A man catches seven river eels; they are divided thus (it is supposed that his family consists only of these named):
1st eel. Front half himself; hind half his wife.
2d eel. Front half his wife's mother; hind half his wife's sister.
3d eel. Front half his elder sons; hind half his younger sons.
4th eel. Front half his elder daughters; hind half his younger daughters.
5th eel. Front half his brother's sons; hind half his brother's daughters.
6th eel. One whole eel to his married daughter's husband.
7th eel. One whole eel to his married daughter.
This custom may be supposed to show the ordinary household group, and the order of their relative nearness to Ego. It foots up himself and wife, wife's mother and sister, his sons and daughters, his brother's sons and daughters, and his daughter's husband. It implies also other members of the household, who are obliged to take care of themselves: viz. his brothers and sisters.]