{189} Among several uncivilised peoples capital punishment is said to be unknown or almost so.[152] Among others it is restricted to a few particularly atrocious offences. Among the Greenlanders "none are put to death but murderers, and such witches as are thought to have killed some one by their art."[153] The Aleuts punished with death murderers and betrayers of community secrets.[154] In Samoa and New Guinea murder and adultery are punished capitally;[155] among the Bataks, open robbery and murder, provided that the offender is unable to redeem his life by a sum of money;[156] among the Kukis, only treason or an attempt at violence on the person of the King.[157] Among the Mishmis, adultery committed against the consent of the husband is punished with death, but all other crimes, including murder, are punished by fines; however if the amount is not forthcoming the offender is cut up by the company assembled.[158] In Kar Nicobar the only cause for a "death penalty" that Mr. Distant could discover was madness.[159] Among the Soolimas "murder is the only crime punishable with death."[160] Among the Congo natives "the only capital crimes are stated to be those of poisoning and adultery."[161] Of the kingdom of Fida Bosman writes, "Here are very few capital crimes, which are only murthers, and committing adultery with the King's or his great men's wives."[162] Among the Wanika two crimes are visited with capital punishment--murder and an improper use of sorcery;[163] among the Wagogo[164] and Washambala,[165] witchcraft only. Among the Basutos every murderer is by law liable to death, but the sentence is generally commuted into confiscation; an incorrigible thief sometimes pays with his head, but is generally fined, whereas treason and rebellion against authority are treated with more severity.[166] Among the Kafirs, cases of assault on the persons of wives of the chiefs, {190} and what are deemed aggravated cases of witchcraft, are the only crimes which usually involve the punishment of death, very summarily inflicted; whereas this punishment seldom follows even murder, when committed without the supposed aid of supernatural powers.[167] [Footnote 152: von Siebold, _Ethnol. Studien über die Aino auf Yesso_, p. 35; Batchelor, _Ainu and their Folk-Lore_, p. 284. Dalton, _op. cit._ p. 115 (Kakhyens). Marsden, _op. cit._ p. 248 (Rejangs of Sumatra). Riedel, _De sluik- en kroesharige rassen tusschen Selebes en Papua_, p. 103 (Serangese). Worcester, _op. cit._ pp. 413, 492 (Mangyans and Tagbanuas). Kubary, 'Die Palau-Inseln,' in _Journal des Museum Godeffroy_, iv. 42 (Pelew Islanders). de Abreu, _op. cit._ p. 152 (Canary Islanders). Frisch, _Die Eingeborenen Süd-Afrika's_, p. 322 (Hottentots).] [Footnote 153: Cranz, _op. cit._ i. 177.] [Footnote 154: Petroff, _loc. cit._ p. 152.] [Footnote 155: Turner, _Samoa_, p. 178. Chalmers, _Pioneering in New Guinea_, p. 179.] [Footnote 156: Marsden, _op. cit._ p. 389.]