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the institution of marriage—notwithstanding the considerable proportion of failures and tragedies that are strewn in the wake of matrimony.

The fact that the monogamic marriage is the prevalent form of mating among most of the human race, regardless of great differences in traditions, racial culture, religion and social customs, is further suggestive of the deep human impulse behind it. Of course, I am fully aware of the legal character of polygamy in certain parts of the world, both at the present time and in the past, and also of the extra-legal form of polygamy (prostitution and promiscuity) that has been practiced more or less by all races at all times.

From the standpoint of modern psychology, however, we get a light on the matter somewhat at variance with the conception of the older sociologists who attributed it exclusively to the promiscuous tendencies of the male. Making due allowance for the sexual aggressiveness of the male, promiscuous sexual practices are seen by the sex psychologist to rest, in no small measure, upon an unadjusted or neurotic sexual basis, which in married life may be further complicated by unsatisfactory conjugal relations.

In other words, the sex life of the individual is disorganized, chaotic, and unable to realize its goal of satisfaction in the state of monogamy to which it is committed. The resultant sense of incompleteness acts as a prod or incentive to promiscuous endeavors. That these adventures are rarely more successful in bringing the satisfaction sought is another story—but suffice to lend confirmation to the theory of the neurotic character of the sexual varietist.

Another very important factor in contributing to the promiscuity of the male has been the traditional chasm that has separated the sexes. Throughout history, we find the woman for the most part subservient economically, politically,