Now we proceed to pass in survey the economic facts connected with family life in Australia. As we are dealing with the individual family, the first question that naturally presents itself is: How far in Australia is the individual family an economic unit? In other words, in what way is the individuality of the single family determined by the economic facts? To answer this general question we are led to examine various sets of facts. In the first place, we know that in primitive societies there is already a rudimentary division of labour, or rather a division of economic functions, within the household. It is usually called the sexual division of labour; obviously it makes the household an economic unit; for it is just the division of labour which establishes the unity of a social group from the economic point of view. We must ask, therefore: Which, respectively, are the chief functions of the husband and of the wife? Who provides the food and performs the labours of the camp? The economic unity of the family may also be constituted by other facts. It is necessary in this connection to say a few words again of individual land ownership, discussed above in connection with the mode of living; several statements must be adduced referring to the well-known features of communism and general liberality among the Australian blacks. These features throw considerable light upon native economics with reference to the constitution of the family. Let us begin by examining the evidence on the sexual division of labour. _Statements._--The question of the economic side of family life is quite correctly set forth and answered by Howitt[851]: Amongst the Kurnai, as "the pairing family is strictly established," we might expect "that the domestic life, the arrangements of the family circle, and the division of labour should conform, more or less perfectly, to that condition.... The man has to provide for his family with the assistance of his wife. His share is to hunt for their support and to fight for their protection." The woman has to build the hut, to fish, to gather fruit seeds and all vegetable food, and to weave rush bags or nets. "The supply of vegetable food procured by the woman is all devoted to her husband, her children and herself."[852] The man's contribution goes only in part to supply the wants of his own family, the rest being divided between other relatives (see below). Fishing belonged to both sexes.[853] [851] _Kam. and Kurn._, pp. 206, 207. [852] _Ibid._, p. 263. [853] _Nat. Tr._, p. 761.