THE INDIANS OF GUIANA. 63 
presents of game to, or barter for them with the parents ; 
a Captain of Caraibs had in this way thirty wives of 
different nations. These women seldom living at peace 
with each other, have each a separate house, in which 
they live with their children ; the game or fish caught by 
the husband, he divides amongst them according to the 
number of children each has, at meal time a mat is spread 
on the ground which answers for a table, at which he 
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places himself, each wife bringing to him her share of 
meat, a cassava cake, or bread made of Indian corn, 
after which they walk out without uttering a single word 
to him, little caring whether he partakes of it or not. 
After a lapse of time each wife brings a calabash of 
Chica or other beverage, which they place before him 
for his use; meal time over, the wife takes what is left 
with her children. Each wife has likewise her share of 
working the ground after the husband has cleared 
it, they plant, without disturbing their neighbours; 
quarrels nevertheless often take place amongst them. 
From all this it is seen that the women must serve them 
like slaves, and are not only obliged to take care of the 
_ children and the housekeeping, but have to cultivate the 
grounds, sow them, gather the fruits, fetch fuel and water, 
and what further is required for preparing their meats 
__ and beverages, nay, even sometimes to look for their 
husband’s meals; who only occupy themselves with 
hunting and fishing, and moreover oblige them to fetch 
the game they have shot, whilst they themselves lazily 
_ and unemployedly lie in their hammocks, making use 
_ Of their legs only in war, in traffic and dance, hunting 
and fishing. 
When they take a dislike to their wives, they separate 
