EXOGAMY IN CHINA 131 



The apparent digression just made by the writer 

 shows how difficult it is to discuss under separate head- 

 ings and to set out in an orderly manner matters which 

 are in fact closely bound together parts of a whole. 



Before therefore discussing further the theory 

 of "reformatory legislation" as a possible origin of 

 exogamy, and the influence of any such direct and 

 conscious interference upon the Chinese family, and 

 its bearing upon Chinese exogamy, one must study the 

 Chinese designations of kindred; the Chinese terms of 

 relationship, and the bearing as regards the origin of 

 Chinese civilization of the so-called " classincatory 

 system of relationship." 



Having dealt with the avoidance of names and 

 cognate matters, the other of the great "avoidances," 

 that of "sex," and therein of the avoidance of blood as 

 in force in ancient China, must be considered before 

 -one could form a considered opinion as to the origin 

 of "exogamy." 



The time at our disposal to-night is too short to 

 here make such enquiry, but I may be allowed to 

 shortly state what I think the result of such a search 

 would be. 



Lord Avebury epitomises the answers already 



given to the riddle of "Exogamy" as follows: — 



"The principal theories which have been suggested Avebury, 

 ii Marriage, 



have been : — Totemism and 



1. That of Plutarch, adopted by Tylor, that it Jijftf,,,. 

 was a political expedient to strengthen the tribe by 

 foreign alliances, and union between different tribes. 



2. That suggested by McLennan and adopted by 

 Morgan and others, that it was due to the prevalence 

 of female infanticide and the consequent scarcity of 

 women. 



3. That of C. O. Muller, that it was due to 

 coyness. 



4. That it was a social reform due to the moral 

 sense of women. 



5. That it was due to a recoil from marriage with 

 an early housemate. 



6. That it was arranged by chiefs to prevent the 

 marriage of near relations. 



7. That of Mr. Girard Teulon, that communities 

 which from any special circumstances took to marrying 

 out, would gain so much in physical vigour that they 

 would secure predominance, and exogamy would even- 

 tually become a custom enjoined by law. 



