176 ASIATIC TRIBES OF NORTH AMERICA. 



comment ; and Martin Sauer in this respect accords the palm to the 

 Tungus over all the Siberian peoples he met with in his journeyings. 

 By this feature the Tinneh are separated from the Tartar Yakuts, in 

 .spite of the Yakutats being Tinneh, and from the Peninsular 

 tribes represented by the Koriaks and Ainos. The latter, especially, 

 are fierce, intractable warriors, which the Tinneh are not, for, 

 although cruel enough in their conduct towards the feeble 

 Esquimaux, they stand in wholesome dread of the Algonquin Cree, 

 who, though of a widely different race, reminds them of tjieir ancient 

 foe, the Yakut. Mongolian craft and cunning mark the Athabascan, 

 who, with all his docility, is wanting in the savage nobility, the 

 regard for truth and honor, that characterize equally the Algonquin 

 and the Iroquois. He is in no sense the typical red-man of history 

 and romance, but affords an opportunity for novel portraiture of 

 ladian character to the Coopers and Mayne Reids of the North-West. 

 In domestic and social relations there is absolute identity of custom 

 among Tungus and Tinneh. Government and laws they have 

 virtually none, and are thus incapable of any combination for purposes 

 of conquest. In this respect, howevei', the Mantchus, a Tungusic 

 people, present a notable exception. The understanding among them 

 I'elative to property in game, berries and personal effects coincides on 

 both continents. The marriage ceremony is a simple act of purchase in 

 either case, the only diffei'ence being that the modern Tungus having 

 domesticated the reindeer, barters that animal for his wife, while the 

 Athabascan must needs offer some other equivalent. Polygamy 

 characterizes the two peoples, who are equally jealous in regard to 

 their wives. But they agree, also, in the absence of chastity among 

 the unmarried, and in the un-American custom of lending their 

 daughters, sisters and female slaves to those whom they honor with 

 their hospitality. The first wife occupies the highest position among 

 Tungus and Tinneh, and, although the place of the married woman 

 is as in most barbarious nations, one of subjection, a larger shai-e in 

 domestic and even in public counsels is granted her in both nations 

 than is generally accorded to American Indian matrons. In matters 

 of religion there is much resemblance, both families being demon- 

 olators and sacrificing to evil spiidts, the dog being an object of 

 reverence, and their festivals and religious dances partaking of the 

 same character. They agree in consulting young men who have 

 l)reviou3ly pvspared themselvso by a process of fasting in the inter- 



