitive fragments of our race are rigorously separated from higher tribes, and the stage of religious development at which they linger is very carefully determined. In the selection of these primitive peoples the teaching of modern anthropology is closely followed, and many tribes which are usually quoted as primitive are withheld until a later stage. By this procedure a view of the origin of religion is reached which differs from that presented in the majority of recent works on the subject.