among bees and ants is always female, and publicans also
descend on the distaff side. You will have noticed that
every publican has three daughters of extraordinary
charms. Lacking these signs we would do well to look
askance at such a man's liquor, divining that in his brew
there will be an undue percentage of water, for if his pri-
mogeniture is infected how shall his honesty escape?"

"It would take a wise head to answer that," said
Meehawl.

"It would not," said the Philosopher. "Throughout
nature the female tends to polygamy."

"If," said Meehawl, "that unfortunate daughter of
mine is lying dead in a ditch--"

"It doesn't matter," said the Philosopher. "Many
races have endeavoured to place some limits to this in-
crease in females. Certain Oriental peoples have con-
ferred the titles of divinity on crocodiles, serpents, and
tigers of the jungle, and have fed these with their sur-
plusage of daughters. In China, likewise, such sacrifices
are defended as honourable and economic practices. But,
broadly speaking, if daughters have to be curtailed I pre-
fer your method of losing them rather than the religio-
hysterical compromises of the Orient."

"I give you my word, sir," said Meehawl, "that I
don't know what you are talking about at all."