The Descent of Man

turvolker,' 1868; but I shall have to recur to the
subject of infanticide in a future chapter.), and
has met with no reproach; but infanticide, especially
of females, has been thought to be good
for the tribe, or at least not injurious. Suicide
during former times was not generally considered
as a crime (33. See the very interesting discussion
on suicide in Lecky's 'History of European
Morals,' vol. i. 1869, p. 223. With respect
to savages, Mr. Winwood Reade informs me
that the negroes of West Africa often commit
suicide. It is well known how common it was
amongst the miserable aborigines of South
America after the Spanish conquest. For New
Zealand, see the voyage of the "Novara," and
for the Aleutian Islands, Muller, as quoted by
Houzeau, 'Les Facultes Mentales,' etc., tom. ii.
p. 136.), but rather, from the courage displayed,
as an honourable act; and it is still practised by
some semi- civilised and savage nations without
reproach, for it does not obviously concern
others of the tribe. It has been recorded