Ch. iv. among; the American Indians. 37 



6 



greater force in the prevention of a rising popu- 

 lation than in its subsequent destruction. 



It was generally remarked, that the American 

 women were far from being prolific* This un- 

 fruitfulness has been attributed by some to a want 

 of ardour in the men towards their women, a fea- 

 ture of character, which has been considered as 

 peculiar to the American savage. It is not how- 

 ever peculiar to this race, but probably exists in a 

 great degree among all barbarous nations, whose 

 food is poor and insufficient, and who live in a 

 constant apprehension of being pressed by famine 

 or by an enemy. Bruce frequently takes notice 

 of it, particularly in reference to the Galla and 

 Shangalla, savage nations on the borders of Abys- 

 sinia,-!" and Vaillant mentions the phlegmatic tem- 

 perament of the Hottentots as the chief reason of 

 their thin population. \ It seems to be generated 

 by the hardships and dangers of savage life, which 

 take off the attention from the sexual passion ; 

 and that these are the principal causes of it among 

 the Americans, rather than any absolute constitu- 

 tional defect, appears probable, from its dimi- 



* Robertson, b. iv. p. IOC. Burke's America, vol. i. p. 18". 

 Charlevoix, Hist, de la Nouvelle Fiance, torn. iii. p. 304. Lafitau, 

 Moeurs des Sauvages, torn. i. p. 590. In the course of this chapter 

 I often give the same references as Robertson ; but never without 

 having examined and verified them myself. Where I have not had 

 an opportunity of doing this, I refer to Robertson alone. 



f Travels to discover the Source of the Nile, vol. ii. pp. 223, 

 559. 



} Voyage dans l'lntericur de I'Afrique, torn. i. p. 12, 13. 



