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kinsfolk, neighbours, strangers, and enemies ? 16. What are 
the rules of propriety P 17. Are the young reproved for being 
forward and impudent? 18. Is respectful demeanour incul¬ 
cated ? 19. What are the rules of decency ? what acts and 
exposures' are considered indecent ? 20. Is coarse conversation 
disapproved of between the sexes or with the young? 21. 
Does great license prevail among unmarried or married ? 22. 
Is drunkenness approved, tolerated, or condemned ? and how 
with reference to age and sex ? 23. Is drunkenness usual at 
public feasts ? 
24. Do any remarkable ceremonial customs prevail? 25. 
Are old-fashioned customs used on state occasions ? 26. Are 
ancient habits observed at feasts, &c., such as old dishes and 
ways of cookery ? 27. Any special forms of address, healths, &c. 
at feasts ? 28. Any remarkable customs at funerals, festivals on 
birth of children, harvest festivals, family gatherings, &c. ? 
29. Are peculiar forms of language in use ? 30. Are certain 
words used or avoided in addressing certain people ? 31. What 
forms of address are usual between common people, chiefs, 
kings ? 32. Are old-fashioned terms and expressions used cere¬ 
monially or officially ? 33. Are there ceremonies performed at 
puberty of lads and girls ? initiation of lads as warriors, &c. ? 
34. Are there other remarkable customs not otherwise classed ? 
(See also Superstitions, Religion, Magic, Taboo, &c.) 
No. XXXVII.—-TABOO. 
By E. B. TYLOR, Esq., F.R.S. 
Ceremonial prohibitions of eating certain food, touching or 
even looking at certain persons or things, mentioning certain 
names, are very frequent among mankind, and though not re¬ 
ducible to one common principle, are in various ways instruc¬ 
tive as throwing light on early and rude ideas. In taking down 
the details of these prohibitions, it is well to inquire their 
reason, as this may sometimes be the true one, or at least afford 
a clue to its discovery. 
1. Is any particular food, animal or vegetable, forbidden, 
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