Chapter VI: A Criticism of the Hypothesis of Promiscuity

(_Concluded_)

Promiscuous intercourse between the sexes tends to a pathological condition unfavourable to fecundity, p. 115.—The practice of polyandry does not afford evidence in an opposite direction, pp. 115-117.—The jealousy of man and other mammalian species the strongest argument against ancient promiscuity, p. 117.—Jealousy among existing peoples, pp. 117-121.—Punishments inflicted for adultery, pp. 121, 122, 130.—Man’s requirement of virginity from his bride, pp. 123, _et seq._—A wife considered to belong to her husband, not during his lifetime only, but after his death, pp. 124-130.—Widows killed, pp. 125, _et seq._—Duties towards deceased husbands, pp. 126, _et seq._—Widows forbidden to marry again, pp. 127, _et seq._—Prohibition of speedy remarriage, pp. 128-130.—The practice of lending or prostituting wives no evidence for the absence of jealousy, pp. 130, _et seq._—Contact with a ‘higher culture’ misleading natural instincts, pp. 131, _et seq._—No reason to suppose that the feeling of jealousy ever was restrained by conditions which made it necessary for a man to share his wife with other men, pp. 132, _et seq._—The hypothesis of promiscuity essentially unscientific, p. 133.

CHAPTER VII

MARRIAGE AND CELIBACY

Voluntary abstinence unheard of in a state of nature, p. 134.—Celibacy rare among savage and barbarous races, pp. 134-136.—Savage views on celibacy, pp. 136, _et seq._—Savages marry early in life, pp. 137-139.—Celibacy rare among several civilized races, pp. 139-143.—Celibacy caused by the practice of purchasing wives, and by polygyny, pp. 143-145.—Celibacy in Europe, and its causes, pp. 145-150.—Sexual relations considered impure, pp. 151, _et seq._—Religious celibacy, pp. 152-155.—Hypothesis as to the origin of the notion of sexual uncleanness and of sexual bashfulness, pp. 155, _et seq._

CHAPTER VIII

THE COURTSHIP OF MAN

Males active, females comparatively passive, in courtship, pp. 157, _et seq._—Courtship by women among certain peoples, pp. 158, _et seq._—Courtship by proxy, p. 159.—Fighting for females among the lower animals, _ibid._—Among men, pp. 159-163.—Making love, p. 163.—Fights by women for the possession of men, p. 164.—Female coquetry, _ibid._

CHAPTER IX

MEANS OF ATTRACTION

Savage predilection for ornaments, pp. 165, _et seq._—For self-mutilation, pp. 166, _et seq._—For dressing the hair, p. 167.—For showy colours and paint, p. 168.—For tattooing, pp. 168, _et seq._—Practices supposed to have a religious origin, pp. 169-172.—Mr. Frazer’s theory as regards the origin of tattooing, &c., pp. 170, _et seq._—Other theories, p. 172.—Men and women began to ornament, mutilate, paint, and tattoo themselves, chiefly in order to make themselves attractive to the opposite sex, pp. 172-182.—Savage women less decorated than savage men, pp. 182-185.—Opinions as to the origin of dress, p. 186.—Nakedness and want of modesty among many savage peoples, pp. 186-189.—Ornamental ‘garments’ among savages, pp. 189-192.—Covering a means of attraction, pp. 192-200, 211, _et seq._—Practices serving a similar end, pp. 201-206.—Circumcision, _ibid._—Different ideas of modesty, pp. 206-208—The power of custom and the feeling of shame, pp. 208-211.

CHAPTER X

THE LIBERTY OF CHOICE

Females ‘engaged’ in infancy, pp. 213, _et seq._—The right of giving a girl in marriage, pp. 214, _et seq._—Considerable liberty of selection allowed to women among the lower races, pp. 215-221.—It was even greater in primitive times, pp. 221, _et seq._—Bride-stealing and elopement, p. 223.—The position of sons among uncivilized peoples, pp. 223-225.—Paternal authority based on ancestor worship, in the ancient and Eastern World, pp. 225-235.—The _patria potestas_ of the Aryan races, pp. 229-235.—The decline of the _patria potestas_, pp. 235-239.