It is more than a quarter of a century since the author had his attention first drawn to the practice. The evolution of the idea of its possible identity with the Primal Law has led to a continued and close observation; he is thus able to certify as to its rapid disappearance. Brother and sister avoidance was at that time, thirty years ago, quite universal in New Caledonia; now in many places it is unknown, even as a tradition, among the younger aborigines. In view of the probability of a similar oblivion among other peoples, the immediate collection of evidence is urgent, and further delay seems dangerous and even culpable.
Thus, however much to the present advantage of the theory as regards the custom it would have been to cull larger proofs from that vast field of literature only to be procured in older lands, it has seemed desirable to make this thesis public without further delay. As we have said, if the theory is correct, wider students will bring forward cogent facts in further proof from existing knowledge, whilst continued research should afford evidence so complete of the widespread existence of the custom in the present and past of the human race, as to render my speculation as to its origin less seemingly illegitimate.[9]
[1] Mr. Atkinson's theory is based on the idea that our supposed anthropoid ancestor was eminently unsocial.—A. L.
[2] Darwin, Descent of Man, ii. 361-363 (1871).
[3] I ought to have said 'within the community, whether local or of recognised kindred, indicated by the totem name.'—A. L.
[4] This was written before the appearance of Mr. Crawley's Mystic Rose (1902).
[5] Cf. V. de Rochas, La Nouvelle-Calédonie, p. 239; Crawley, Mystic Rose, p. 217.
[6] Native Tribes of Central Australia, pp. 88, 89.—A. L..
[7] Mr. Atkinson's forecast was correct. Brother and sister avoidance is very widely diffused.—A. L.