258 THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



and vermin to be caught, cattle have to be fed, the distribution of 

 pasturage, here in larger, there in smaller oases, will determine the 

 numbers of animals, and consequently of human beings, which can 

 keep together. In the separation of Abraham and Lot we have a tra- 

 ditional illustration. 



Thus recognizing the natural origin of the wandering family- 

 group, let us ask what are likely to become its traits. We have seen 

 that the regulating system of a society is evolved in the course of 

 conflicts with environing societies. Between jDastoral hordes which 

 have become separate, and in course of time alien, there must arise, 

 as between other groups, antagonisms : caused sometimes by appro- 

 priation of strayed cattle, sometimes by encroachments upon grazing 

 areas monopolized. But now mark a difference. In a tribe of archaic 

 type, such ascendency as war from time to time gives to a man who 

 is superior in strength, will, or cunning, commonly fails to become a 

 permanent headship, since his power is regarded with jealousy by 

 men who are in other respects his equals. It is otherwise in the 

 pastoral horde. The tendency which war between groujis has to 

 evolve a head in each group, here finds a member prepared for the 

 place. Already there is the father, who at the outset was, by right 

 of the strong hand, leader, owner, master, of wife, children, and all he 

 carried with him. In the preceding stage his actions were to some 

 extent under check by other men of the tribe ; now they are not. 

 His sons could early become hunters and carry on their lives inde- 

 pendently ; now they cannot. 



Note a second difference. Separation from other men brings into 

 greater clearness the fact that the children are not only the Avife's 

 children, but his children ; and further, since among its neighbors his 

 group is naturally distinguished by his name, the children spoken of 

 as members of his group are otherwise spoken of as his children. The 

 establishment of male descent is thus facilitated. Simultaneously 

 there is apt to come acknowledged supremacy of the eldest son : the 

 first to give efficient aid to the father, the first to reach manhood, the 

 first likely to marry and have children, he is usually the one on whom 

 the powers of the father devolve as he declines and dies. Thus the 

 average tendency through successive generations will be for the eldest 

 male to become head of the increasing group, alike as family ruler 

 and political ruler the patriarch. 



At the same time industrial cooperation is fostered. Savages of 

 the lowest types get roots and berries, shell-fish, vermin, small ani- 

 mals, etc., without joint action. Among those who, having reached 

 the advanced hunting stage, capture large animals, a considerable 

 combination is implied, though of an irregular kind. But on rising 

 to th stage in which flocks and herds have to be daily pastured and 

 guarded, and thoir products daily utilized, combined actions of many 

 kinds are necessitated ; and under the patriarchal rule these become 



