74 Of the Checks to Population in Bk. i. 



cieties,* which have justly occasioned so much 

 surprise among civilized nations. They have been 

 so often described, that little more need be said 

 of them here, than that promiscuous intercourse 

 and infanticide appear to be their fundamental 

 laws. They consist exclusively of the higher 

 classes ; " and" (according to Mr. Anderson)! 

 " so agreeable is this licentious plan of life to their 

 " disposition, that the most beautiful of both sexes 

 " thus commonly spend their youthful days, habi- 

 " tuated to the practice of enormities that would 

 " disgrace the most savage tribes. ****When an 

 " Eareeoie woman is delivered of a child, a piece 

 " of cloth dipped in water is applied to the mouth 

 " and nose, which suffocates it.":}: Captain Cook 

 observes, " It is certain that these societies 

 " greatly prevent the increase of the superior 

 " classes of people, of which they are composed." 1 ^ 

 Of the truth of this observation there can be no 

 doubt. 



Though no particular institutions of the same 

 nature have been found among the lower classes; 

 yet the vices which form their most prominent 



* Cook's First Voyage, vol. ii. p. 207, et seq. Second Voyage, 

 vol. i. p. 352. Third Voyage, vol. ii. p. 157, et seq. Missionary 

 Voyage, Appendix, p. 347, 4to. 



f Mr. Anderson acted in the capacity of naturalist and surgeon 

 in Cook's last voyage. Captain Cook, and all the officers of the 

 expedition, seem to have had a very high opinion of his talents and 

 accuracy of observation. His accounts, therefore, may be looked 

 upon as of the first authority. 



{ Cook's Third Voyage, vol. ii. p. 158, 159. 



§ Id. Second Voyage, vol. i. p. ,352. 



