12 THK PPGMIES, 



Among Negritos, everywhere the family seems to have survived 

 the general decline of the race. A Sepoy deserter whose asser- 

 tions have been too easily accepted by some writers, represented it 

 as rather loosely constituted in the Andaman islands. Information 

 gathered by Lieutenant St. John - ( x ) and particularly by Mr. Day, 

 ( 2 ) has corrected what was erroneous in these early reports. The 

 Mincopies are monogamous. Marriage only takes place with 

 the consent of the guardian of the maidens, who sanctions the 

 union of the pair by joining their hands together. The duties of 

 man and wife are reciprocal, and the parents evince the most ten- 

 der affection for their offspring. ( 3 ) In the Philippine Islands 

 La Gironxie he ascertained analogous facts, even among the wretched 

 and savage tribe which he visited. " The Aetas, T ' says he, "are faith - 

 " ful in wedlock and have but one wife." When a young man has 

 made his choice, he applies to the parents, who never refuse 

 their consent, but send the girl into the forest where she hides 

 herself before daybreak. The young man has to find her, and, if 

 he does not succeed, has to relinquish all claim. (*) It is evident 

 that the decision really depends on the young girl. 



M. Mobttano's notes confirm and complete the information 

 given by La G-ironnikre. He moreover acquaints us with the 

 curious ceremony which ratifies wedlock among the A etas of 

 Luzon. The young couple climb up two flexible trees which 

 an old man bends down towards each other. When the head of the 

 bridegroom touches that of the young woman the marriage is pro- 

 nounced legal and is followed by a big feast and war dances. 



I also borrow from the same traveller the following interesting 

 particulars relating to the Negritos of Mindanao. 



" Among the miserable Mamanuas, those ancient owners of the 



Batin, his successor is chosen from among- the sons of one of his sisters. 

 (The BintM of Johore. Journal of the Indian Archl-pelago, Vol. I, p. 21b). 

 (i) Loc. cit. p, 245. 



(2) Loc. cit. p. 160. 



(3) MOUAT, Adventure* and Researches among the Andaman Islanders, 

 p. 295. 



( i ) Loc. cit. p. 302. 



