In entering upon this investigation a few facts with regard to the various manifestations of modesty may be helpful to us.  I have selected these from scattered original sources, and have sought to bring out the variety and complexity of the problems with which we are here concerned.

The New Georgians of the Solomon Islands, so low a race that they are ignorant both of pottery and weaving, and wear only a loin cloth, “have the same ideas of what is decent with regard to certain acts and exposures that we ourselves have;” so that it is difficult to observe whether they practice circumcision.  (Somerville, Journal of the Anthropological Institute, 1897, p. 394.)

In the New Hebrides “the closest secrecy is adopted with regard to the penis, not at all from a sense of decency, but to avoid Narak, the sight even of that of another man being considered most dangerous.  The natives of this savage island, accordingly, wrap the penis around with many yards of calico, and other like materials, winding and folding them until a preposterous bundle 18 inches, or 2 feet long, and 2 inches or more in diameter is formed, which is then supported upward by means of a belt, in the extremity decorated with flowering grasses, etc.  The testicles are left naked.”  There is no other body covering. (Somerville, Journal of the Anthropological Institute, 1894, p. 368.)

In the Pelew Islands, says Kubary, as quoted by Bastian, it is said that when the God Irakaderugel and his wife were creating man and woman (he forming man and she forming woman), and were at work on the sexual organs, the god wished to see his consort’s handiwork.  She, however, was cross, and persisted in concealing what she had made.  Ever since then women wear an apron of pandanus-leaves and men go naked. (A.  Bastian, Inselgruppen in Oceanien, p. 112.)

In the Pelew Islands, Semper tells us that when approaching a large water-hole he was surprised to hear an affrighted, long-drawn cry from his native friends.  “A girl’s voice answered out of the bushes, and my people held us back, for there were women bathing there who would not allow us to pass.  When I remarked that they were only women, of whom they need not be afraid, they replied that it was not so, that women had an unbounded right to punish men who passed them when bathing without their permission, and could inflict fines or even death.  On this account, the women’s bathing place is a safe and favorite spot for a secret rendezvous.  Fortunately a lady’s toilet lasts but a short time in this island.” (Carl Semper, Die Palau-Inseln, 1873, p. 68.)

Among the Western Tribes of Torres Strait, Haddon states, “the men were formerly nude, and the women wore only a leaf petticoat, but I gather that they were a decent people; now both sexes are prudish.  A man would never go nude before