[586] Among the Siouan peoples "the mother-in-law never speaks to her son-in-law, unless on his return from war he bring her the scalp and gun of a slain foe, in which event she is at liberty from that moment to converse with him."--DORSEY, "Siouan Sociology," _XV. Rep. of Bureau of Eth._, 241, 242. Read especially DORSEY'S very interesting account of this custom in his "Omaha Sociology," _ibid._, III, 262, 263; and compare BECKWITH, "Customs of the Dakotahs," _Rep. Smith. Inst._, 1886, Part I, 256, 257; and LONG, _Expedition_, I, 253, 254. It exists likewise in Australia: MATHEW, "Aust. Aborigines," _Jour. R. S. N. S. Wales_, 408, 409; DAWSON, _Aust. Aborigines_, 29; among the Kafirs and Bushmans: FRITSCH, _Die Eingeborenen Süd-Afrikas_, 114, 445; in China: SMITH, _Village Life in China_, chap. xxiii; in general, HELLWALD, _Die mensch. Familie_, 289, 290; LIPPERT, _Kulturgeschichte_, II, 93; and CRAWLEY, _Mystic Rose_, 391-414, _passim_. [587] MCGEE, "Siouan Indians," _XV. Rep. of Bureau of Eth._, 202; and especially his "Seri Indians," _ibid._, XVII, Part I, 279-87; _cf._ RATZEL, _Hist. of Mankind_, II, 125, who says the marriage ceremonies often mean ability to support a family. The Point Barrow Eskimo takes his wife for "reasons of interest." He wants her for household duties; and conversely she desires a good hunter. The mother usually chooses for her son the prospective bride, who is expected to serve a probation as "kivgak" (servant) in the future mother-in-law's kitchen; but sometimes the man goes to the woman's house to become a member: MURDOCH, _IX. Rep. of Bureau of Eth._, 401. [588] BANCROFT, _Native Races_, I, 134. [589] So in New Guinea: KOHLER, in _ZVR._, VII, 371. In some cases the "man goes over to the woman's family or tribe to live there forever; but Dr. Starcke suggests that this custom has a different origin from the other, being an expression of the strong clan sentiment, and not a question of gain."--WESTERMARCK, _Human Marriage_, 391; STARCKE, _Primitive Family_, 39. For McLennan's view of so-called "Beena" marriage, see above, p. 16.