The Descent of Man

if we assume that a sex-producing tendency is
inherited. But as the above numbers are so extremely
scanty, I have searched for additional
evidence, but cannot decide whether what I
have found is trustworthy; nevertheless the
facts are, perhaps, worth giving. The Maories of
New Zealand have long practised infanticide;
and Mr. Fenton (95. 'Aboriginal Inhabitants of
New Zealand: Government Report,' 1859, p.
36.) states that he "has met with instances of
women who have destroyed four, six, and even
seven children, mostly females. However, the
universal testimony of those best qualified to
judge, is conclusive that this custom has for
many years been almost extinct. Probably the
year 1835 may be named as the period of its
ceasing to exist." Now amongst the New Zealanders,
as with the Todas, male births are considerably
in excess. Mr. Fenton remarks (p. 30),
"One fact is certain, although the exact period
of the commencement of this singular condition
of the disproportion of the sexes cannot be de-