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LETTER II.

mention of the wife's sister, unless it be in verse 18, the interpretation of which has been so much disputed.

As to relations in the third degree, viz. great-grandparent, and uncle and aunt, and the common cases of great-grandchild, nephew and niece, I have observed that great-grandparent and great-grandchild, probably from physical unlikelihood, are not dealt with. The marriage of a nephew with his paternal or maternal aunt is prohibited in vv. 12 and 13, and is extended to an uncle's wife by verse 14. There is no mention of the converse case of the uncle and niece, whether by consanguinity or affinity.

The result of the examination is this:—We find in the first degree express prohibition of every possible case between those related in that degree, either by consanguinity or by affinity, except the case of father and daughter, which is very indirectly met by verse 17. We find in the second degree, an express prohibition of union with a granddaughter, either by consanguinity or by affinity; but no express prohibition of the converse case of union with a grandmother.

We find express prohibition of union between brother and sister of the whole or half blood, with a repetition as to a father's wife's daughter begotten by the father (in verse 11). We find an express prohibition of marriage with a brother's wife, but no express prohibition of union with a wife's sister, unless verse 18 be interpreted as a