severe monogamy, and they
punish with death every seducer and illegitimate child, as well as the
mother. Among others, however, considerable sexual freedom is allowed
before or after marriage. It is impossible to lay down definite rules,
but one thing may be regarded as universal, viz., that the sexual
depravity of savage races most often arises from the influence of
civilized people who immigrate among them and systematically introduce
immorality and debauchery. It is the white colonists who appropriate
the women of savage races and train them in the worst forms of
prostitution. It is the white colonists who introduce alcoholic drink
which disorganizes the most virtuous and loyal habits, and ends with
ruin.

Certain Arab clans exploit European habits of prostitution by sending
their young girls to brothels for purposes of gain. When they have
accumulated a sufficient fortune they return home and marry one of
their fellow countrymen. Similar customs are observed among other
races.

In this connection Westermark points out that the more advanced is
civilization, the greater is the number of illegitimate births, and
the more widespread is prostitution. In Europe, the proportion of
natural children and of prostitutes is nearly double in the towns what
it is in the country. This shows the absurdity of regarding
promiscuity as a primitive state; on the contrary, it is a rotten
fruit of civilization, and especially of semi-civilization. Primitive
customs are generally chaste, and it is civilization which corrupts
them. In Europe, prostitution is increasing, while marriage is
becoming less frequent; it is the latter which constitutes the
primitive and normal state.

Westermark admits, as we have mentioned above, that sexual liberty
before or after marriage exists among certain tribes; but in spite of
this the custom of careful choice always exists among these people,
and this renders their unions comparatively lasting. He cites as an
example the Tounghtas of India, who practice sexual connection before
marriage, but among whom these connections nearly always lead to
marriage; this race considers prostitution as dishonorable.

We must, however, make one objection to Westermark. Promiscuity in
itself is not necessarily prostitution, for the latter signifies
especially the sale of the body, which is not the case in promiscuity.
The fundamental fact which prevents us admitting the existence of
primitive promiscuity among sa