398 SYSTEMS OF CONSANGUINITY AND AFFINITY 



exists, amongst the Hill Tribes of South India would be especially interesting, 

 since it might be found less developed, and consequently nearer the primitive 

 Turanian form. If any difference exists upon a principal relationship, it will prob- 

 ably be found to occur in the relationship between the children of a brother and 

 sister. This relationship of cousin is the last developed in the order of time, and, 

 as we have seen, is frequently wanting. 



The preservation of this system in the three principal dialects of the Dravidian 

 language since the period of their formation, and through such changes of condi- 

 tion, attests in a remarkable manner the permanence of the system, and its power 

 of self-perpetuation. These facts can only be explained by the recognition of the 

 system as a domestic institution. As such it must be regarded as one of the 

 oldest existing institutions of the human family. 



