THE PUNISHMENT OF INCONSTANCY. 233 
Q. To what age do females continue to 
bear children, and how long do they suckle 
them ? 
A. (Anderson.) —Probably from 40 to 46. It 
is hard to arrive at the ages of Indians, male or 
female. 2nd. Sometimes from two till three 
years. | 
Q. Is chastity cultivated or defective? 
A. (Anderson.)—Among the interior tribes 
chastity is avirtue. Among the fish-eaters of the 
north-west coast it has no meaning, or if it has it 
appears to be utterly disregarded. 
A. (Tolmie.)—Amongst the interior tribes, 
in primitive times,'breaches of chastity on the 
part either of married or unmarried females were 
often punished with death, inflicted either by 
the brother or husband. Amongst the fish- 
eating tribes of the rivers and coast chastity was 
less esteemed. A vast deterioration in this re- 
spect has taken place amongst all the Indian 
tribes since the influx of whites amongst them. 
Q. What are the ceremonies and _ practices 
connected with marriage ? 
A. (Anderson. )—Interchange of presents chiefly | 
and a purchase-money accruing to the father of 
the bride. Among certain tribes a kind of ap- 
