ABSTRACT
The dismay that is created in the minds of most primitives at the appearance of unusual occurrences, or when their attention is arrested by strange doings on the part of animals in short, what many of them call "transgressions" is not, as we have already seen, really mental in character. The dividing-line between the two kinds of incest is never very clearly defined; it remains uncertain and fluctuating. Doubtful cases present themselves, and it is according to the traditions and customs of the place, and the personal influence that may be brought to bear, that these border-line cases are placed in the one class or in the other. Intermarriage in either class is absolutely forbidden. Any such marriage would be considered incestuous, and would bring speedy punishment; in fact, the whole population would be horrified at such an event, and the parties would almost certainly be killed.
