218 KAMBLES OF A NATURALIST. 



things certainly exhibits a marked contrast to the 

 habits observed among Celtic or Germanic popula- 

 tions. 



The Basque mountaineers present another very 

 characteristic and remarkable custom. When a 

 woman is confined, the husband takes to his bed 

 with the new-born infant, and there receives the 

 congratulations of his neighbours, whilst the wife at 

 once rises and busies herself with the cares of the 

 household.* M. Chaho explains this singular custom 

 by the legend of A'itor. During his exile on the 

 mountain, this father of the Euskaldunac had a son, 

 and the mother fearing, if she remained alone with 

 her child, that his life might be endangered, placed 

 him under the care of her husband, while she herself 

 went forth to seek the food necessary for the whole of 

 the family. From this time the Basques have main- 

 tained this singular ceremony, in memory of the rude 

 existence of their first parents. It will be readily 

 understood that we can scarcely admit the truth of 

 this explanation of a custom which is so contrary to 

 our own habits, and we are more disposed to regard 

 it as a remnant of that barbarism which is to be 

 found among so many savage nations, where man as 

 the warrior is all and everything, while woman is 

 regarded as of no account. 



* This strange custom exists among some of the tribes of Africa 

 and among the savages of America. It appears also to have pre- 

 vailed amongst the Tibari, a Scythian people who inhabited the 

 borders of the Euxine Sea. It was also found, according to the 

 testimony of Diodorus Siculus, in the island of Corsica. (Graslin, 

 De Vlberie.) 



