ABSTRACT
The classificatory system of relationship has been often enough described, so that its general features are familiar. What has not so often been realized, though, is the function of such a system as a stabilizing mechanism in a society. It forms a most useful mode of grouping people, it establishes their relations to one another. Looked at from this point of view, the old contrast with systems of the descriptive type is meaningless; within a classificatory system it is perfectly possible to describe individuals by modification or qualification of terms, or by additional terms for special relatives—all of which phenomena are frequent in primitive kinship. Moreover, a so-called “ descriptive ” system is also a means of classifying persons, though its range may not be so extensive.
