more sensible of my deficiencies than I am myself, yet after ten years of study, I have been anxious to publish this portion of my work, in the hope that it may contribute something towards the progress of a science which is in itself of the deepest interest, and which has a peculiar importance to an Empire such as ours, comprising races in every stage of civilisation yet attained by man.

HIGH ELMS, DOWN, KENT :
February, 1870.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER.

Importance of the Subject-Difficulty of the Subject-Inactivity of

the Savage Intellect-Condition of the Lowest Races of Men

-Curious Customs with reference to Mothers-in-Law-La Couvade

-Reasons for La Couvade-Savage Ideas on the Influence of Food

-Curious Ideas with reference to Portraits-Use of Prayers as

Medicine-Savage Ideas of Disease-Medical Treatment among

Savages-Fancies about Twins-Life attributed to Inanimate Ob-

jects-Salutations

PAGR

1

CHAPTER II.

ART AND ORNAMENTS.

Art as an Ethnological Character-Ancient Art-Art in Africa-Esqui-

maux Drawings-The Quippu - Picture-writing- Indian Census

Roll-Indian Tombstones-Picture-writing in North America-Indian

Biography-Indian Petition-Rock Sculptures-Savage Ornaments

-Cheek Studs-Labrets-Ornamentation of the Skin-Tribe Marks

-Tattooing-Artificial Alteration of Form-Hairdressing-Feejee

Head-Dresses

. 37

CHAPTER III.

MARRIAGE AND RELATIONSHIP.

The Position of Women among Savages-Absence of Affection in
Marriage Absence of Marriage Relationship among Savages -
Different kinds of Marriage-Polyandry-Separation of Husband
and Wife-Absence of Marriage Ceremony-Marriage Ceremonies
-Relationships Independent of Marriage-South Sea System of
Relationship-Toda System of Relationship-Prevalence of Adoption
-The Milk-tie-Original or Communal Marriage-Origin of Mar-

riage-Bachofen's Views-Wrestling for Wives-M'Lennan's Views

-The True Explanation-Origin of Marriage by Capture-Pre-

valence of Marriage by Capture-Originally a Reality-Subsequently

a Form-Hindostan-Central India-Malay Peninsula-Kalmucks—

Tonguses-Kamchadales-Mongols-Koreans-Esquimaux-North

-

Feejeeans

-

Philippine

and South Americans

Polynesians

Islanders-Negritos -Africa-Circassians-Europe-Rome-Poland

-Russia-Britain-Explanation of Marriage Ceremonies-Marriage

by Confarreatio-Expiation for Marriage-Babylonia-Armenia —

Balearic Islands-Supplying guests with Temporary Wives-Re-

spect for Courtesans-Exogamy-Origin of Exogamy-Prevalence

of Exogamy - Australia — Africa - Hindostan - Northern Asia-

China-Circassia-North America-South America-The Causes

of Polygamy - Polyandry-Polyandry Exceptional - The System

of Levirate Endogamy - The Milk-tie - Relationship through

Females-Causes and Wide Distribution of the Custom-Neglect of

Paternal Relation-Origin of Relationship in the Male Line—

Change from Female to Male Kinship-System of Kinship through

Males-The Present System

PAGE

67

CHAPTER IV.

RELATIONSHIPS.

On the Development of Relationships-Different Systems of Relation-

ships-Classification of Systems-Nature of the Evidence-Custom

of Addressing Persons by their Relationship Similarities of System

among the Lower Races-Malayans-Feejeeans-Redskins-Nomen-

clature of Relationships-Effect of Female Kinship on Systems of

Relationship-The Hawaiian System-American Systems-Impor-

tance of the Mother's Brother in the Family System-The Micmac

System-Burmese and Japanese Systems-The Wyandot System-

The Tamil and Feejeean Systems-Remarkable Terms in Use-

Explanation of the Terms-System of the Oneidas-Otawas-The

Kaffir System-Mohegans-Crees-Chippewas-Summary of Red-

skin Systems-Hindoo Systems-Karens-Esquimaux-Remarkable

Similarities-Indications of Progress—Incompleteness of Systems—

Existing Systems Incompatible with the Theory of Degradation-

Evidence of Progress-No Evidence of Degradation-Conclusion. 150

CHAPTER V.

RELIGION.

Mental Inactivity of Savages-Religious Characteristics of Savages-
Religious Characteristics of the Lower Races of Man-Classification of
the Lower Religions-Religions according to Sanchoniatho-Reli-

gious Condition of the Lowest Races-Absence of Religion-Rudi-

mentary Religions-Religious Ideas as suggested by Sleep-Reli-

gious Ideas as suggested by Dreams-Nightmare-Shadows-

Thunder Spirits regarded as Evil-Spirits regarded as causing

Disease-Madness Reverenced-Belief in Witchcraft-Disbelief

among Savages in the Existence of Natural Death-Low Ideas of

Spirits entertained by Savages-Greek and Roman Conceptions-

Savage Ideas as to Eclipses-Various Notions as to Eclipses-Belief

in Ghosts-Future Life dependent on Mode of Death-Belief in the

Plurality of Souls-Divination-Sorcery-Confusion of Name and

Thing-Confusion of Part and Whole-Similarity of Witchcraft—

Wizards-Belief in Witchcraft shared by European Travellers—

Sorcerers not necessarily Impostors-Fasting-Religious Dances-

Smoking as a Religious Ceremony-Intoxication as a Religious Rite 193

CHAPTER VI.

RELIGION (continued).

Animal Worship-Origin of Animal Worship-The Kobong-The

Totem-Totemism in America-Totems in India and Polynesia-Ser-

pent-Worship-Serpent-Worship in Asia-Africa-Guinea-Why-

dah-Agoye the Fetich of Whydah-Kaffraria-Madagascar-

Polynesia-America-The Worship of other Animals-Polynesia—

Sandwich Islands-Feejee Islands-Siberia-China-India-Ceylon

-The Philippines-Africa-Madagascar-Europe-The Custom of

Apologizing to Animals for Killing them-The Worship of the

Celestial Bodies-Savage Tendency to Deification-Deities not sup-

posed to be Supernatural-Life attributed to Inanimate Objects-

Souls Attributed to Inanimate Objects-Tree-Worship in Europe-

Egypt-Arabia-Congo-India-Ceylon-Hill Tribes of India-

Siberia Sumatra - Philippines - Feejeeans - North America—

Mexico-Peru-Patagonia-Water-Worship-Europe - Siberia-

India-Africa-North America-Central America—The Worship of

Stones-Attributes of the God Mercury-Siberia-Hindostan-New

Zealand-The Arabians-Phoenicians in Europe-Africa-Polynesia

-Feejee Islands Micronesia-America-Fire-Worship-Vestals-

Asia-America-Africa-Sun and Moon Worship—America—India

-Asia-Africa-Sundry Worships

251

CHAPTER VII.

RELIGION (concluded).

Religion of Australians

Kaffirs Fetichism-Hindostan-Negroes-Fetichism in other Races
-North America— China-Siberia-Africa - Totemism-Develop-

mental and Adaptational Modifications of Religion-Myths-Sham-

anism in Siberia - Greenland - Pacific Islands-Africa — India

Idolatry-Origin of Idolatry-Connection with the worship of An-

cestors-India-Africa-Polynesia-Siberia-Solomon's Explanation

- Idols not Mere Emblems-Worship of Men-Worship of Chiefs

-Worship of Travellers-The Worship of Principles-Sacrifices

-Confusion of the Victim with the Deity-Worship of the Sacrifice

-Eating the Sacrifice-Human Sacrifices-Europe-America-The

Jews Temples Priests - Mystery Men-The Soul— Ideas of

Heaven - The Future State - Creation - Prayer - Morality — The

Progress of Religion-Science and Religion

PAGE

312

CHAPTER VIII.

CHARACTER AND MORALS.

Difficulty of ascertaining the Character of Savage Races-Insecurity

of Life and Property among Savages-Progress in Morals-Moral

Condition of Savages-Confusion of Family Affection and Moral

Feeling-Absence of Moral Feeling-Religion not necessarily con-

nected with Morality-Future Life not necessarily one of Punish-

ment or Reward-Rank in Heaven-Law and Right-Growth of

Moral Feeling-Origin of Moral Feeling

379

CHAPTER IX.

LANGUAGE.

Gesture Language—The Origin of Language—All Language reducible

to a Few Root-words-Origin of Root-words-Onomatopoeia-Wear

and Tear of Words-Nicknames and Slang Terms-Origin of the

Terms Father and Mother-Words for Father and Mother in various

Languages-The Choice of Root-words-Poverty of Savage Lan-

guages-Deficiency in Terms of Affection-Absence of Abstract Terms

-Deficiency in Numerals-Savage Difficulties in Arithmetic-Use

of the Fingers in Arithmetic, as shown in the Names of Numerals

-The Origin of the Decimal System

401

CHAPTER X.

LAWS.

Importance of the Subject-Savage Laws not Founded on the Family
-Tyranny of Fashion among Savages-Tyranny of Custom among
Savages-Superstitious Customs-Rules relating to Legal Cere-
monies and Contracts-Court Language-Gradations of Rank-Salu-