Necklaces.

By way of outward adornment, the women make very pretty necklaces of reed beads. A small kind of reed grows plentifully in many swamps. These are cut into lengths of from 3 to 4 inches, and, being hollow, are easily threaded with fine twine. These lengths are then cut into small beads, by placing the reed on the hard, thick skin of the heel of the foot, and by giving it a turn under the edge of a thin knife. The reed is then easily broken into small beads. Teeth, either of sheep, kangaroo, or human, are often worn by the women as necklets, or around the head amongst the hair. Occasionally a bangle of opossum-skin is worn round the arm or below the knees; but their decorations, besides pipeclay or red ochre, are of a very innocent description.

The men often smear themselves over with opossum fat, and then rub their bodies and face with charcoal or red ochre. They say this serves to keep away the mosquitoes, as well as being ornamental. As a protection against mosquitoes they carry wisps of long grass, which they keep in perpetual motion.