86 Cincinnati Society of Natural History. 
2d, The FRATRY are an assemblage of related gentes, united for 
certain common objects. 
3d, The rripe, an assemblage of fratres, all of whom speak the 
same dialect. 
Intermarriage of the gens is prohibited. These subdivisions are 
best displayed in the organization of the Mohegan tribes. It had 
three original “ gentes,’’ as the Wor, the TurTLE and the Tur- 
KEY. They are as follows: 
1. WOLF FRATRY. 
Gentes. 1 Wolf; 2 Bear; 3 Dog; 4 Opossum. 
2. LURE pRALRY. 
Gentes. 5 Little Turtle; 6 Mud Turtle; 7 Great Turtle; 8 Yel- 
low Eel. 
3. TURKEY FRATRY. 
Gentes. 9 Turkey ; ro Crane; 11 Prame Chicken 
All our Indians have their special designation painted on their 
buffalo robes, or wear it as a talisman about their necks. The 
Quiches wore a white mantle over their shoulders, upon which 
were depicted the pictures of birds, ocelots, wolves, dogs, deer, ser- 
pents, apes, birds, etc. 
Laws they had none, but their customs were founded upon jus- 
tice and equity. Disputes were arbitrated by friends, and by public 
opinion. ‘Chieves were required to make restitution. Murder was 
punished by-death inflicted on the criminal or on his nearest of kin 
by the kindred of the deceased. Sometimes gifts or captives taken 
in war were accepted as a compromise. 
Witchcraft was generally punished as a private wrong. Some- 
times by the decree of council. 
Among some tribes, women and even infants governed in virtue 
of hereditary right. Hereditary right was recognized among the 
Sioux, the Wyandots, Osages, Pawnees and other tribes. Kingly 
ceremonies were observed, and Columbus describes a chief of 
Hayti, who came to see him, carried ona palanquin by his subjects, 
and who treated him with the greatest respect. 
Powhatan, the father of Pocahontas, exercised absolute sway 
over his subordinate chiefs. Smith says he was obeyed, ‘‘ not only 
as a king, but asa demigod they esteem him ; what he commandeth 
they dare not disobey in the leastthing.”” * * In Mexico there 
