Wales

says that an unfaithful wife may suffer any pain her husband chooses to inflict, but that he goes free himself of the immoralities he may perpetrate (Anthrop. [nstit. Journal, May 1855): female communism is still traceable, in the law that no maiden can be married till first taken by an elder, while captured women are held in common for a time by the capturing tribesmen, Mr Howitt shows however (Anthrop. Instit. Journal, Aug. 1890) that the Dieri, and kindred tribes, recognise two forms of marriage—the Noa or gift of a girl by her father in infancy; and the Pira-iiri or paramour custom, thought to be older than the preceding. The Pira-tri are solemnly allotted to each other at a council of elders, and must belong to the distinct cla between whom marriage is lawful. The youth must have pa ed the Mindari, and the girl the Wilpadrina ceremonies. The elders do not consult those concerned, but gravely proclaim the names aloud, when all within hearing shout approval. Dances, feasts, and general licence, then follow, At most of the circumcision festivals Pira-tirii marriages are proclaimed, and a girl may have several Piras, for she may not relinquish those previously given to her, The tie is as permanent as in Noa marriage, but the Noa husband takes precedence of any Pira, unle he consents to the relationship, which he usually does: at certain times, when promiscuous intercourse is permitted at the religious ceremonies, no distinctions hold good, [This is also known once a year among Bechuana tribes in S. Africa——Ep.] Jealousy and quarrels naturally result from these savage arrangements. 240