The Descent of Man

mer prevalence of polyandry.) Whenever two
or more men are compelled to marry one woman,
it is certain that all the women of the tribe
will get married, and there will be no selection
by the men of the more attractive women. But
under these circumstances the women no doubt
will have the power of choice, and will prefer
the more attractive men. Azara, for instance,
describes how carefully a Guana woman bargains
for all sorts of privileges, before accepting
some one or more husbands; and the men in
consequence take unusual care of their personal
appearance. So amongst the Todas of India,
who practise polyandry, the girls can accept or
refuse any man. (15. Azara, 'Voyages,' etc., tom.
ii. pp. 92-95; Colonel Marshall, 'Amongst the
Todas,' p. 212.) A very ugly man in these cases
would perhaps altogether fail in getting a wife,
or get one later in life; but the handsomer men,
although more successful in obtaining wives,
would not, as far as we can see, leave more