76 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



of ideas, because it leaves out the distinctive element of a 

 general conception. 



The characteristics of the mind exhibited by animals was 

 then discussed, and the conclusion reached that from such 

 the human intellect could not be developed. 



Dr. Porter, in conclusion, adverted to Huxley's Life of 

 Hume, and objected to such terms as " potential beliefs of 

 memory" and "potential beliefs of expectation" as being a 

 method of hiding the author's confusion of thought. 



TWENTY-SIXTH REGULAR MEETING. 



June 15, 1880. 



Wyandot Government — A Short Study of Tribal So- 

 ciety. 



By J. W. POWELL. 



In the social organization of the Wyandots four groups 

 are recognized, the family, the gens, the phratry, and the 

 tribe. 



THE FAMILY. 



The family, as the term is here used, is nearly synonym- 

 ous with the household. It is composed of the persons who 

 occupy one lodge, or in their permanent wigwams, one sec- 

 tion of a communal dwelling. These permanent dwellings 

 are constructed in an oblong form, of poles interwoven with 

 bark. The fire is placed in line along the centre, and is 

 usually built for two families, one occupying the place on 

 each side of the fire. 



The head of the family is a woman. 



THE GENS. 



The gens is an organized body of consanguineal kindred 

 in the female line. " The woman carries the gens," is the 



