yirr.EK] KARITY OF ADOPTIOX 279* 



with the cnstoins of the Seri], endured for many years and ending at 

 last in unpitied death. 



Collectively the cases seeni to define a germ, rather than a mature 

 cnstom, of adoption. In the first case a benefactor (by means regarded 

 as magical) was formally inducted into the reigning family; in the 

 secojid case the conquering hero (through what were again regarded as 

 magical means) was less fornuilly recognized and venerated, even wor- 

 shiped, as an all-powerful shaman; while in the third case a represent- 

 ative of the doughtiest alien tribe was enslaved, probably with motives 

 akin to those expressed in the carrying of chargeless guns, the making 

 of imitation machetes, and other fetishistic devices. Excei)t in the 

 first instance there is no indication of consistent custom; but since the 

 entire history of the tribe clearly contradicts regulated adoption of 

 aliens (and indeed affords uo other example), it must be inferred that 

 any such custom is intratribal rather than intertribal. 



MARRIAGE 



The most striking and significant social facts discovered among the 

 Seri relate to marriage customs. 



As noted repeatedly elsewhere, the tribal pojjulation is preponder- 

 antly feminine, so that polygyny naturally prevails; the number of 

 wives reaches three or possibly four, averaging about two, though the 

 younger warriors commonly Lave but one, and there are always a num- 

 ber of spouseless (widowed) dames but no single men of marriageable 

 age. So far as could be ascertained, no special formalities attend the 

 taking of supernumerary wives, who are usually widowed sisters of the 

 flrstspoHse; it seems to be practically a family affair, governed by con- 

 sidei'ations of convenience rather than established regulations — au 

 irregularity combining with other facts to suggest that polygyny is 

 incidental, and perhaps of comparatively recent origin. 



The primary mating of the Seri is attended by observances so elabo- 

 rate as to show that marriage is one of the profoundest sacraments of 

 the tribe, jjenetrating the innermost recesses of tribal thought, and 

 interwoven with the essential fibers of tribal existence. Few if any 

 other peoples devote such anxious care to their mating as do the Seri;' 

 and among no other known tribe or folk is the moral aspect of conjugal 

 union so rigorously guarded by collective action and individual devotion. 



The initial movement towai'd formal marriage seems to be somewhat 

 indefinite (or perhaps, rather, spontaneous); according to Mashc'-m it 

 may be made either by the i^rospective groom or else by his father, 

 though not directly by the maiden or her kinswomen. In any event 

 the prerequisites for the union are provisionally determined in the 

 suitor's family; these relate to the suitability of age, the propriety of 



' Perhaps the closeat parallel in this respect is that found in the elaborate marriage regulations pre- 

 Tailing amon;^ the Australian aborigines, as described by Spenoer and Gillen, Walter E. Roth, and 

 other modern observers . 



