I.

My object in compiling these notes on the "Aborigines of Australia" is for the purpose of placing on record such of their manners and customs as have from time to time come under my personal observation. They include, amongst other things, a detailed account of their mode of constructing and using their implements of war and of chase.

The subject of their origin, as to whether they are descended from Shem, Ham, or Japhet, has been so ably discussed in the paper which obtained the premium of £25 presented by the Royal Society, Sydney, that I shall not touch upon that matter here.

My acquaintance with these natives commenced more than forty years ago, at a time when they were comparatively numerous. Since then I have had many opportunities of noticing their habits in this as well as in the neighbouring Colonies.

The habits and general appearance of the aborigines who occupy the whole of this vast country differ very little from each other, and this difference may be attributed to the nature and position of the particular tract of country they occupy. Thus, it may be readily supposed that the inhabitants of the coast districts, which consist principally of high, precipitous, heavily timbered ranges intersected by deep ravines, and which include extensive salt-water rivers, lakes, and inlets, abounding in all kinds of game and fish, would be afforded greater opportunities for the exhibition of their skill and ingenuity in obtaining supplies than their brethren who occupy the vast level, arid, and often scantily timbered country of the interior.

Though in many instances separated hundreds of miles from each other, several of the customs of these tribes are almost identical, and I therefore conclude that these aborigines sprang from one common source or tribe, and have descended through a course of many years to their present low standard.

I am inclined to believe that the original stock was much superior to the present race, for I have noticed that, low as these page 28 blacks are supposed to be in the social scale, there are instances where a superior intelligence and good feeling occasionally crops out.

In their native state their wants are few. Their shelter consists of a few hastily constructed "gunyahs" or huts, and their covering of rugs or cloaks made of the skins of the opossum or native bear. Their usual state is perfectly nude. They readily accept any old clothing, any single article of which they consider as full dress. The first time I saw Queen Gooseberry, the widow of King Bungaree, she had little on beyond an old straw bonnet. Three men, who had been engaged on a farm, arrived to fulfil their contract, having one boot, an old cravat, and a waistcoat between them. This clothing, whatever it may be, is worn in turn by each one of the tribe, and soon becomes, as may be supposed, unwearable. The Government supply all those within the police districts with blankets once a year.