GOVERNMENT. 
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have been killed, or of relations who have died. 
Spears, and other offensive arms, are supposed 
to possess additional powers if thus treated ; and 
nets and other implements for procuring game 
are imagined to become much more effectual in 
ensnaring prey. In setting nets, too, the natives have 
a practice of taking up a handful of water to the 
mouth, and then squirting it out over the net, in a 
shower of spray, this they think is a powerful charm 
to ensure the fish being caught. 
There can hardly be said to be any form of govern- 
ment existing among a people who recognize no 
authority, and where every member of the commu- 
nity is at liberty to act as he likes, except, in so far 
as he may be influenced by the general opinions or 
wishes of the tribe, or by that feeling which prompts 
men, whether in civilised or savage communities to 
bend to the will of some one or two persons who 
may have taken a more prominent and leading part 
than the rest in the duties and avocations of life. 
Among none of the tribes yet known have chiefs 
ever been found to be acknowledged, though in all 
there are always some men who take the lead, and 
whose opinions and wishes have great weight with 
the others. 
Other things being equal, a man’s authority and in- 
fluence increase among his tribe in proportion to his 
years. To each stage of life through which he passes 
is given some additional knowledge or power, and he 
is privileged to carry an additional number of im- 
