ex VI REPORT OF THE BUREAU OF ETHNOLOGY 



them their wives aud childi-en 8wch wives and chikh-eii are 

 no longer under the power of the eldermen; they are geo- 

 graphically separated from them, for the men of the clan who 

 work together are distinct from the men of the other clans 

 where each group fishes by itself Hunting is often managed 

 in this manner liy clans. Such annual hunting and fishing 

 excursions weaken the authority of the mothers, lirothers, and 

 uncles, and stfengthen the authority of husbands and fathers. 

 But there are two agencies which seem to be even more potent. 

 Agriculture is born in arid lands where irrigation is necessary, 

 and the men of the clan unite to manage the stream which is 

 used in irrigation and to protect the cro])s which lie under the 

 canals, though the crops themselves may be cultivated chiefly 

 by the women. Here again there is a geographical segrega- 

 tion of the women and children under the immediate supervi- 

 sion and control of husbands and fathers. Finally, animals are 

 domesticated and there are flocks and herds under the control 

 of the men. The pasturage for one clan flock is in one valley 

 and for another clan flock in another valley, for the property 

 is tlms kept apart; and this also serves to segregate the women 

 from the men of their clan kindred and ])lace them under the 

 authority of husbands and fathers. By all of these methods 

 clanship is broken down and a new fundamental method of 

 reckoning in kinship is developed through males; this is the 

 gens. Much time may be taken in making these changes, 

 wliile the authority of the clan is gradually weakened and the 

 autliority of the gens established. Many of the tribes of 

 North America are in the transition^xl stage. 



When the change is made, councils as well as ecclesiastic 

 bodies are still controlled by men, but the regimentation is rad- 

 ically distinct. Perhaps the most fundamental change that 

 comes is the right of the father over his own children, especially 

 hi' deciding tlieir marriage relations, for this right is not trans- 

 ferred from clan to gens, but from clan to father. With this 

 change comes another of fundamental importance. Witli the 

 acquisition of herds, farming lands, and stores of grain, Avealth 

 is accumulated, and this wealtli is controlled by the gentile 

 patriarchs. It is no longer chin pr(t|)ert\', but gentile property 



