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had seen the ornamented graves to the south of, & on the, lower Yukon. 

It was a common practice for them to throw female infants out upon the tundra to die if they were not wished by the [[strikethrough]] family [[/strikethrough]] father or mother.  It was a common thing for men to keep two wives in early times the first wife having the main say and had control of the food. 

Both took food into [[?Kash]] however without distinction.  When a young man wished a wife and saw a young girl to his taste he told his parents and if they approved then one of them went to parents of bride and if they agreed their consent was given.  The swain then took his finest clothing and going to brides house clothed her in it and then the pair then they either took up their abode with the parents on one side or other or they made a house of their own.  There appears to be none of the betrothing children at an early age by their parents which I am informed obtains on the lower Yukon.*  A childless pair frequently or as a rule adopted either a boy or girl orphan so they should have a support in their old age and also leave some one to mourn for them and make feasts for their spirits after they die.  This custom is in force at present as if the manner of choosing a wife.

The practice of planting [[strikethrough]] posts as [[/strikethrough]] stakes beside the grave bearing a wooden model of the seal spear, of various animals or of an oar or paddle - is always [[strikethrough]] observ [[\strikethrough]] observed [[strikethrough]] the au [[\strikethrough]] just before