18 



a sharp shell or mussel, and sometimes witli a white flinty kind 

 o£ quartz, which is procured from some distance under ground, 

 and the hole is carefully covered up again. After the operation 

 a small stick or bone is placed in the canal to keep it open. 

 As the wound heals the penis shrivels up, and has, in its col- 

 lapsed state, the appearance of a large button. According to 

 the statement of the women the men so operated upon cannot 

 beget children, although able to have connection with them, 

 and for that purpose are preferred to the others. It appears 

 that the strongest and able-bodied youths are generally selected 

 for this operation, which is considered an honour among the 

 tribe. 



Por the information on this subject I am indebted to Mr. 

 George de Lautour, who has on several occasions travelled 

 through these tribes, and at my request collected the above 

 information. 



