386 SMITHSONIAN MISCELLANEOUS COLLECTIONS VOL. 1 33 



Children rarely lie; they were and are taught not to. If a child 

 steals, it is made to return the stolen thing. A boy's personality was 

 predicted from his conduct while he was under the influence of an 

 intoxicating beverage. With the express permission of the father, men 

 in their twenties drank to intoxication. Chums were not institutional ; 

 lifelong friendships occasionally existed. No sex instructions were 

 given, but in rare instances a girl was told the purpose of menstruation. 

 At first menses, but not at any subsequent ones, the girl was isolated 

 in a corner of the toldo. There was no puberty rite for boys. Two 

 institutional performances were, however, sometimes transacted when 

 a boy's voice had changed, namely a personality prediction test and 

 one known as katan kawiii — one similar to the katawe. 



Adult behavior. — A low hairline, an Araucanian trait, and facial 

 hair are not desired ; both are removed. Bathing is done daily by 

 many ; hair is washed whenever a bath is taken. Formerly, personal 

 adornments of both men and women were silver bracelets, earrings, 

 necklaces, rings, and studding on belts. Women also used silver stick- 

 pins and hair ornaments; men often decorated with silver their 

 saddles, stirrups, bridles, and the handles of long knives. 



Modesty in women was highly esteemed; it was taught to girls. 

 Courtesy, helpfulness, and hospitality were also taught and were met 

 with everywhere during the present study, especially where old per- 

 sons dominated the situation. Pride, especially pride in one's intelli- 

 gence, is one of the predominating characteristics. Feeblemindedness 

 is exceedingly rare. Anger is seldom displayed, but once aroused it is 

 vociferous. There was very little quarreling, probably because of 

 early training. 



Murder by violence was a rare thing ; death by poisoning as revenge 

 was more frequent. Death as a penalty was institutional. Profane 

 expressions were not used; words of imprecation and insult were. 

 Suicides occur occasionally, usually due to sadness. A woman com- 

 mits suicide by hanging herself ; a man, by cutting his throat or stab- 

 bing his abdomen and, in more recent years, by using a revolver. 



The word of an adult can generally be relied upon. Seldom was 

 anything stolen in the early days ; in cases of theft the cacique ordered 

 that the stolen article be returned. Today, there is seldom anything 

 stolen from an Araucanian; but sheep are occasionally stolen from 

 non-Araucanians. Drinking to intoxication, formerly, was a communal 

 affair; today individuals drink to excess whenever sufficient chicha 

 or wine can be obtained. 



Teaching the child. — Parents were the primary instructors of the 

 child. Methods used were those of direct verbal instruction, observa- 



