mother-descent in the early
history of England, Scotland, and Ireland--The freedom enjoyed
by women--Survival of mother-right customs among the ancient
Hebrews.

II.--_The Matriarchal Family in America_

Traces of mother-descent frequent in the American
continent--Mother-rule still in force in some
districts--Morgan's description of the system among the
Iroquois--The customs of Iroquois tribes--Communal
dwellings--The authority of the women--The creeping in of
changes leading to father-right--The system of government among
the Wyandots--Further examples of the sexual relationships--The
interesting customs of the Seri tribe--The probation of the
bridegroom--His service to the bride's family--Stringent
character of the conditions imposed--The freedom granted to the
bride--A decisive example of the position of power held by
women--The Pueblos--The customs of these tribes--Monogamic
marriage--The happy family relationship--This the result of the
supremacy of the wife in the home--Conclusions to be drawn from
these examples of mother-rights among the Aboriginal tribes of
America--Women the dominant force in this stage of
civilisation--Why this early power of women has been denied--A
meeting with a native Iroquois--He testifies to the high status
and power of the Indian women.

III.--_Further Examples of the Matriarchal Family in Australia, India
and other Countries_

The question of the position of women during the mother-age a
disputed one--Bachofen's opinion--An early period of
gynaeocracy--This view not accepted--Need for unprejudiced
opinion--Women the first owners of property--Their power
dependent on this--Further examples of mother-right
customs--The maternal family in Australia--Communal
marriage--Mother-right in India--The influence of
Brahmanism--Traces of the maternal family--Some interesting
marriage customs--Polyandry--Examples of its practice--Great
polyandrous centres--The freedom enjoyed by women--The causes
of polyandry--Matriarchal polyandry--The interesting custom of
the Nayars--The Malays of Sumatra--The _ambel-anak_
marriage--Letter from a private correspondent--It proves the
high status of women under the early customs of
mother-descent--Traces of the maternal family among the
A