156 
15. Do any persons object to eating with, touching, speak¬ 
ing to, looking at, or calling by name, other persons ? 16. Do 
these prohibitions apply to persons of different ranks, occu¬ 
pation, or caste ? 17. Are they between relations, as between 
parents-in-law and their children-in-law ? 18. If so, what 
appears to be the motive ? is the one holier than the other ? 
is there an idea of magical harm, or is it a mere question of 
social separation. 
19. Are the names of chiefs, of dead persons, &c., avoided 
in conversation, and even excluded from the language ? and 
if so, why ? 20. Are any special words or subjects considered 
improper or indecent ? 
21. Are any places or objects sacred or taboo ? 21 a. Are 
any paths taboo to women, but not to men ? 22. Is this 
with a religious idea, as in case of temples, idols, sacred pipe, 
&c. ? 23. If so, who may enter or touch with impunity ? 
24. Is there a special prohibition to women and children? 
25. Does the touch of any person defile or sanctify an object, 
so that its owner may not touch it ? 26. Is a place or object 
made taboo with the idea of keeping it safe ? and is it con¬ 
sidered that magical evil will befall the unlicensed toucher ? 
or is the place or object made sacred to the gods, who will 
punish violation ? 
27. In general, whose authority is appealed to as to such 
prohibitions ? and is their infraction punished by divine or 
magical vengeance, by law, or by public disapproval ? 
E. B. T. 
No. XXXVIII.—CIRCUMCISION. 
The practice of circumcision prevails, or has prevailed, in 
parts of Asia, Africa, and America, being confined chiefly to 
the equatorial and southern regions of the globe. It is un¬ 
doubtedly of great antiquity, and was described as an ancient 
custom even in the time of Herodotus. So peculiar and pain¬ 
ful a custom appears less likely to have arisen independently 
