Note 442 — Chapter III · THEORY OF THE ORIGINAL PAIRING OR MONOGAMOUS FAMILY

Dorsey, "Siouan Sociology," ibid., 225. Among the Siouan Omahas, "when a man wishes to take a second wife he always consults his first wife, reasoning thus with her: 'I wish you to have less work to do, so I think of taking your sister, your aunt, or your brother's daughter for my wife. You can then have her to aid you with your work.' Should the first wife refuse, the man cannot marry the other woman. Generally no objection is offered, especially if the second woman be one of the kindred of the first wife. Sometimes the first wife will make the proposition to her husband.... The first wife is never deposed."—Idem, "Omaha Sociology," III. Rep. of Bureau of Eth., 261.