306 TRAVELS TO DISCOVER 



practice in the botanical part of our work, where a draw- 

 ing of a moft beautiful tree *, ufed for this purpofe, is 

 given. 



Although we read from the Jefuits a great deal about 

 marriage and polygamy, yet there is nothing which may be 

 averred more truly than that there is no fuch thing as mar- 

 riage in Abyflinia, unlefs that which is contracted by mu- 

 tual confenr, without other form, fubfifting only till diflbl- 

 ved by diflent of one or other, and to be renewed or repeat- 

 ed as often as it is agreeable to both parties, who, when 

 they pleafe, cohabit together again as man and wife, after 

 having been divorced, had children by others, or whether 

 they have been married, or had children with others or not. 

 I remember to have once been at Kofcam in prefence of the 

 Iteghe, when, in the circle, there was a woman of great qua- 

 lity, and feven men who had all been her huibands, none 

 of whom was the happy fpoufe at that time. 



Upon feparation they divide the children. The eldeftfon 

 falls to the mother's tirft choice, and the eldeft daughter to 

 the father. If there is but one daughter, and all the refl 

 fons, flie is affigned to the father. If there is but one fon, 

 and all the reft daughters, he is the right of the mother. If 

 the numbers are unequal after the firft election, the refl are 

 divided by lot. There is no fuch diftinction as legitimate 

 and illegitimate children from the king to the beggar ; for 

 fuppofing any one of their marriages valid, all the iflue of 

 the relt rnufl be adulterous baitards. 



One 



Vide appendix, article Cuflb. 



