»! Anthropology : Social 



remained intact, or above all that pregnancy did not take place. 

 In almost all parts of Africa the women, especially the old 

 women, are adepts in the art of procuring abortion, either by 

 the administration of drugs or by the insertion of rude in- 

 struments. Many cases of possible disgrace are no doubt 

 disposed of by this means. Nevertheless it has occurred 



415. THK WOMEN'S DEVIL I'AKADINCi A VAI TOWN 



occasionally under the observation of European travellers that 

 men have been charged with the results of their immoral 

 dealings with unmarried girls and that both parties to this 

 offence have been severely punished, even occasionally by death. 

 It must be admitted that the stories of the io-Vf European 

 writers who have dealt with the native customs in Liberia are 

 rather conflicting on this head. 

 VOL. u 1041 34 



