SOCIAL RELATIONS. 
319 
considered the absolute property of the husband, 
and can be given away, or exchanged, or lent, ac- 
cording to his caprice. A husband is denominated 
in the Adelaide dialect, Yongarra, Martanya (the 
owner or proprietor of a wife). Female children are 
betrothed usually from early infancy, and such ar- 
rangements are usually adhered to; still in many 
cases circumstances occur frequently to cause an 
alteration ; but if not, the girls generally go to live 
with their husbands about the age of twelve, and 
sometimes even before that. Relatives nearer than 
cousins are not allowed to marry, and this alliance 
does not generally take place. Female orphans 
belong to the nearest male relative, as also does a 
widow, instead of to the nearest male relative of the 
husband, as was found to be the case in Western 
Australia by Captain Grey. Two or three months 
generally elapse before the widow goes to another 
husband ; but if the wife dies, the man takes another 
as soon as he can get one. If a woman, having 
young children, join another tribe, the children go 
with her; but I am not aware whether they would 
remain permanently attached to that tribe or not. 
Brothers often barter their sisters for wives for 
themselves, but it can only be done with the parents’ 
consent, or after their death. If a wife be stolen, 
war is always continued until she is given up, or 
another female in her place. 
There is no ceremony connected with the under- 
taking of marriage. In those cases where I have 
