the Rio Negro to resemble the Oens in habits. The Caribbees were found by Humboldt to form family groups, often numbering only forty or fifty, which were at constant enmity with each other. Capture prevailed among thetn to such an extent that the women of any tribe belonged so much to distinct tribes that in no group were the men and women found to speak the same language (Personal Narrative of Travels, v, 210). Among the wild Indians of the North the same account is applicable in varying degrees. Hearne tells us that among the Hudson's Bay Indians " it has ever been the custom for the men to wrestle for any woman to whom they are attached, and, of course, the strongest party al- ways carries off the prize ; a weak man, unless he be a good hunter and well-beloved, is seldom permitted to keep a wife that a stronger man thinks worth his no- tice. . . . This custom prevails throughout all their tribes, and causes a great spirit of emulation among their youth, who are, upon all occasions, from their child- hood, trying their strength and skill in wrestling" (Voy- age to the Northern Ocean, p. 104). Franklin also says that the Copper Indians hold women in the same low estimation as the Chippewayans do, "looking upon them as a kind of property, which the stronger may take from the weaker" {.Journey to the Shores of the Polar tSca, viii, 43), and Richardson {Boat Journey, ii, 24) "more than once saw a stronger man assert his right to take the wife of a weaker countryman. Any one may challenge another to wrestle, and, if he overcomes, may carry off the wife as the prize." Yet the women never dream of protesting against this, which, indeed, seems to them perfectly natural.
The capture of women for wives prevails also among the aborigines of the Deccan, and in Afghanistan (La- tham, Descript. Ethnol. ii, 215). It formerly prevailed, according to Olaus Magnus, in Muscovy, Lithuania, and Livonia {Ilistoria de gentihus Septentrio7ialibus, bk. xiv, ch. ix, p. 48). There is ample reason to believe that the practice was general among the nations in the north of Europe and Asia. Olaus Magnus, indeed, rejiresents the tribes of the north as having been continualh' at war with one 'another, either on account of stolen women, or with the object of stealing women, "propter raptas virgines aut arripiendas" {ut sup. p. 328). In numerous cases the plunderers were of the royal houses of Denmark and Swe- den. Among the Scandinavians, before they became Christians, wives were almost invariably fought for and wedded at the sword-point. Among the KalinucliS, Kir- ghis, Nogais, and Circassians, where the price cannot be agreed upon, nothing is more common than to carry off the lady by force. This capture constitutes a marriage, even before the parties come to terms (M'Lennan, p. 73), The Australians, while having a general system of be- trothals, yet employ the practice of capturing wives to a great extent. According to Turnbull, when a man sees a woman whom he likes, he tcUs her to follow him. If she refuses, he forces her to accompany him by blows, ending by knocking her do\vn and carrying her off {Voyage round the World, i, 81 sq.). Sir George Grey says that many plots are laid to carrj' off the ^voraen, and in the encounters which result they receive usually very harsh treatment.
Many other less barbarous nations keep up the show of force only. The following are among the rriost marked examples. Among the Khonils the marriage- ceremony begins with a feast at the dwelling of the bride. This is followed by dancing and song. When the night is far spent in these amusements, the princi- pals are lifted by an uncle of each on his shoulders and carried through the dance. Suddenly they exchange burdens, and the uncle of the youth disappears with the bride. The friends of the bride now seek to arrest his tlight, those of the groom to cover it, the mock contest that ensues being often carried to great lengths (jM'Pher- son, Report upon Khonds, p. 65). Among the noble class of the Kalmucks a similar form appears. The price to be paid being fixed, the bridegroom and his no-
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