572 SYSTEMS OF CONSANGUINITY AND AFFINITY 



tionships restricted to the same several classes of persons, but expressed by a single 

 term in common gender, Vungo' ; which, as an inchoate form, might be explained 

 by the desuetude of intermarriage between brothers and sisters followed by a par- 

 tial recognition of the consequent change of descents. But the Tongan, it must 

 be admitted, rises nearly to the Turanian standard. It presents the vital question 

 whether this change was an organic growth within the Malayan system, through 

 the progressive experience of the Malayan family ; or an intrusive element brought 

 in from Turanian sources. It will be seen at once that the antecedent history of 

 both the Tongan and Fijian nations is necessary to a solution of the question. If 

 the special linguistical and physical characteristics of these nations (who occupy 

 groups of contiguous islands) noticed by Messrs. Hale and Prichard indicate a 

 foreign element in their blood, and that element was Turanian, it would afford a 

 satisfactory explanation. Again, this precise change comes through the tribal 

 organization, which by abolishing the intermarriage of brothers and sisters touches 

 the relationships in question, and no others. This organization is found in an 

 incomplete form both among the Tongans and Fijians, as will be seen in the notes 

 of Mr. Fison. It also prevails amongst the Kusaiens. From this fact it becomes 

 also material to know whether it sprang up independently in these subdivisions of 

 the Malayan family, or was propagated into it from Turanian sources. When the 

 system of the Malayan family is completely ascertained it will reveal its own history. 



