The Descent of Man

etc., tom. ii. pp. 94, 116) enters in detail on the
motives. See also M'Lennan (ibid. p. 139) for
cases in India. In the former reprints of the 2nd
edition of this book an incorrect quotation from
Sir G. Grey was unfortunately given in the
above passage and has now been removed
from the text.) prevails the struggle for existence
will be in so far less severe, and all the members
of the tribe will have an almost equally
good chance of rearing their few surviving
children. In most cases a larger number of female
than of male infants are destroyed, for it is
obvious that the latter are of more value to the
tribe, as they will, when grown up, aid in defending
it, and can support themselves. But the
trouble experienced by the women in rearing
children, their consequent loss of beauty, the
higher estimation set on them when few, and
their happier fate, are assigned by the women
themselves, and by various observers, as additional
motives for infanticide.