250 PRIMITIVE PATERNITY 



and everywhere superseded by a mode of reckoning 

 descent and family allegiance in which paternity would 

 have had its due consideration ; and it is very doubt- 

 ful whether any distinguishable relics of the earlier 

 organisation of society would have remained. 



When side by side with these customs and institutions 

 we place the world-wide and persistent beliefs and 

 practices which derive the origin of a child from some- 

 thing else than the natural act of generation, we are 

 led to the further conclusion that not merely is actual 

 paternity of small account but, strange as it may seem, 

 it is even not understood. By this I do not mean that 

 its processes are not scientifically known : that is a 

 matter of course. Nor do I mean that everywhere 

 where these institutions these practices or these beliefs 

 prevail there is now absolute ignorance on this subject. 

 What I do mean is that for generations and seons the 

 truth that a child is only born in consequence of an 

 act of sexual union, that the birth of a child is the 

 natural consequence of such an act performed in 

 favouring circumstances, and that every child must be 

 the result of such an act and of no other cause, was 

 not realised by mankind, that down to the present 

 day it is imperfectly realised by some peoples, and that 

 there are still others among whom it is unknown. 



Such ignorance is by no means so incredible as at 

 the first blush it may appear. It is of a piece with 

 the ignorance and misconception relating to man's 

 nature and environment and his position in the 

 universe, prevalent in all but the highest culture. 

 Comprehension of the process of birth, as of all other 

 natural processes, can only be attained by close patient 

 and unprejudiced ^observation. Observation of that 



