Koradgee.

The Koradgee performs a prominent part in this, and has to certify as to the young man's competency. Europeans are allowed to see certain parts only of these ceremonies, and no satisfactory explanation can be obtained of the remainder. No two blacks will give the same account; they give the most evasive replies, or refuse at once to describe anything. I have often thought that this mystery is really all sham, and that their silence in these matters is because they have nothing whatever to explain. The same reserve exists amongst the tribes in all parts of the country. Possibly there may be some Masonic understanding amongst them.

The Koradgee is an important personage—a sort of medicine man. He appears to share the authority exercised over the tribe with the very old men, who are always looked up to with awe, if not with veneration. He acts as a sort of referee or umpire in cases of dispute. He professes to cure all diseases and to possess great influence over the "devil-devil." The possession of a rock-crystal, which he carries about with him, in some mysterious manner acts as a charm and enables him to perform miracles. This crystal is considered sacred—no woman must look upon it. It is usually carried in his armpit, rolled up in dirty rags. I ascertained that the stopper of a decanter had similar power. The author of the paper on "The Mythology of the Aborigines" stated that in his presence the Koradgee Andy ejected from his mouth a crystal which he had concealed in his stomach, and had the power of swallowing and bringing up again at his pleasure. A similar process is mentioned in the prize essay also referred to as being in practice by the blacks of the Hunter River districts. I have remarked that these men are usually more intelligent than the others—at least they associate more readily with the white people. They are held in great respect by the younger members of the tribe. Frequently, after questioning and receiving replies on many subjects from these blacks, I have been requested not to tell the Koradgee what I had heard, or from whom I had received my information. This led me to suppose that the information was genuine.

The names of children often partake of an abbreviation of that of the parent, unless something occurs immediately at their birth of sufficient importance to record by adopting it as a name. The sight of a bird, insect, or animal supplies a name during minority.