Abraham, in all probability, instituted the rite of circumcision in remembrance of the Chaldean genital worship.[V] This sexual fetichism was eminently religious in character from its very inception among the ancient Hebrews; yet Westermarck, in his _History of Human Marriage_, considers this custom as being of ornamental origin.[63] Now, it is known beyond question of doubt that the Hebrews and Abyssinians, who practiced this rite, covered their nakedness, hence, it is folly to suppose that they ornamented a portion of their bodies which always remained carefully hidden. Moreover, since it has been in use from very ancient times "among most of the tribes inhabiting the African West Coast, among all the Mohammedan peoples, among the Kaffirs, among nearly all the peoples of Eastern Africa, among the Christian Abyssinians, Bogos, and Copts, throughout all the various tribes inhabiting Madagascar, and, in the heart of the Black Continent, among the Monbuttu and Akka; and since it is practiced very commonly in Australia, in many islands of Melanesia, in Polynesia, universally, in some parts of America, in Yucatan, on the Orinoco, and among certain tribes in Rio Branco in Brazil;"[64] and since most of these people wholly or partially hide their nakedness, it cannot, necessarily, have had its origin in the desire for ornamentation. Again, since the rite of circumcision among these peoples always takes place at puberty, when _vita sexualis_ begins, and is always accompanied by other rites and ceremonies of deeply religious significance, it must be a religious observance and phallic in its nature. Girls, also, at puberty, among many tribes of Africa, among certain races of the Malayan Archipelago and South America have an operation performed upon them. "_Sunt autem gentes, quarum contrarius mos est, ut clitoris et labia minora non exsecentur, verum extendantur, et saepe longissime extendantur_."[65] Surely such a peculiar and uncalled-for performance has a deeper significance than mere ornamentation, and does not warrant the expression "_atque ista etiam deformatio insigne pulchritudinis existimatur_." [V] Abraham was a Chaldean, and, in instituting circumcision, was undoubtedly influenced by the religious beliefs of his people. Circumcision, however, was, with him, a new and special phallic rite, and one not in vogue among the Chaldeans. _Vid._ Genesis, 18:10. [63] Westermarck: _History of Human Marriage_, p. 202 _et seq._ [64] Westermarck: _History of Human Marriage_, p. 201 _et seq._ See, also, Wallace: _Travels on the Amazon_, p. 117 _et seq._ [65] Westermarck: _op. cit. ante._, p. 106.