of the Sexes among the Todas. 



485 



time of his census. These figures, in which both living and dead 

 offspring were reckoned, I have condensed into the following table. 



Table III. 



From this table the conclusion is obvious that for $s of the 

 later generation (aged 18 — 40) both the proportion of ^s shows a 

 marked diminution as compared with % s of the earlier generation 

 (aged 42 — 65), thus affording a striking confirmation of the results 

 deduced from the present data (Table II.)*. 



Returning now to the cause of this sterility, Dr Rivers has 

 suggested to me two possible factors, viz., syphilis and immorality. 

 The introduction of syphilis among the Todas is comparatively 

 recent, and, in spite of the absence of skilled medical treatment, 

 its outward and visible signs are rarely to be met with. Dr Rivers 

 considers that, whilst not of sufficiently common occurrence to 

 account for the low fertility, it may be in some measure a con- 

 tributing cause. Doubtless we must turn to the other suggested 

 factor for a partial explanation of the observed sterility. One of 

 the most marked effects which more frequent intercourse with the 

 outer world has produced among the Todas is the low standard of 

 morality practised by the women in matters sexual. Extended 

 polyandrous association would appear to have blunted the feminine 

 instinct of comparative chastity characteristic of monogamous 

 peoples. Habitual cohabitation with several males would seem 

 to have rendered the women indifferent as to the number to 

 whom they granted their favours when lessened isolation enlarged 

 the scope of their opportunities. Consequently it is likely that in 

 increased intercourse with the extra-Todan world we must look for 

 the cause both of the diminution in the proportion of ^s and also 

 of the increase of sterility. Now the Tartharol tribe has been sub- 

 ject to external influences to a greater extent than the Teivaliol. 



* The average size of the family also shows a great reduction in the younger ? s 

 as compared with the older (3 -2 : 6-3). Much stress however cannot be laid on this 

 as the average age of the younger group of ? s was only 28-2, and some of them 

 would undoubtedly have borne more children. In view of the shortness of the 

 fertile period and the early age of marriage among the ? s it is almost certain that the 

 average size of the family in this group would in the end have been markedly less 

 than that of the older group, indicating here also progressive sterility in the race. 



