arren Grounds_, p. 75.

[157] Havelock Ellis, _Man and Woman_, p. 5.

He adds with a charming frankness--

"Women were made for labour; one of them can carry or haul
as much as two men can do. They also pitch our tents, make
and mend our clothing, keep us warm at night, and, in fact,
there is no such thing as travelling any considerable
distance, or any length of time, in this country without
their assistance."[158]

[158] _A Journey from Prince of Wales's Fort to the Northern
Ocean_, p. 55.

Numerous other examples might be added which illustrate how women take
part in the destructive work of men; conversely we find not a few
cases of the co-operation of men in the women's activities. The world
over, women are usually the weavers and spinners; but with the Navajo
and in some of the Pueblos the men are among the best weavers.[159]
Among the Indians of Guiana the men are specially skilful in
basket-weaving, and here also they as well as the women spin and
weave.[160] More curious is the custom in East Africa where all the
sewing for their own and the women's garments is done by the men, and
very well done. Sewing is here so entirely recognised as men's work
that a wife may obtain a divorce if she "can show a neglected rend in
her petticoat."[161]

[159] Mason, _op. cit._, p. 10.

[160] Im Thurn, _Among the Indians of British Guiana_.

[161] Macdonald, _Journal Anthropological Institute_, Aug.
1892.

It is a common mistake, arising from insufficient knowledge, to
suppose that savage women are specially subject to oppression. Their
life is hard as we look at it, but not as they look at it. We have
still much to learn on these matters. An even greater error is the
view that these women are a source of weakness to the male members of
their families. The very reverse is the truth. Primitive women are
strong in body and capable in work. Fison and Howitt, in discussing
this question, state of the Australian women, "In times of peace, they
are the hardest workers and the most useful members of the community."
And in times of war, "they are perfectly capable of taking care of
themselves at all times, and so far from being an encumbrance on the
warriors, they will fight, if need be, as bravely as the men, and with
even greater ferocity."[162] This is no exceptional case. The strength
of savage women is proved by reports from widely different races, of
which all