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 voluntas. 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 arelative, 
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, 
