TRIBAL SOCIETY 271 



primitive men must have similar usages. But the first 

 discoverers of tlie Australian natives found that they had 

 no conception of excliange. Their interest was not even 

 aroused hy the ornaments offered them, and gifts which 

 had been presented to them were cast away in neglect 

 and strewn about the woods. The same experiences were 

 had with the Indian tribes of Brazil. Wui in spite of this 

 apparent absence of modern usage, the tribes carried on 

 a brisk trade in pots, stone hatchets, hammocks, cotton 

 threads, necklaces of mussel-shells, and a variety of other 

 articles. Direct observation showed that the explanation 

 of this riddk' was in fact simple enough, — the transfer 

 of goods was not true economic exchange, but ensued by 

 way of presents, and, under certain circumstances, by 

 way of robbery, spoils of war, tribute, fine, compensa- 

 tion, and winnings in gaming. A virtual community of 

 goods prevails between members of the same tribes in 

 matters of sustenance. Customs of hospitality are most 

 liberal. When a herd of cattle is slaughtered, the 

 passer-by must be invited to the meal. One may freely 

 enter a hut and ask for food and is never refused. When 

 there is a poor harvest, it is the custom for whole com- 

 munities to visit their neighbors, who are expected to 

 support them. The customs of loaning articles of use 

 and implements is universal and all but obligatory. 

 There is no private property in land. Surplus stores can 

 be utilized only for consumption, since all households pro- 

 duce similar commodities and assist each other when need 

 arises. Hence there is no occasion for direct barter.^'" 



Between the tribes of this locality rules of hospitality 

 prevail which necessitate the presentation of a gift to the 

 stranger. * 'After a certain interval he reciprocates, and 



•"0 Bik'lier, Ci\v\— Industrial Knthitiun. I'.IDl. jip. r>0-S2. 



