INDIAN CLASSES. 6j 



The diftinctions of families are important in regu- 

 lating intermarriages. Genealogy is made a particu- 

 lar ftudy ; and the greater! attention is given to regu- 

 late the marriages according to eftablifhed rules, par- 

 ticularly in the firft marriage of the eldeft fon. The 

 principal points to be obferved are, not to marry with- 

 in the prohibited degrees; nor in a family known by 

 its name to be of the fame primitive flock ; nor in a 

 family of inferior rank; nor even in an inferior 

 branch of an equal family ; for within fome families 

 gradations are eftablifhed. Thus, among the Culina 

 of the Cay aft 9 has, the rank has been counted from 

 thirteen degrees; and in every generation, fo long as 

 the marriage has been properly aflbrted, one degree has 

 been added to the rank. But mould a marriage be 

 contracted in a family of a lower degree, an entire for- 

 feiture of fuch rank would be incurred. 



The fubject is intricate; but any perfon, defirous 

 of acquiring information upon it, may refer to the 

 writings of Gaftacas, or genealogifts, whofe compo- 

 sitions are in the provincial dialed:, and are known by 

 the name of Cidaju 



