70 SYSTEMS OP CONSANGUINITY AND AFFINITY. 



The Kuzulbashi closes the series of nations comprised in the Uralian family, 

 whose system of consanguinity is given in the Table. A comparison of their 

 several forms shows them to agree in their fundamental characteristics. Upon the 

 basis of this agreement, but more particularly upon the ground of total variance 

 between the system of the Turanian family proper and that of the Ugrian and 

 Turk nations, the Uralian family has been constituted. Although the number of 

 nations, whose system has been procured, is small in comparison with the number 

 unrepresented, and for this reason may seem inadequate to establish properly the 

 foundations of a new family, it will be found, in the sequel, that they are entitled 

 to an independent position. 



The system of consanguinity and affinity of the Aryan and Semitic families, and 

 of the Uralian, so far as it is given in the Table, is one and the same in general 

 plan and in fundamental conceptions. In each family, the system, as it now pre- 

 vails, is in accordance Avith the nature of descents where marriage subsists between 

 single pairs, and the family in its proper sense exists. It recognizes the distinction 

 between the several lines, and the perpetual divergence of those which are col- 

 lateral from that which is lineal, together with the bond of connection through 

 ascertainable common ancestors. Advancing a step beyond this, such generaliza- 

 tions of kindred into classes as it contains, limit the members of each class to 

 such persons as stand in the same degree of nearness to Ego. These generaliza- 

 tions are suggested, with more or less distinctness, by the principles of the system 

 with which they are in harmony, and out of which they rise by natural develop- 

 ment. In so far as nature may be said to teach this form of consanguinity, the 

 nations comprised in each of these great families have read her lessons alike. It 

 is not, however, a necessary inference that the descriptive system springs up spon- 

 taneously, and consequently that all nations must inevitably gravitate toward this 

 form ; since it is known that much the largest portion of tlie human family, numeri- 

 cally, have a system radically different, the forms of which have stood permanently 

 for ages upon ages. It is far easier to conceive of the formation of the descriptive 

 than of the classificatory system ; but when once formed and adopted into use, 

 each is found to possess, to an extraordinary degree, the power of self-perpetuation. 

 In the foregoing exposition of the descriptive system of rektionship, the utmost 

 brevity, consistent with an intelligible presentation of the subject, has been sought. 

 At best it is but a superficial discussion of the materials contained in the Table. 

 It was necessary to show: first, the nature and principles of the system; secondly, 

 the ethnic boundaries of its distribution ; and thirdly, the concurrence of these 

 three great families in its possession. To these propositions the discussion has been 

 chiefly confined. The bearing which the joint possession of the descriptive system 

 by these families may have upon the question of their ethnic connection, and 

 which is believed to be deserving of consideration, is entirely subordinate to 

 another, and that the main object of this work, to which attention will now be 

 directed. It is to present the classificatory system of relationship of the American 

 Indian and Turanian families, to show their identity, and to indicate some of the 

 conclusions which result therefrom. Having ascertained the nature and limits of 

 the descriptive system, it will be much easier to understand the classificatory, 

 although it rests upon conceptions altogether difterent. 



