POLYGAMY. 85 (whether girl or boy) is called ‘“zingoma,” the other “ kato.” The placenta of living twins is placed in a large earthen vessel in a miniature hut, hastily erected in the yard, where it remains during four days, and is then carried in procession to another large hut built in high grass, and there left. But should the twins die, they, together with their placenta, are left in an earthen vessel in the hut of the mother until decomposition sets in, In this case also the miniature hut is erected in the yard, near which a man watches to scare away the hyenas, and then the exposure follows as before. During this time, a perfectly arbitrary period, the inhabitants of the house may not shave themselves, and they keep aloof from every one as a sign of mourning. When at last the exposure is over, the men and women cut their hair and lay aside for a time all ornaments (rings, d&c.), and, finally, the house in which the birth took place is burned, expiation thus being made.

Among the causes which reduce the population of this country, unlimited polygamy is one of the most important. It would be absolutely improper for even a small chief to have less than ten or fifteen wives; poor people have three or four each. Now, as the chief in question has only four or five favourites, whom he always chooses from among the youngest, perhaps exchanging them for still younger ones when they have lived with him a few months, a large number of women are left fallow who would otherwise be capable of production. To this cause must be added far too early marriages. ‘The fecundity of the women is confined to the years between twelve and twenty-five. Unydro women are not very fruitful, whereas the Wagdnda and Wakidi (Lango) are often blessed with ten to twelve children, I have never seen women above twenty-five with babies.

If a man in Unyoro wishes to marry, he has to buy his wife. Four oxen or cows (three for less handsome girls) constitute the usual price, of which two, if the wife bears a child, are paid to her father, while the other must be kept ready for further disposal ; that is, should the husband leave his wife, or be left by her, the two animals become his property. A divorced wife can marry again immediately, but her value in cattle is, of course, smaller. Children belong to, and remain with, the father.