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Some defects and difficulties may be noted in the execution of

the communistic plan. Nothing is told us of the application of

communism to the lower classes; nor is the table of prohibited

degrees capable of being made out. It is quite possible that a

child born at one hymeneal festival may marry one of its own

brothers or sisters, or even one of its parents, at another.

Plato is afraid of incestuous unions, but at the same time he

does not wish to bring before us the fact that the city would be

divided into families of those born seven and nine months after

each hymeneal festival. If it were worth while to argue seriously

about such fancies, we might remark that while all the old

affinities are abolished, the newly prohibited affinity rests not

on any natural or rational principle, but only upon the accident

of children having been born in the same month and year. Nor does

he explain how the lots could be so manipulated by the

legislature as to bring together the fairest and best.