MARITAL JEALOUSY 239 



amuse themselves ; he told the women to consent 

 if they were approached by a young man, for this was 

 their opportunity ; and he called to the young men 

 not to beat or anger their wives, or be jealous during 

 the dance : they might make a woman cry, but mean- 

 while she would surely be thinking of some other 

 young man. At such dances the old women say to 

 the girls : * We are old, and our skin is not smooth ; 

 we are of no use. But you are young and plump ; 

 therefore find enjoyment. We have to take care of 

 the children, and the time will come when you will do 

 the same/" 1 



In Central America the sexual morality of the 

 Mosquito Indians leaves much to be desired from 

 our point of view. To be sure, a married pair will 

 seldom separate, though either of them can do so at 

 pleasure ; for wives are hard to find and to be without 

 a wife is not only an ignominious but a most distress- 

 ing plight for an Indian. Whether in consequence of 

 this or not, the women are allowed complete freedom 

 and infidelity is common. The husband if he discover 

 it is usually contented with payment of the customary 

 fine. 2 In Mexico, according to Mr. Lumholtz, the 

 uncivilised Tarahumare is in the ordinary course of 

 his existence too bashful and modest to enforce even 

 his matrimonial rights and privileges. Happily there 

 are numerous feasts, as well private as public, at which 

 tesvino, the national intoxicating liquor made from 

 Indian corn, is offered to the gods and consumed by 

 mortals, else the race would die out. On these oc- 

 casions sacrifices are offered, dancing and drink are 



1 Kroeber, Bull. Am. Mus. N. H. xviii. 15. 



2 Bell, Tangweera> 261. Cf. 197. 



