J. Moore Davis[245] speaks in a Latin passage of the licence at corroborees and of the rights of access enjoyed by old men at the initiation of the girls. The statement is not localized. [245] Brough Smyth, ii. p. 319. This statement (and the whole article) does not refer to any single tribe; there are mentioned tribes from all over the continent. Among the Narrinyeri, youths during initiation are allowed unrestricted sexual licence.[246] [246] Taplin, _loc. cit._, p. 18. In the Turra tribe: "Women were bound to be faithful to their husbands, also the husbands to their wives. Whoever was guilty of unfaithfulness was liable to be punished by death at the hands of the class of the offender."[247] This statement is very clear; but if it is equally correct it reports quite an exceptional state of things. [247] Yorke Peninsula, Kühn, _loc. cit._, p. 286. Schürmann writes about the Port Lincoln tribes: "Although the men are capable of fierce jealousy, if their wives transgress unknown to them, yet they frequently send them out to other parties, or exchange with a friend for a night; and as for near relatives, such as brothers, it may almost be said that they have their wives in common."[248] But does this community of wives refer merely to sexual matters? It is probably so, as the author mentions it in connection with the general description of this side of aboriginal life. [248] _Loc. cit._, pp. 222, 223. C. Wilhelmi writes about the same tribes: "Although the men are apt to become passionately jealous if they detect their wives transgressing without their consent, yet of their own accord they offer them and send them to other men, or make an exchange for a night with some one of their friends. Of relatives, brothers in particular, it may be said that they possess their wives jointly."[249] This statement and the foregoing can hardly be looked upon as independent; for Wilhelmi knew the missionary Schürmann personally, and had from him a good deal of his information; the two statements are almost literally identical. [249] Ch. Wilhelmi, p. 180. Amongst the Yerkla Mining tribes: "A wife is bound to be faithful to her husband." She is severely punished; if successively guilty, killed.[250] Women are lent, but very seldom.[251] [250] Howitt, _Nat. Tr._, p. 258. [251] _Ibid._ A. L. P. Cameron reports some cases of sexual licence among the Darling River tribes. They used to exchange wives "either at some grand assembly of the tribe, or in order to avert some threatened calamity." But the author adds, "This custom is, I think, rare at present."[252] At any rate, we may bracket this statement with that of Howitt, who also speaks of wife exchange, in order to avert impending calamity. [252] _Loc. cit._, p. 353.