HOW THEY TREAT WIDOWS. 235 



two canoes afloat, and surrounded by canoes of 

 participants and spectators. 



Q. Is polygamy permitted, and is divorce ever 

 tolerated ? 



A. (Anderson.) Polygamy is universal, re- 

 gulated simply by the facilities for subsistence. 

 Divorce is on the principle, as among all barbar- 

 ous tribes, of stet pro ratione voluntat. But then 

 the danger of objections on the part of the re- 

 latives is imminent. 



Q. How are widows treated? 



A. (Anderson.) A rigid mourning is exacted 

 amongst most tribes, except along the north- 

 west coast, where frequently the females are 

 dominant and exercise the privileges of chieftan- 

 ship. 



A. (Tolmie.) -If the Sailish widow behaves 

 well she is treated well by the mother-in-law. In 

 about two years, or when her shorn locks regain 

 their wonted length, her mother-in-law points out 

 the relative of the deceased she ought to marry; 

 should she consent she is stillregarded as a relative, 

 but in case of refusal she is turned out of doors 

 and deprived of all the deceased's property. 



Q. Are they long or short-lived? 



A. (Anderson.) A hard question to answer. 

 Instances of extreme longevity are, however, 



