276 
BIRMINGHAM NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. Dec., 1891 . 
provoked by a recent judicial decision tended to show that the 
laws relating to marriage were in an unsatisfactory condition, 
but that, before any decisive steps were taken, the subject 
required careful study from its scientific aspect. Mr. Spears 
expressed his belief that greater facilities for divorce were 
requisite, that the principle of monogamy was certain to be 
affirmed, as the one most adapted to higher civilisations, and 
that the moral value of any union was of more importance 
than the legal tie. Reference was made to the attitude of the 
Socialists towards the family. 
May 28th.—Mrs. Browett read an exposition of Chapter 
III., “ Primitive Relations of the Sexes,” which was followed 
by a discussion. 
June 11th.—Mr. W. R. Hughes, F.L.S., President, read 
an exposition of Chapters IV. and V., “Exogamy and 
Endogamy ” and “ Promiscuity.” 
June 26th.—Mr. P. H. Levi read a paper on Chapters 
VI., VII., and VIII.—“ Polyandry,” “ Polygamy,” and 
“Monogamy.” These chapters cover the whole evolution 
of the marriage contract up to its present condition. Mr. 
Levi concluded his interesting and important paper in the 
following manner :—“The ultimate object of marriage is to 
secure a family. This is proved by the frequently expressed 
desire of the childless to have children, and by the frequent 
adoption by the childless of the children of others.” 
Having studied the evolutions of the past, we are better 
fitted to consider the tendencies of the present with respect 
to their natural sequence in the future. 
Bearing in mind the many lives sacrificed yearly through 
the ignorance of parents, the thousands of children who grow 
up physically and mentally stunted through the same cause, 
we believe the sequence of our present rate of progress should 
be—women prepared for the rearing of a family by a thorough 
knowledge of physiology—men with a like knowledge. Both 
having studied the philosophy underlying the formation of a 
family, altruism should be their guide ; mutual respect and 
confidence their motto. Both should so understand the 
rearing of offspring that, instead of expecting gratitude, in 
which expectation they would probably be disappointed, they 
should lay a foundation, resulting in love, respect, and 
admiration. 
So long as the sequel to marriage is a mutual want of 
courtesy; so long as the family is reared to look upon small 
deceits as venial—so long will it be impossible to rear a race 
in which altruistic principles duly balance egoistic claims. 
The chapters we have been studying give evidences of the 
great evolution of the marriage contract—an evolution which 
