dowry; and the child entered with the others into partition in the
inheritance. His share equaled the part left by the father, nothing
more. If there were no other sons than he, the children and the nearest
relatives inherited equally with him. But if the adulterer were not
punished by the husband of the woman who had the child, the latter
was not considered as his child, nor did he inherit anything. It
should be noticed that the offender was not considered dishonored
by the punishment inflicted, nor did the husband leave the woman. By
the punishment of the father the child was fittingly made legitimate.

Adopted children, of whom there are many among them, inherit the
double of what was paid for their adoption. For example, if one gold
tael was given that he might be adopted when the first father died,
the child was given [in inheritance] two taels. But if this child
should die first, his children do not inherit from the second father,
for the arrangement stops at that point.

This is the danger to which his money is exposed, as well as his being
protected as a child. On this account this manner of adoption common
among them is considered lawful.

Dowries are given by the men to the women's parents. If the latter are
living, they enjoy the use of it. At their death, provided the dowry
has not been consumed, it is divided like the rest of the estate,
equally among the children, except in case the father should care to
bestow something additional upon the daughter. If the wife, at the
time of her marriage, has neither father, mother, nor grandparents,
she enjoys her dowry--which, in such a case, belongs to no other
relative or child. It should be noticed that unmarried women can own
no property, in land or dowry, for the result of all their labors
accrues to their parents.

In the case of a divorce before the birth of children, if the wife left
the husband for the purpose of marrying another, all her dowry and
an equal additional amount fell to the husband; but if she left him,
and did not marry another, the dowry was returned. When the husband
left his wife, he lost the half of the dowry, and the other half was
returned to him. If he possessed children at the time of his divorce,
the whole dowry and the fine went to the children, and was held for
them by their grandparents or other responsible relatives.

I have also seen another practice in two villages. In one case, upon
the death of the wife who in a year's time