THE SEX WORSHIP AND
SYMBOLISM OF PRIMITIVE
RACES

AN INTERPRETATION

BY

SANGER BROWN II., M. D.

Assistant Physician, Bloomingdale Hospital

With an Introduction by James H. Leuba

BOSTON: RICHARD G. BADGER

TORONTO: THE COPP CLARK CO., LIMITED

Copyright 1916, by Richard G. Badger
All rights reserved

The Gorham Press, Boston, U. S. A.

DEDICATED TO MY WIFE

Helen Williston Brown

[Pg 5]

PREFACE

The greater part of the first three chapters of this book appeared inthe Journal of Abnormal Psychology in the December-January number of1915-16 and the February-March number of 1916. This material isreprinted here by the kind permission of the Editor of that Journal.This part of the subject is chiefly historical and the data here givenis accessible as indicated by the references throughout the text,although many of these books are difficult to secure or are out ofprint. For this historical material I am particularly indebted to thewritings of Hargrave Jennings, Richard Payne Knight and Doctor ThomasInman. Most of the reference matter coming under the general heading ofNature Worship was obtained from comparatively recent sources, such asthe publications of the Bureau of American Ethnology, of the SmithsonianInstitute, and certain publications of the American Museum of NaturalHistory. Frazer’s Golden Bough and[Pg 6] other writings of J. G. Frazer onAnthropology furnished much valuable information. The writings ofspecial investigators, among others those of Spencer, and A. W. Howitt,on Primitive Australian Tribes, and W. H. R. Rivers on the Todas havebeen freely drawn upon. A number of other books and references have beenmade use of, as indicated throughout the text. I have found two books byMiss J. Harrison, i. e., Themis and Ancient Art and Ritual, ofgreat value in interpreting primitive ceremonies and primitive customs in general.

My main object has been to give the life history of a primitive motivein the development of the race, and to emphasize the dynamicsignificance of this motive. Later other motives may be dealt with inmore detail if it is proved that both in normal and abnormal psychologywe may best understand the mental development of the individual throughour knowledge of the development of the race.

I wish to take this opportunity to express my appreciation of theassistance rendered me by my wife.

CONTENTS