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diff --git a/16145-h/16145-h.htm b/16145-h/16145-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..c6a52ec --- /dev/null +++ b/16145-h/16145-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,16295 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"> +<html> +<head> +<title>Two Expeditions of Discovery Vol 2</title> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content= +"text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> +<style type="text/css"> +<!-- +body {background: #ffffcc; margin:10%; text-align:justify} +h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 {color:green; text-align:center} +blockquote {font-size: .9em} +p.poem {text-align:center} +p.external {font-weight: bold} +--> +</style> +</head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Journals Of Two Expeditions Of Discovery In +North-West And Western Australia, Vol. 2 (of 2), by George Grey + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Journals Of Two Expeditions Of Discovery In North-West And Western Australia, Vol. 2 (of 2) + +Author: George Grey + +Release Date: June 29, 2005 [EBook #16145] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK JOURNALS OF TWO EXPEDITIONS *** + + + + +Produced by Sue Asscher and Col Choat + + + + + +</pre> + + + +<center> +<p><a name="grey2-00"></a><img alt="" src="images/grey2-00.jpg"></p> +</center> + +<hr align="center" width="25%"> +<h2>JOURNALS<br> +OF<br> +TWO EXPEDITIONS OF DISCOVERY<br> +IN<br> +NORTH-WEST AND WESTERN<br> +AUSTRALIA,<br> +DURING THE YEARS 1837, 1838, AND 1839,</h2> + +<h3>Under the Authority of Her Majesty's Government.</h3> + +<h3>DESCRIBING<br> +MANY NEWLY DISCOVERED, IMPORTANT, AND<br> +FERTILE DISTRICTS,<br> +WITH<br> +OBSERVATIONS ON THE MORAL AND PHYSICAL<br> +CONDITION OF THE ABORIGINAL INHABITANTS, ETC. ETC.</h3> + +<h2>BY GEORGE GREY, ESQUIRE.</h2> + +<h3>GOVERNOR OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA;<br> +Late Captain of the Eighty-third Regiment.</h3> + +<hr align="center" width="25%"> +<h3>IN TWO VOLUMES.</h3> + +<h2>VOLUME 2.</h2> + +<hr align="center" width="25%"> +<h3>LONDON:<br> +T. AND W. BOONE, 29 NEW BOND STREET.</h3> + +<h3>1841.</h3> + +<hr align="center" width="25%"> +<center> +<p><a name="grey2-01"></a><img alt="" src="images/grey2-01.jpg"></p> + +<p><b>1. Native of Western Australia.<br> +Captain Grey, delt. G. Foggo, Lithographer. M. and N. Hanhart, +Lithographic Printers.</b></p> +</center> + +<hr align="center" width="25%"> +<h2>CONTENTS OF VOLUME 2.</h2> + +<p><a href="#chapter1">CHAPTER 1. FROM GANTHEAUME BAY TO THE HUTT +RIVER.</a></p> + +<p>WRECK OF THE SECOND BOAT IN GANTHEAUME BAY.<br> +EXPLORE IN ITS VICINITY.<br> +ESTUARY AND SCENERY ABOUT IT.<br> +PROVISIONS DIVIDED.<br> +START FOR PERTH.<br> +GEOLOGICAL REMARKS.<br> +CROSS A DISTRICT OF RED SANDSTONE.<br> +PLAINS ABOUNDING IN THE WARRAN PLANT.<br> +SUPERIOR NATIVE PATHS AND WELLS.<br> +ESTUARY OF THE HUTT.<br> +DESCRIPTION OF THE COUNTRY AND SCENERY.<br> +PROGRESS OPPOSED BY NATIVES.<br> +THE HUTT RIVER.<br> +FIRST HILLS OF THE SOUTHERN IRONSTONE FORMATION.</p> + +<p><a href="#chapter2">CHAPTER 2. FROM THE HUTT RIVER TO WATER +PEAK.</a></p> + +<p>WILD TURKEYS SEEN.<br> +DIFFICULTY OF URGING THE PARTY FORWARD.<br> +THE BOWES RIVER.<br> +NATIVE HUTS.<br> +THE VICTORIA RANGE AND DISTRICT.<br> +THE BULLER RIVER.<br> +THE CHAPMAN RIVER.<br> +SEARCH FOR A MISSING MAN.<br> +SCENE WITH NATIVES.<br> +RETURN OF PARTY FROM SEARCH.<br> +THE MAN FOUND.<br> +THE GREENOUGH RIVER.<br> +CROSS THE HEADS OF TWO BAYS.<br> +MORE NATIVE HUTS.<br> +AUSTRALIND.<br> +THE IRWIN RIVER.<br> +SEARCH FOR WATER.<br> +WATER PEAK HILL.<br> +BENIGHTED IN RETURNING TO THE PARTY.</p> + +<p><a href="#chapter3">CHAPTER 3. FROM WATER PEAK TO GAIRDNER'S +RANGE.</a></p> + +<p>RETURN TO THE PARTY.<br> +DESTRUCTION OF USELESS BAGGAGE.<br> +CRITICAL SITUATION.<br> +DIVIDE THE PARTY, AND PROCEED WITH THE STRONGEST TO PERTH FOR +ASSISTANCE.<br> +ARRANGEMENTS AT STARTING.<br> +THE ARROWSMITH RIVER.<br> +NATIVES.<br> +MOUNT HORNER.<br> +GAIRDNER'S RANGE.<br> +GENEROUS CONDUCT OF ONE OF THE MEN.</p> + +<p><a href="#chapter4">CHAPTER 4. FROM GAIRDNER'S RANGE TO +PERTH.</a></p> + +<p>THE HILL RIVER.<br> +DISCOVERY OF A NATIVE PROVISION STORE.<br> +BARREN COUNTRY.<br> +SUFFERINGS FROM THIRST.<br> +SMITH'S RIVER.<br> +LONG AND UTTER DESTITUTION OF FOOD AND WATER.<br> +UNSUCCESSFUL SEARCH FOR WATER WITH KAIBER.<br> +HIS TREACHEROUS INTENTIONS.<br> +RETURN TO THE MEN.<br> +DISTRESSING SYMPTOMS FROM THIRST.<br> +LAST EFFORTS.<br> +FORTUNATE DISCOVERY OF A MOIST MUD-HOLE.<br> +PANGS OF HUNGER.<br> +RIVER OF RUNNING WATER.<br> +NATIVE SUPERSTITIONS.<br> +MISERY FROM RAIN AND COLD.<br> +PASS THE MOORE RIVER.<br> +JOYFUL INTERVIEW WITH A FRIENDLY TRIBE.<br> +NATIVE HOSPITALITY.<br> +SUPERSTITIONS OF MY MEN.<br> +ARRIVAL AND RECEPTION AT PERTH.</p> + +<p><a href="#chapter5">CHAPTER 5. FROM WATER PEAK TO +PERTH.</a></p> + +<p>(MR. WALKER'S PARTY.)</p> + +<p>PARTY SENT IN SEARCH FROM PERTH.<br> +RETURN WITH CHARLES WOODS.<br> +SECOND PARTY IN SEARCH, UNDER MR. ROE.<br> +ARRIVAL OF MR. WALKER AT PERTH.<br> +NARRATIVE OF THEIR PROCEEDINGS FROM WATER PEAK.<br> +EXTREME DISTRESS FROM HUNGER AND THIRST.<br> +DEATH OF MR. SMITH.<br> +TIMELY DISCOVERY OF THE REST BY MR. ROE.<br> +MR. ROE'S REPORT.</p> + +<p><a href="#chapter6">CHAPTER 6. SUMMARY OF DISCOVERIES.</a></p> + +<p>RIVERS AND MOUNTAIN RANGES DISCOVERED.<br> +DISTRICTS OF BABBAGE AND VICTORIA.<br> +MR. MOORE'S VOYAGE TO HOUTMAN'S ABROLHOS AND PORT GREY.<br> +DISTRICT TO THE NORTH OF PERTH.</p> + +<p><a href="#chapter7">CHAPTER 7. VOYAGE HOMEWARDS.</a></p> + +<p>NATURAL HISTORY.</p> + +<p><a href="#chapter8">CHAPTER 8. THE OVERLANDERS.</a></p> + +<p>CLASS OF PERSONS.<br> +THEIR MODE OF LIFE.<br> +SUDDEN ACCUMULATION OF WEALTH.<br> +EFFECTS OF THEIR ENTERPRISES.<br> +MAGNITUDE OF THEIR OPERATIONS.<br> +RAPID INCREASE OF WEALTH IN NEW SETTLEMENTS.<br> +SPREAD OF STOCK STATIONS.<br> +COURSE OF THE OVERLANDERS THROUGH AUSTRALIA.<br> +COMMUNICATION BETWEEN SOUTHERN AND WESTERN AUSTRALIA.<br> +GENERAL CONSEQUENCES OF THE SPREAD OF COMMERCE AND +EMIGRATION.</p> + +<p>THE ABORIGINES.</p> + +<p><a href="#chapter9">CHAPTER 9. NATIVE LANGUAGE.</a></p> + +<p>RADICALLY THE SAME THROUGHOUT THE CONTINENT.<br> +CAUSES OF A CONTRARY OPINION.<br> +DIFFERENCE OF DIALECTS.<br> +EXAMPLES.<br> +CAUSES OF ERROR IN FORMER ENQUIRERS.</p> + +<p><a href="#chapter10">CHAPTER 10. THEIR TRADITIONAL +LAWS.</a></p> + +<p>ERRORS OF THEORETICAL WRITERS REGARDING THE SAVAGE STATE.<br> +COMPLEX LAWS OF SAVAGE LIFE.<br> +CONSIDERATIONS ON THEIR ORIGIN.</p> + +<p><a href="#chapter11">CHAPTER 11. LAWS OF RELATIONSHIP, +MARRIAGE, AND INHERITANCE.</a></p> + +<p>RELATIONSHIP AND MARRIAGE.<br> +DIVISION OF FAMILIES.<br> +LAW OF MARRIAGE.<br> +COINCIDENT INSTITUTIONS AMONGST THE NORTH AMERICAN INDIANS.<br> +ORIGIN OF FAMILY NAMES.<br> +SECOND COINCIDENCE.<br> +BETROTHMENTS.<br> +WIDOWS.<br> +OBLIGATIONS OF RELATIONSHIP.<br> +DIFFICULTY OF PURSUING THE ENQUIRY.<br> +PROPERTY VESTED IN INDIVIDUALS.<br> +UNIVERSALITY OF THIS CUSTOM.<br> +LINE OF INHERITANCE.<br> +CERTAIN LAWS REGARDING FOOD.</p> + +<p><a href="#chapter12">CHAPTER 12. CRIMES AND +PUNISHMENTS.</a></p> + +<p>SUPERSTITIOUS REVENGE OF NATURAL DEATH.<br> +MURDER.<br> +STEALING A WIFE.<br> +BREACH OF MARRIAGE LAWS.<br> +IMPLICATION OF A MURDERER'S FAMILY IN HIS CRIME.<br> +ORDEAL AND PUNISHMENT FOR OTHER TRANSGRESSIONS.</p> + +<p><a href="#chapter13">CHAPTER 13. SOCIAL CONDITION AND DOMESTIC +HABITS.</a></p> + +<p>POPULATION.<br> +TERM OF LIFE.<br> +CONDITION OF OLD AGE.<br> +AND OF YOUNG WOMEN.<br> +AVERAGE PROPORTION OF BIRTHS.<br> +IDIOTS AND LUNATICS.<br> +INFLUENCE OF POLYGAMY ON SOCIAL HABITS.<br> +MODE OF CONVERSATIONAL INTERCOURSE.<br> +CONSEQUENCES OF JEALOUSY.<br> +DANCES.<br> +CEREMONIES ON MEETING.</p> + +<p><a href="#chapter14">CHAPTER 14. FOOD AND HUNTING.</a></p> + +<p>ERRORS REGARDING SCARCITY OF THEIR FOOD.<br> +VARIETIES OF IT IN DIFFERENT LATITUDES.<br> +CAUSES OF OCCASIONAL WANT.<br> +LIST OF EDIBLE ARTICLES.<br> +IMPLEMENTS FOR DESTROYING ANIMALS.<br> +CONTENTS OF A NATIVE WOMAN'S BAG.<br> +DIFFERENT METHODS OF CATCHING KANGAROOS.<br> +COOKING A KANGAROO.<br> +METHODS OF TAKING AND COOKING FISH.<br> +FEASTING ON A STRANDED WHALE.<br> +KILLING WILD DOGS.<br> +TURTLE.<br> +BIRDS.<br> +OPOSSUMS.<br> +FROGS.<br> +SHELLFISH.<br> +GRUBS, AND WALLABIES.<br> +EDIBLE ROOTS AND SEEDS.<br> +MODE OF COOKING AND PREPARING THEM.<br> +FUNGI.<br> +GUMS.<br> +COMMON RIGHTS IN CERTAIN FOOD.</p> + +<p><a href="#chapter15">CHAPTER 15. SONGS AND POETRY.</a></p> + +<p>GENERAL PRACTICE OF SINGING.<br> +SONG OF AN OLD MAN IN WRATH.<br> +POETS.<br> +TRADITIONAL SONGS.<br> +NATIVE OPINION OF EUROPEAN SINGING.<br> +EXAMPLES OF SONGS FOR VARIOUS OCCASIONS.<br> +INFLUENCE OF SONGS IN ROUSING THE ANGRY PASSIONS OF THE MEN.</p> + +<p><a href="#chapter16">CHAPTER 16. FUNERAL CEREMONIES, +SUPERSTITIONS, AND REMARKABLE CUSTOMS.</a></p> + +<p>DEATH AND BURIAL OF A NATIVE NEAR PERTH.<br> +BURIAL OF A NATIVE IN THE LESCHENAULT DISTRICT.<br> +CUSTOM OF LACERATING THEMSELVES, AND WATCHING AMONG THE +GRAVES.<br> +THE BOYL-YAS OR NATIVE SORCERERS.<br> +KAIBER'S ACCOUNT OF THEM.<br> +THEIR OPINION OF THE NIGHTMARE.<br> +VENERATION FOR CRYSTAL STONES.<br> +CIRCUMCISION.<br> +OTHER CUSTOMS.</p> + +<p><a href="#chapter17">CHAPTER 17. CHARACTERISTIC +ANECDOTES.</a></p> + +<p>MIAGO'S IMAGINARY SPEECH AS GOVERNOR.<br> +WARRUP'S ACCOUNT OF HIS JOURNEY WITH MR. ROE.<br> +TRANSACTIONS WITH THE NATIVES IN A CASE OF POTATO STEALING.<br> +JUDICIAL CASE OF ASSAULT.</p> + +<p><a href="#chapter18">CHAPTER 18. INFLUENCE OF EUROPEANS ON THE +NATIVES.</a></p> + +<p>CAUSES WHY IT HAS NOT HITHERTO BEEN BENEFICIAL.<br> +WRETCHED STATE OF THE NATIVE POPULATION.<br> +PREJUDICES AGAINST THEM.<br> +EVIL EFFECTS FROM THEIR FEROCIOUS CUSTOMS REMAINING +UNCHECKED.<br> +PLAN FOR PROMOTING THEIR CIVILIZATION.</p> + +<hr align="center" width="25%"> +<h2>LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.</h2> + +<p>VOLUME 2.</p> + +<p><a href="#grey2-01">1. Native of Western Australia.<br> +Captain Grey, delt. G. Foggo, Lithographer. M. and N. Hanhart, +Lithographic Printers.</a></p> + +<p><a href="#grey2-02">2. Mount Victoria and Mount +Albert.</a></p> + +<p><a href="#grey2-03">3. Glaucus, Sp.</a></p> + +<p><a href="#grey2-03a">3a. Janthina.</a></p> + +<p><a href="#grey2-04">4. Cymothoa, Sp.</a></p> + +<p><a href="#grey2-05">5. Stenopteryx, Sp.</a></p> + +<p><a href="#grey2-06">6. Form of basaltic dykes at Gregory's +Valley, St. Helena.</a></p> + +<p><a href="#grey2-07">7. Geological Section from Gregory's +Valley, St. Helena.</a></p> + +<p><a href="#grey2-08">8. Crossing Cattle over the Murray, near +Lake Alexandrina.<br> +Drawn on stone by George Barnard from a sketch by G. Hamilton, +Esquire.<br> +M. and N. Hanhart, Lithographic Printers, 64 Charlotte Street, +Rathbone Place.</a></p> + +<p><a href="#grey2-09">9. Basaltic Rocks, Campaspi River, near Port +Phillip.<br> +Drawn on stone by George Barnard from a sketch by G. Hamilton, +Esquire.<br> +M. and N. Hanhart, Lithographic Printers, 64 Charlotte Street, +Rathbone Place.<br> +Published by T. & W. Boone, London.</a></p> + +<p>REPTILES AND AMPHIBIA.</p> + +<p><a href="#grey2-10">10.1. Ronia catenulata (Gray).</a><br> +<a href="#grey2-10">10.2. Aprasia pulchella (Gray).</a><br> +<a href="#grey2-10">10.3. Delma fraseri (Gray).</a></p> + +<p><a href="#grey2-11">11.1. Lialis burtonii (Gray).</a><br> +<a href="#grey2-11">11.2. Soridia lineata (Gray).</a></p> + +<p><a href="#grey2-12">12. Moloch horridus (Gray).</a></p> + +<p><a href="#grey2-13">13.1. Elaps gouldii (Gray).<br> +13.2. Elaps coronatus (Schlegel).<br> +13.3. Calamaria diadema (Schlegel).<br> +13.4. Lialis burtonii (Gray).</a></p> + +<p><a href="#grey2-14">14. Hydraspis australis (Gray).</a></p> + +<p><a href="#grey2-15">15. Chelodina oblonga (Gray).</a></p> + +<p><a href="#grey2-16">16.1. Hyla binoculata (Gray).<br> +16.2. Hyla adelaidensis (Gray).</a></p> + +<p><a href="#grey2-17">17.1. Breviceps gouldii (Gray).<br> +17.2. Helioporus albo punctatus (Gray).<br> +17.2.a. fore foot.<br> +17.2.b. hind foot.</a></p> + +<p>INSECTS.</p> + +<p><a href="#grey2-18">18. INSECTS 1. Brachysternus (E.) +lamprimoides.</a></p> + +<p><a href="#grey2-19">19.1. INSECTS 2. Biphyllocera +kirbyana.<br> +19.2. INSECTS 2. Biphyllocera fabriciana.</a></p> + +<p><a href="#grey2-20">20. INSECTS 3. Helaeus echidna.</a></p> + +<p><a href="#grey2-21">21. INSECTS 4. Bardistus cibarius.</a></p> + +<p><a href="#grey2-22">22. INSECTS 5. Tympanophora +pellucida.</a></p> + +<p><a href="#grey2-23">23. INSECTS 6. Choerocydnus +foveolatus.</a></p> + +<p><a href="#grey2-24">24. INSECTS 7. Hesperia sophia.</a></p> + +<p><a href="#grey2-25">25. INSECTS 8.1.a. Hecatesia thyridion +female.<br> +25. INSECTS 8.1.b. Hecatesia thyridion male upper side.<br> +25. INSECTS 8.1.c. Hecatesia thyridion under.<br> +25. INSECTS 8.1.d. Hecatesia thyridion fenestra in wing of +male.<br> +25. INSECTS 8.2. Hecatesia fenestrata male.</a></p> + +<p><a href="#grey2-26">26. INSECTS 9. Cossodes lyonetii.</a></p> + +<p><a href="#grey2-27">27. INSECTS 10. Trichetra isabella +male.</a></p> + +<p><a href="#grey2-28">28. INSECTS 11. Trichetra isabella +female.</a></p> + +<hr align="center" width="25%"> +<p><a href="#appendix">APPENDIX.</a></p> + +<p><a href="#appendixa">A. Genealogical List, to show the manner +in which a native family becomes divided.</a></p> + +<p><a href="#appendixb">B. Mount Fairfax, the Wizard Hills, and +Champion Bay.</a></p> + +<p><a href="#appendixc">C. Contributions towards the Geographical +distribution of the Mammalia of Australia, with notes on some +recently discovered Species, by J.E. Gray, F.R.S., etc. etc., in +a letter addressed to the Author.</a></p> + +<p><a href="#appendixd">D. A List of the Birds of the Western +coast, furnished by Mr. Gould.</a></p> + +<p><a href="#appendixe">E. A Catalogue of the Species of Reptiles +and Amphibia hitherto described as inhabiting Australia, with a +description of some New Species from Western Australia, and some +remarks on their geographical distribution, by John Edward Gray, +F.R.S., etc. etc., in a note to the author.</a></p> + +<p><a href="#appendixf">F. Notes on some Insects from King +George's Sound, collected and presented to the British Museum, by +Captain George Grey, by Adam White, Esquire, British Museum, +addressed in a letter to the author.</a></p> + +<hr align="center" width="25%"> +<h1>JOURNALS OF EXPEDITIONS OF DISCOVERY.</h1> + +<p><a name="chapter1"></a></p> + +<h2>CHAPTER 1. FROM GANTHEAUME BAY TO THE HUTT RIVER.</h2> + +<p>WRECK OF THE SECOND BOAT IN GANTHEAUME BAY.</p> + +<p>A few moments were sufficient to enable us all to recollect +ourselves: two men endeavoured to keep the boat's stern on to the +sea, whilst the rest of us lightened her by carrying everything +we could on shore, after which we hauled her up. The custom had +always been for the other boat to lie off until I made the signal +for them to run in, and it accordingly was now waiting outside +the breakers. Her crew had not seen our misfortunes owing to the +height of the surf, which, when we were under it, shut us out +from their view, and now perceiving that we were on shore and the +boat hauled up, they concluded all was right; and notwithstanding +I made every possible sign to them not to beach, running as far +as I could venture into the sea and shouting out to them, my +voice was drowned by the roar of the surge, and I saw them +bounding on to, what I thought, certain destruction. We of course +were all turned to render assistance. They fortunately kept +rather to the south of the spot on which we had beached, and +where it was much less rocky, so that the danger they incurred in +reaching the shore was slight in comparison to ours; yet some of +the planks of this boat were split throughout their entire +length.</p> + +<p>EXPLORE IN ITS VICINITY. COUNTRY ABOUT GANTHEAUME BAY. +GEOLOGICAL REMARKS. CROSS A DISTRICT OF RED SANDSTONE.</p> + +<p>Whilst all hands were employed in endeavouring to repair +damages I ascended a hill to reconnoitre our present position and +found we were in a country of a pleasing and romantic appearance, +and although the land was not good the nature of the soil made me +aware that we were most probably in the vicinity of a large tract +of better quality; indeed this was the only part of South-west +Australia in which I had met with the ancient red sandstone of +the north-west coast; immediately behind the sandhills on which I +stood was a thick Casuarina scrub which sloped down into a deep +valley, and beyond this rose lofty and fantastic hills. After I +had for some time looked round on this scene I returned to the +party and received the report of the carpenters, who, having +examined the boats, stated their inability to render either of +them fit for sea. To this I had already made up my mind; and even +if the boats had been uninjured I doubt whether we could ever +have got them off again through the tremendous surf which was +breaking on this part of the shore; whilst to have moved them to +any distance would, in our present weak and enfeebled state, have +been utterly impossible.</p> + +<p>ESTUARY AND LANDING-PLACE AND SCENERY ABOUT IT.</p> + +<p>No resource was now left to us but to endeavour to reach Perth +by walking; yet when I looked at the sickly faces of some of the +party and saw their wasted forms I much doubted if they retained +strength to execute such a task; but they themselves were in high +spirits and talked of the undertaking as a mere trifle. I gave +orders for the necessary preparations to be made and then started +with two or three hands to search for water. On reaching the +valley I have before mentioned we found a small stream, and +following this to the northward for about a mile came out upon +one of the most romantic and picturesque-looking estuaries I had +yet seen: its shores abounded with springs and were bordered by +native paths, whilst the drooping foliage of several large sorts +of Casuarina, the number of wild swans on its placid bosom, and +the natives fishing in the distance, unconscious of our presence, +imparted to the whole scene a quiet and a charm which was deeply +felt by those who had now for so many days been either tossed +about by the winds and waves or had long been wandering over +barren and inhospitable shores. We did not indeed find much good +land about this estuary, but there were rich flats upon each side +of it, whilst the nature of the rocks and the lofty and peculiar +character of the distant hills gave promise of the most fertile +region I had yet seen in extra-tropical Australia.</p> + +<p>We followed the shores of the estuary to the northward and +eastward until we saw a point where it appeared to separate into +two branches. The natives decamped as soon as they observed us +coming, and Kaiber, who watched them with the most intense +interest, indulged in various speculations as to the number they +would bring back when they returned. We joined the party and +traced the shores of the estuary to its mouth, which turned out +to be the opening we saw in the morning: this mouth is completely +sheltered by a line of breakers and reefs, which, although they +present a most formidable appearance from the sea, can be doubled +by keeping pretty close along the shore in approaching the mouth +of the river. Owing to this reef there are no breakers on the +bar, but its mouth is very narrow and so shoal that I doubt if a +boat could be got in at any other time than high water: some of +the sailors with me however thought otherwise; but there is at +all events convenient landing at this point under the shelter of +the reef.</p> + +<p>FERTILE COUNTRY.</p> + +<p>April 2.</p> + +<p>The men not having quite completed their preparations for +starting, I moved off at dawn to resume the survey of Gantheaume +Bay and its vicinity. The estuary appeared this morning even more +lovely than yesterday, and as the heavy morning mists arose, +unfolding its beauties to our view, all those feelings came +thrilling through my mind which explorers alone can know; +flowering shrubs and trees, drooping foliage, a wide and placid +expanse of water met the view; trickling springs and fertile +flats were passed over by us; there was much barren land visible +in the distance, though many a sign and token might lead the +practical explorer to hope that he was about to enter upon a +tract of an extent and fertility yet unknown in south-west +Australia. A total change had taken place in the geological +formation of the land: a rock as yet unobserved in the south-west +portion of the continent occupied the principal place here; and +with this rock was associated limestone; the springs had a strong +sulphureous smell, and the lofty broken character of the distant +mountains had an almost grand appearance to those who had so long +wandered through low and level countries.</p> + +<p>Each step I took rendered my spirits more buoyant and elastic, +and each hill, the position of which I fixed, gave me, from its +appearance, renewed hopes. Under such agreeable circumstances the +morning wore rapidly away, and, having rendered my survey as +complete as I could, we returned to the boats.</p> + +<p>COMMENCE THE MARCH TO PERTH. PROVISIONS DIVIDED.</p> + +<p>We were now all ready to commence our toilsome journey; the +provisions had been shared out; twenty pounds of flour and one +pound of salt provisions per man, being all that was left. What I +have here designated by the name of flour was quite unworthy of +being so called. It was of a dark yellowish brown colour, and had +such a sour fermented taste that nothing but absolute necessity +could induce anyone to eat it. The party however were in high +spirits; they talked of a walk of three hundred miles in a direct +line through the country (without taking hills, valleys, and +necessary deviations into account) as a trifle, and in +imagination were already feasting at home and taking their ease +after the toils they had undergone.</p> + +<p>I gave them all warning of the many difficulties they had yet +to encounter, and did this not with the intention of damping +their ardour but in the hope of inducing them to abandon some +portion of the loads they intended to carry. I entrusted a small +pocket chronometer to Mr. Walker, and another to Corporals Coles +and Auger; and to Ruston I gave charge of a pocket-sextant which +belonged to the Surveyor-General at Perth. Coles and Auger also +undertook to carry a large sextant, turn about; all my own +papers, such charts as I thought necessary, and some smaller +instruments I bore myself; but Kaiber, in order to relieve me, +took charge of my gun and some other articles. Mr. Smith carried +his sketchbook and box of colours. I ought here to state that, in +all the difficulties which beset those individuals to whom I +entrusted anything, they never, except on one occasion, and by my +orders, abandoned it: indeed I do not believe that there is a +stronger instance of fidelity and perseverance than was evinced +by some of the party in retaining, under every difficulty, +possession of that which they had promised to preserve for +me.</p> + +<p>PICTURESQUE HALTING-PLACE.</p> + +<p>Our loads having been hoisted on our shoulders away we moved. +I had before chosen my line of route, and the plan I had resolved +to adopt was to walk on slowly but continuously for an hour, and +then to halt for ten minutes; during which interval of time the +men could rest and relieve themselves from the weight of their +burdens whilst I could enter what notes and bearings I had taken +during the preceding hour.</p> + +<p>We were embarrassed for the first portion of our journey this +afternoon by a thick scrub, through which we could only make our +way with great difficulty, but on coming to a watercourse running +into the southern part of Gantheaume Bay from the south-east I +turned up its bed, and we were then able to move along with +tolerable facility. This watercourse ran at the bottom of a red +sandstone ravine resembling the old red sandstone of England; and +the remainder of the evening was spent in clambering about the +rocks and endeavouring to avoid such natural obstacles as impeded +our route. Our progress was slow, and just before nightfall I +turned up a branch ravine trending to the southward, when we soon +found ourselves at the foot of a lofty cascade down which a +little water was slowly dropping; and on climbing to its summit +it appeared to be so well adapted for a halting-place for the +night that I determined to remain here. The men made themselves +comfortable near the waterholes, and Mr. Smith and myself crept +into a little cave which occasionally served as a resting-place +for the natives, the remains of whose fires were scattered about. +A wild woodland and rocky scenery was around us; and when the +moon rose and shed her pale light over all I sat with Mr. Smith +on the edge of the waterfall, gazing alternately into the dim +woody abyss below, and at the red fires and picturesque groups of +men, than which fancy could scarcely image a wilder scene.</p> + +<p>NATIVE PATH AND WELL.</p> + +<p>April 3.</p> + +<p>Before the day had fully dawned we were under weigh. Our +course for the first mile or two was embarrassed by ravines and +scrub similar to that we had yesterday met with; our progress was +therefore very slow, but we at length emerged on elevated sandy +downs, thickly clothed with banksia trees, and across these we +came upon a well-beaten native path running to the south by east, +which was exactly our line of route. We had not followed this +path for more than four miles when we found a most +romantically-situated native well, surrounded by shrubs and +graceful wattle trees, and of a depth and size such as we had +never before observed. Here then we seated ourselves, and upon +such scanty fare as we had made a sparing breakfast. This however +but very insufficiently supplied our wants; and as we sat at this +little well, thus surrounded with such fairy scenery, a variety +of philosophic reflections crossed our minds and found vent in +words. Nothing could be more delightfully romantic than our +present position. Both as regarded danger, scenery, savages, and +unknown lands, we were in precisely the situation in which Mr. +Cooper and other novelists delight to depict their travellers, +with this one woeful difference--our wallets were empty. It was +in vain I fumbled about in mine; I could neither find the remains +of a venison pasty, a fat buffalo's hump, or any other delicacy: +indeed I had not the means of keeping life and soul together for +many days longer. Deeply did we regret that we were not favoured +for a few days with the company of Mr. Cooper, that he might in +our present difficulties fully initiate us into the mysterious, +nay, almost miraculous means by which his travellers, even in the +most dreary wilds, always contrived to draw forth from their +stock of provender such dainties that the bare recollection of +them made our mouths water; but the necessities of the moment +would not permit me for more than a few minutes to indulge in +these speculations, and we turned therefore from seductive +travels of the imagination to the more stringent ones of +reality.</p> + +<p>HEAVY LOADS CARRIED BY THE MEN.</p> + +<p>I now entreated the men to disencumber themselves of a portion +of the loads which they were attempting to carry. Urged by a +miscalculating desire of gain, when the boats were abandoned they +had laid hands upon canvas and what else they thought would sell +at Perth, and some of them appeared to be resolved rather to risk +their lives than the booty they were bending under. The more +tractable threw away the articles I told them to get rid of; but +neither entreaties nor menaces prevailed with the others.</p> + +<p>For the next three miles we still followed the native path +which continued to run south by east. The whole of this distance +was over open sandy downs, abounding in kangaroos; but we now +suddenly emerged into a rich limestone country of gently sloping +hills and valleys, affording, even at this season of the year, +fair feed for sheep or cattle, and we found springs of water at +every few hundred yards, generally situated at the edge of a +large clump of trees.</p> + +<p>After having for some time rested here I quitted the native +path, which trended too much to the eastward, and, leaving also +the direction of the limestone country which ran inland, we +continued a south by east course over a gravelly tableland in +places covered with beds of clay on which rested ponds of water. +The country here was perfectly open, with clumps of trees to the +eastward. Emus and kangaroos were wandering about the plains.</p> + +<p>DIFFICULT SCRUB.</p> + +<p>Two miles more brought us to an almost impenetrable belt of +scrub which lay east and west, directly athwart our path, so that +we were obliged to face it; and in two hours and a half I had +forced my way through it. The others followed, slowly emerging +from the bush after me and, as we were all totally exhausted, as +well as dreadfully torn and bruised, we halted at its edge for +the night, and lighting our fires lay down to court that repose +we had so fairly earned. We had however only walked fifteen and a +half miles today.</p> + +<p>April 4.</p> + +<p>I again this morning used every effort to induce some more of +the men to abandon a portion of their loads. I represented to +them their weak state, the small supply of provisions they had +with them, and the difficulty they already found in keeping up +with the party; but all these arguments and every other I could +make use of were unavailing; the tenacity with which they clung +to a worthless property, even at the risk of their lives, is +almost incredible, and it is to be borne in mind that this +property was not their own, but what they had taken from the +wreck of the boats. Did I even induce one to throw anything away +another avaricious fellow would pick it up; and their thoughts +and conversation, instead of running upon making the best of +their way home and saying their lives, consisted in conjectures +as to what they would realize from their ill-gotten and +embarrassing booty.</p> + +<p>SUPERIOR NATIVE PATH AND WELLS.</p> + +<p>The course I pursued was one of 180 degrees and we soon fell +in with the native path which we had quitted yesterday; but it +now became wide, well beaten, and differing altogether by its +permanent character from any I had seen in the southern portion +of this continent. For the first five miles we traversed scrubby +stony hills, thickly wooded with banksia trees; but the limestone +here again cropped out and we entered a very fertile valley, +running north and south and terminating in a larger one which +drained the country from east to west. This valley is remarkable +as containing one Xanthorrhoea (grass-tree) being the farthest +point to the north at which I have found this tree. In it also +was a gigantic ant's nest, being the most southerly one I had yet +seen. All these circumstances convinced me that we were about to +enter a very interesting region. And as we wound along the native +path my wonder augmented; the path increased in breadth and in +its beaten appearance, whilst along the side of it we found +frequent wells, some of which were ten and twelve feet deep and +were altogether executed in a superior manner.</p> + +<p>NATIVE WARRAN GROUND. PLAINS ABOUNDING IN THE WARRAN +PLANT.</p> + +<p>We now crossed the dry bed of a stream and from that emerged +upon a tract of light fertile soil, quite overrun with warran +plants,* the root of which is a favourite article of food with +the natives. This was the first time we had yet seen this plant +on our journey, and now for three and a half consecutive miles we +traversed a fertile piece of land literally perforated with the +holes the natives had made to dig this root; indeed we could with +difficulty walk across it on that account, whilst this tract +extended east and west as far as we could see.</p> + +<blockquote>(*Footnote. The Warran in a species of Dioscorea, a +sort of yam like the sweet potato. It is known by the same name +both on the east and west side of the continent.)</blockquote> + +<p>It was now evident that we had entered the most +thickly-populated district of Australia that I had yet observed, +and moreover one which must have been inhabited for a long series +of years, for more had here been done to secure a provision from +the ground by hard manual labour than I could have believed it in +the power of uncivilised man to accomplish. After crossing a low +limestone range we came down upon another equally fertile warran +ground, bounded eastward by a high range of rocky limestone +hills, luxuriantly grassed, and westward by a low range of +similar formation. The native path about two miles further on +crossed this latter range, and we found ourselves in a grassy +valley, about four miles wide, bounded seawards by sandy downs. +Along its centre lay a chain of reedy freshwater swamps, and +native paths ran in from all quarters to one main line of +communication leading to the southward.</p> + +<p>DANGERS OF DELAY.</p> + +<p>In these swamps we first found the yunjid, or flag (a species +of typha) and the sow-thistle of the southern districts; one we +came to was a thick tea-tree swamp, extremely picturesque, and +producing abundance of these plants, some of which were collected +by the men to eat in the evening. To my surprise Mr. Walker here +came up to me and asked if I did not think it would be better to +halt for a day or two at places of this kind to allow the men to +refresh themselves. The idea of men halting and wasting their +strength and energies in searching for native food whilst they +had so fearful a journey before them, and no supplies, appeared +to me to be preposterous in the extreme: to obtain a sufficiency +of food, even for a native, requires in Australia a great degree +of skill and knowledge of the productions of the country; but for +a European, utterly unaccustomed to this species of labour and +totally unacquainted with the productions of the land, to obtain +enough to support life for any period, whilst at the same time he +has to search for water, is quite impossible. Even Kaiber, from +his ignorance of the roots, declared that he should starve in +this country. I saw therefore that did I adopt the proposed plan +of travelling only a few miles a day, and occasionally halting +for a day or two to refresh ourselves upon some thistles and +periwinkles, I should infallibly sacrifice the lives of the whole +party; and under this impression I declined to accede to the +suggestion. Amongst indolent and worn-out men however it +subsequently became an extremely popular notion, and, as future +events clearly showed, a fatally erroneous one. I from the first +opposed it both by my words and example; and in this instance, as +soon as I conceived that the men were sufficiently rested, I +moved on.</p> + +<p>PICTURESQUE ESTUARY.</p> + +<p>After travelling another mile we found ourselves at the head +of a large and picturesque estuary which lay north and south; the +native path ran along its shores, which were of great richness +and beauty, and the estuary itself lay to our west and was about +two miles across; on the east a series of rich undercliff +limestone hills gradually rose into lofty and precipitate ranges, +between which and the estuary was the fertile valley along which +we wound our weary way; while groups of graceful acacias with +their airy and delicate foliage gave a great charm to this +beautiful spot. We moved slowly along, and ere we had made two +miles more the shades of night began to fall and I halted the +party.</p> + +<p>RICH AND FERTILE DISTRICT.</p> + +<p>The abundance of grass which grew around enabled us to enjoy +the almost unknown luxury of a soft bed, yet as I lay down my +thoughts were far from pleasant when I found that we had only +walked twelve miles today, and this distance had been +accomplished by several of the party with the greatest +difficulty. Three of them were the men who carried those heavy +loads which I could not yet induce them to abandon; now I could +not but reflect that, if their difficulty was so great in walking +in a country abounding with water, that it would be almost +impossible for them to get along in one where it was scarce; +moreover the mere physical exertion of getting unwilling men to +move by persuasions and entreaties was harassing in the extreme, +and indeed had so agitated me that the night had nearly worn away +ere I closed my eyes. The rich flats we were on today have +apparently at no distant period formed part of the head of the +estuary.</p> + +<p>April 5.</p> + +<p>Such a heavy dew had fallen during the night that when I got +up in the morning I found my clothes completely saturated, and +everything looked so verdant and flourishing compared to the +parched up country which existed to the north of us, and that +which I knew lay to the south, that I tried to find a +satisfactory reason to explain so strange a circumstance, but +without success. It seemed certain however that we stood in the +richest province of South-west Australia, and one which so +differs from the other portions of it in its geological +characters, in the elevations of its mountains which lie close to +the sea coast, in the fertility of its soil, and the density of +its native population, that we appeared to be moving upon another +continent. As yet however the only means I had of judging of the +large number of natives inhabiting this district had been from +their paths and warran grounds, but it was most probable that we +should ere long fall in with some of them.</p> + +<p>We started at dawn pursuing a south-south-east direction, and +at the end of one mile rounded a bluff point; the limestone hills +to the eastward gradually decreased in elevation and we ascended +one of them to gain a view of the surrounding country. I found +that the summit of this range consisted of a terrace about half a +mile wide, richly grassed and ornamented with clumps of mimosas; +to the eastward rose a precisely similar limestone terrace, +whilst to the westward lay the estuary with its verdant and +extensive flats.</p> + +<p>APPEARANCE OF NATIVES.</p> + +<p>As we wound our way along this terrace a large party of +natives suddenly appeared on the high ground to the eastward of +us. They evinced no fear whatever but advanced to within about +two hundred yards, when I went forward with Kaiber to induce them +to hold an interview with us; this however I could not bring +about, for whenever I advanced they retreated, and when I retired +they advanced; they also now began to shout out to their distant +fellows, and these again cooeed to others still farther off, +until the calls were lost in the distance, whilst fresh +reinforcements of natives came trooping in from all +directions.</p> + +<p>INDICATIONS OF HOSTILITY. PROGRESS OPPOSED BY NATIVES.</p> + +<p>Our situation was growing critical for had any of the party +been wounded we could not attempt to save his life by remaining +with him without the almost certain danger of losing our own, +whilst on the other hand to have abandoned him under such +circumstances would have been impossible. I was most anxious to +get rid of these natives in peace, as they now could not be +induced to come to us, being most probably fearful of our +numbers. I hoped therefore they would let us go quietly on our +way and moved the party forward; but they now followed us with +loud shouts, whilst those in the distance came running up. I +again halted but they would hold no communication, and when in +despair I again moved the party on we saw a number hastening to +occupy a thick scrub through which we had to pass. The men now +became so dissatisfied and alarmed that I found I should be +unable much longer to restrain them from firing if I did not +disperse the natives.</p> + +<p>I therefore halted the party, and cocking my gun moved rapidly +towards them, motioning them away; they retired as I advanced, +but directly I turned they again followed us; I now ran towards +them with my gun pointed, when they made off before me once more, +and in order to complete their dispersion I had intended to fire +over their heads; but to my great mortification and their intense +delight, my gun snapped, and, as they found the weapon I had with +me, and with which I had menaced them in so authoritative a +manner, appeared to produce no effect, they took courage, and, +turning about, made faces at me and an insulting noise which was +meant to imitate the snapping of the gun. Their inimical +intentions now became more manifest; I however ran at them again, +and fired my second barrel over their heads, which caused a rapid +retreat; but they halted on a rising ground about three hundred +yards from us, and finding on the muster of their forces that +they had sustained no damage, they made preparations, as if +resolved to commence hostilities in earnest.</p> + +<p>NATIVES DISPERSED.</p> + +<p>As these natives had now unfortunately learnt to despise our +weapons I was compelled to act promptly, or blood would +undoubtedly have been shed. I therefore took my rifle from Coles +and, directing it at a heap of closely matted dead bushes which +were distant two or three yards to the right of their main body, +I drove a ball right through it: the dry rotten boughs crackled, +and flew in all directions, whilst our enemy, utterly confounded +at this distant, novel, and unfair mode of warfare, fled from the +field in confusion, the majority of our party rejoicing at the +bloodless victory: we then wended our way along the native path +which led us down to the flats bordering the estuary, and finding +there an underground stream of water bubbling along through a +limestone cavity and having several openings upwards, we halted +to refresh ourselves.</p> + +<p>I had hoped that finding hostile natives in our vicinity would +have made the stragglers keep up better with the party, but they +would neither hasten on nor throw away their loads, so that my +patience was sorely tried; a man of the name of Stiles was the +worst; nothing could induce him to move along, and even the +threat of leaving him behind produced no effect; I however kept +pushing steadily onwards, for I never thought of the length of +the journey we had to perform without trembling for the result. +We were now walking on a course of 180 degrees, and followed this +line for two miles and a half through a similar country. We still +found many native paths running along the estuary, and saw the +natives fishing, but they carefully avoided us, making off for +the high lands as fast as they could.</p> + +<p>ESTUARY OF THE HUTT RIVER. DESCRIPTION OF THE COUNTRY AND +SCENERY.</p> + +<p>The estuary became narrower here, and shortly after seeing +these natives we came upon a river running into it from the +eastward; its mouth was about forty yards wide, the stream +strong, but the water brackish, and it flowed through a very deep +ravine, having steep limestone hills on each side: many +wild-fowls were on the river, but we could not get a shot at +them. Being unable to ford the river here we followed it in a +south-east direction for two miles, and in this distance passed +two native villages, or, as the men termed them, towns, the huts +of which they were composed differed from those in the southern +districts in being much larger, more strongly built, and very +nicely plastered over the outside with clay and clods of turf, so +that although now uninhabited they were evidently intended for +fixed places of residence. This again showed a marked difference +between the habits of the natives of this part of Australia and +the south-western portions of the continent; for these superior +huts, well marked roads, deeply sunk wells, and extensive warran +grounds, all spoke of a large and comparatively-speaking resident +population, and the cause of this undoubtedly must have been the +great facilities for procuring food in so rich a soil.</p> + +<p>MOUNT VICTORIA AND MOUNT ALBERT.</p> + +<p>We now came to two very remarkable hills bearing north-east of +us and distant about three miles, which I have named Mount +Victoria and Mount Albert. They lay about one mile apart, and +were of the form shown in Illustration 2, which will give a good +idea of the flat-topped hills hereabouts.</p> + +<center> +<p><a name="grey2-02"></a><img alt="" src="images/grey2-02.jpg"></p> + +<p><b>2. Mount Victoria and Mount Albert.</b></p> +</center> + +<p>THE HUTT RIVER.</p> + +<p>The river still ran in a deep wooded valley bordered by rich +flats, high hills lying both to the right and left of our line of +route. Two miles and a half more on a course of 135 degrees +brought us out on some gravelly barren plains, and just before +coming to these, and in passing through a scrub, we raised a +flight of white cockatoos, of a species new to me. One of the men +got an ineffectual shot at them.</p> + +<p>FIRST HILLS OF THE SOUTHERN IRONSTONE FORMATION.</p> + +<p>After traversing these plains for two miles in a south-east +direction we came upon a valley through which flowed a branch of +the river we had this day discovered, running in a bed of fifty +yards across, and having in its centre a rapid stream falling in +small cascades; it appeared at times subject to extensive +inundations, and here its course was through barren plains +covered with rocks piled up in strange fantastic masses, and the +bed was composed of that kind of red sandstone which at Perth is +called ironstone; this being the farthest point north at which I +have remarked it.</p> + +<p>A number of grass-trees (Xanthorrhoea) grew near the spot +where we had halted; they appeared unhealthy and stunted, but +indeed I suspect they are a new and undescribed variety. Being +desirous of procuring anything I could for the men to eat I had +the tops of some of these trees cut off and boiled, they were +however still so hard that to chew them was impossible, and it +was evident that we had not yet reached a parallel of latitude +calculated to produce tender-topped grass trees.</p> + +<p>I knew our latitude and position this night exactly, as I had +seen Mount Naturaliste of the French in the course of the day. +There could be no doubt whatever that we were in a very +remarkable district, for we stood upon the point where the +geological formations of the north-western and south-western +portions of the continent were associated together, and the flora +of which was so made up of those of both that it was impossible +to tell which predominated. There were many other interesting +circumstances connected with the surrounding country, some of +which have been already mentioned. I named the river and estuary +now discovered the Hutt after William Hutt, Esquire, M.P., +brother of His Excellency the Governor of Western Australia.</p> + +<p>INDISPOSITION OF MR. SMITH.</p> + +<p>Mr. Smith this day complained of weakness, not sufficiently +however in the least to alarm me. He had hitherto been nearly +always in the rear of the party without lagging, but I thought +two of the men in a much weaker state than he was.</p> + +<p><a name="chapter2"></a></p> + +<h2>CHAPTER 2. FROM THE HUTT RIVER TO WATER PEAK.</h2> + +<p>WILD TURKEYS SEEN.</p> + +<p>April 6.</p> + +<p>We moved off this morning on a course of 180 degrees. The +first mile of our journey was over low scrubby ironstone hills. +We then came down upon rich flats through which the main branch +of the Hutt ran; and followed the course of this branch for about +two miles. It was not running but there were many pools with +water in its bed: the flats were rich and grassy and on the hills +to the westward (the Menai Hills) we descried wild turkeys, being +the farthest point north at which I had seen this bird.</p> + +<p>As I saw that the ground in front of us was very steep and +abrupt, so that the weak and weary would have found it a +difficult task to master such an ascent, I turned off on a course +of 168 degrees, ascending a sandy tableland covered with scrub. +When we had walked three miles in this direction the table-hill +of Captain King bore east by south distant five miles. We now +proceeded parallel to the sea, which was distant one mile through +an indifferent country. This course continued for about five +miles, and on the ranges to the eastward the country still +appeared to be grassy and good.</p> + +<p>RELUCTANCE OF THE MEN TO HASTEN ONWARDS. DIFFICULTY OF URGING +THE PARTY FORWARD.</p> + +<p>Although we had walked very slowly many of the party were +completely exhausted, and one or two of the discontented ones +pretended to be dreadfully in want of water, notwithstanding they +carried canteens and had only walked eight miles since leaving +the bank of a river; I was therefore obliged to halt, and could +not get them to move for three hours. I am sorry to say that some +who should have known much better endeavoured to instil into the +minds of the men that it was preferable only to walk a few miles +a day and not to waste their strength by long marches; utterly +forgetting that most of the party had now only seven or eight +pounds of fermented flour left, and that if they did not make +play whilst they had strength their eventually reaching Perth was +quite hopeless. This however was a very popular doctrine for +thoughtless and weary men, who were overloaded and yet from a +feeling of avarice would not abandon any portion of what they +were carrying. The majority of the party not only adopted these +views in theory but doggedly carried them into practice; and from +this moment I abandoned all hope of getting the whole party into +the settled districts in safety. Poor fellows! most of them paid +dearly for the mistaken notions they now adopted. Mr. Smith, with +his usual spirit, was for pushing on, although his strength was +inadequate to the task. I laid under the shade of a bush lost in +gloomy reveries and temporary unpopularity; Kaiber by my side +lulled me with native songs composed for the occasion, and in +prospective I saw all the dread sufferings which were to befall +the doomed men who sat around me, confident of their success +under the new plan; but like all prophets I was without honour +amongst my own acquaintance; and after considering the matter +under every point of view I thought it better for the moment to +succumb to the general feeling, yet to lose no opportunity on +every subsequent occasion of endeavouring to rouse the party into +a degree of energy suited to our desperate circumstances.</p> + +<p>At the end of the three hours I again begged several of the +party, who appeared to be in an exhausted state, to abandon a +portion of their useless loads; but they were quite sure that by +making short marches, not exhausting their strength, and now and +then halting for a day or two to refresh, they could carry them +into Perth, and therefore refused to part with them. Mr. Smith +and myself found that stopping in this way and getting cold +rendered our limbs so stiff and painful when we walked on again +that we could scarcely move; and I suspect that such was the case +with the other men, for when we started again I could hardly get +them along. One man of the name of Stiles, who was a stout +supporter of the new theory, made us stop for him nearly every +five minutes.</p> + +<p>THE BOWES RIVER.</p> + +<p>After walking one mile we fortunately came to a very deep +valley, having such steep limestone cliffs on each side that it +assumed quite the character of a ravine: it was about a mile wide +and in it was a watercourse winding through deep flats. We +however only found water in pools; the course of the stream was +very tortuous and its mouth was almost blocked up by sandhills. +The valley itself was both picturesque and fertile, and the +appearance of the country to the east and north-east was highly +promising. The stream I called the Bowes.</p> + +<p>NATIVE RESTING-PLACE. NATIVE HUTS.</p> + +<p>This spot was a favourite halting-place of the natives; and +from the number of huts and other indications which we saw the +district must be very densely populated. The huts were of the +same superior construction as those which we had seen near the +Hutt, and the traces were very recent, but the natives themselves +were either at a distance or kept carefully out of our way. The +valley that we were now in, as well as the other limestone +valleys in this province, partook exactly of the character of +those in the carboniferous limestone districts of England +inasmuch as they were deep gorges, or ravines, now traversed by +watercourses or streams apparently much too insignificant to have +grooved them out.</p> + +<p>PROVOKING INDOLENCE OF THE MEN.</p> + +<p>Our finding water here was fortunate for I now showed the men +that, had they walked one mile farther instead of halting in the +manner they had done, they would have had abundance of it, and +would have been, at this moment, at least, five miles nearer +home. I also directed Mr. Walker to examine Stiles and to state +whether he was in good health or not. He did so and reported him +quite well. I therefore when we started again gave Stiles warning +that I should not halt every minute for him but would leave him +behind, at the same time ordering him to walk in front of the +party, next after me.</p> + +<p>I continued a course of 180 degrees up a steep limestone +range, behind which apparently ran a branch of the watercourse we +had just passed: a good country lay to the eastward of us. Stiles +now delayed us so much that some of his comrades spoke to him +very warmly on the subject, whilst others still held to the +opinion that walking a few miles a day and sometimes halting a +day or two to refresh was the true mode of proceeding. We only +made two miles this evening and I threw myself on the ground so +worn and harassed that I could not sleep.</p> + +<p>AN EXTENSIVE FERTILE COUNTRY.</p> + +<p>Sunday April 7.</p> + +<p>Before the sun had appeared above the horizon I managed to get +the party fairly started, and we followed a course of 180 degrees +over elevated sandy downs which rested on a limestone formation. +The first four miles of our journey was not very encouraging; we +could only see as far to the eastward as the flat-topped range; +and although the slopes of these hills looked very fertile I had +no means of judging how far back this good country extended; we +had however been creeping gradually up an ascent, and when we +gained the summit of this I turned to look to the northward after +the straggling party, who were slowly mounting the hill, some of +them staggering along under loads so heavy that I should have +hated the tyranny of any man who could have compelled them to +carry such a weight; but as it was I could only grieve to see +men, from the hope of gain, rushing so inevitably on their fate. +Having gazed till weary at this painful picture of the weakness +of human nature, I turned to the north-eastward, and there burst +upon my sight a most enchanting view. In the far east, that is, +some twenty or five-and-twenty miles away, stretched a lofty +chain of mountains, flat-topped and so regular in their outline +that they appeared rather the work of art than of nature. Between +this range and the nearest one lay a large rich valley vying with +the most fertile I have ever seen in an extra-tropical country. +In front of us lay another valley which drained a portion of the +large one, and in both rose gently swelling hills and picturesque +peaks, wooded in the most romantic manner. Whilst I stood and +looked on this scene, my woes were forgotten. Such moments as +these repay an explorer for much toil and trouble.</p> + +<p>THE VICTORIA RANGE AND DISTRICT. THE PROVINCE OF VICTORIA.</p> + +<p>The distant range I at once named the Victoria in honour of +Her Majesty; and being now certain that the district we were in +was one of the most fertile in Australia I named it the Province +of Victoria. There is no other part of extra-tropical Australia +which can boast of the same number of streams in an equal extent +of coast frontage, or which has such elevated land so near the +sea; and I have seen no other which has so large an extent of +good country. It is however bounded both to the north and south +by comparatively-speaking unproductive districts; but what the +character of the country to the north-east and south-east may be +still remains to be ascertained.</p> + +<p>Another mile on a course of 180 degrees brought us to the +valley in our front; it was of the same rich and romantic +character as that which I have just described, being in depth +about two hundred feet, down limestone rocks, in places assuming +the character of cliffs. In its bottom was a watercourse +containing water in pools only; but it must be borne in mind that +it was now the very end of the dry season. The party all came up, +and we laid ourselves down under the grateful shade of the +mimosas. Those who chose took their fill of water. I had made a +rule never to taste it except to wash out my mouth from sunrise +until we halted for the night; for I found that drinking water +promoted profuse perspiration and more ardent thirst, and I +preferred practising a little self-denial to enduring the greater +pangs arising from indulgence.</p> + +<p>Whilst I stretched my weary length along under the pleasant +shade I saw in fancy busy crowds throng the scenes I was then +amongst. I pictured to myself the bleating sheep and lowing herds +wandering over these fertile hills; and I chose the very spot on +which my house should stand, surrounded with as fine an +amphitheatre of verdant land as the eye of man has ever gazed on. +The view was backed by the Victoria Range, whilst seaward you +looked out through a romantic glen upon the great Indian Ocean. I +knew that within four or five years civilization would have +followed my tracks, and that rude nature and the savage would no +longer reign supreme over so fine a territory. Mr. Smith entered +eagerly into my thoughts and views: together we built these +castles in the air, trusting we should see happy results spring +from our present sufferings and labours, but within a few weeks +from this day he died in the wilds he was exploring.</p> + +<p>THE BULLER RIVER.</p> + +<p>The stream we were on I named the Buller; we rested some time +by it and when we moved on some of the advocates of the eight or +ten mile a day system very unwillingly followed the party. We +fell in with a native path which wound up through a thick scrub +in pleasing sinuosities, and emerged upon a tableland similar to +the one we had traversed this morning.</p> + +<p>THE CHAPMAN RIVER.</p> + +<p>I now followed a course of 169 degrees, and after walking +three miles more we arrived at the edge of a valley of the same +character as that wherein the Buller flowed, and through it we +had another view of the fertile country to the eastward: into +this valley we descended and, finding a watercourse running +through it with water in pools, I seated myself with such of the +party as were up, about half a quarter of a mile from the Mount +Fairfax of Captain King, and named this stream the Chapman.</p> + +<p>SEARCH FOR A MISSING MAN.</p> + +<p>Mr. Walker now came up with the remainder of the party and +reported that Stiles was missing. As he could have no difficulty +in finding us I merely took the precaution to make the men sit in +such positions that he could distinguish us from the summit of +the opposite cliffs when he arrived there, and we patiently +awaited that moment. Time however wore on, and some of the men +finding a species of geranium with a root not unlike a very small +and tough parsnip, we prepared and ate several messes of this +plant. At length, no signs of Stiles having been seen, I sent Mr. +Walker, Corporal Auger, and Kaiber to the top of the cliffs we +had descended to try if they could discern anything of him or his +tracks. During their absence I expressed, in the hearing of some +of the men, my anxiety lest he should have lingered behind and +have fallen in with the natives; upon which they smiled and said +that "Tom Stiles was a man who did not care about the natives; +and that only that morning he had said he didn't mind for all the +natives in the island, d--- them;" and that they thought he had +stopped behind on purpose.</p> + +<p>GATHERING OF NATIVES. SCENE WITH NATIVES.</p> + +<p>The absence of Mr. Walker and his party continued much longer +than I expected, and just at the moment that I had become rather +alarmed about it Coles reported to me that he saw natives on the +opposite cliff, jumping about and running up and down brandishing +their spears in the manner they do before and after a fight. +Coles was at this time posted as sentry on a terrace just above +where we were, and the ascent to which was very difficult. I got +up on this as fast as I could; it was only two or three yards +broad and ran apparently along the whole length of the valley. +The natives used it as a path, and a very steep hill rose behind +it. I could not however make out the natives, and as the opposite +cliffs were a long way off I thought that Coles might have been +mistaken. When I told him this he merely said "Look there, then, +Sir," and pointed to the top of Mount Fairfax, distant about 400 +yards due north of us, and sure enough there were a party of +natives, well armed and going through a variety of ceremonies +which the experience of centuries had proved to be highly +efficacious in getting rid of evil spirits. In the present +instance however their wonted efficacy failed, but the natives +appeared every moment to be getting more vehement in their +gestures.</p> + +<p>Our situation by no means pleased me: Stiles and a separate +party of our own men had mysteriously disappeared in the +direction where Coles had first seen the natives, by whom we were +in a manner surrounded, and that in an abominable position, for +they could steal amongst the underwood close above us in our +rear, and annoy us with missiles of all sorts; whilst from the +extent and thickness of the scrub it was impossible to occupy it +effectually against treacherous (or rather, bold and skilful) +enemies. On the other hand I could not quit my present position +and occupy a more favourable one, for, in the event of Mr. Walker +and Corporal Auger being pressed by the natives and retreating on +us, it was our duty to be at that spot where they would calculate +on finding us and an effectual assistance. I made therefore the +best disposition of my little force I could, and, occupying the +centre of the party, I had the satisfaction of seeing our wild +friends on Mount Fairfax, blowing strongly at us and capering +more furiously than ever when they beheld our unaccountable +manoeuvres.</p> + +<p>THEIR MANOEUVRES.</p> + +<p>It was fortunate that poor Kaiber was absent, for so fearful +an exhibition of sorcery would have altogether upset his nerves; +but the British soldiers and sailors I had with me remained +surprisingly calm; whilst the natives, having exhibited their +antics for a few minutes more, suddenly withdrew in a hurried +manner. I therefore made up my mind for a surprise, and we +anxiously waited to see from what quarter the attack would +come.</p> + +<p>CONTINUATION OF SEARCH FOR THE MISSING MAN. RETURN OF PARTY +FROM SEARCH.</p> + +<p>The cause of their disappearance was however soon explained. +Mr. Walker, Corporal Auger, and Kaiber came winding down the +hills under Mount Fairfax, and gave the following account of +their proceedings: On ascending the cliffs opposite to us they +had found Stiles's tracks, and had followed them until they +reached the sea beach; on passing the stream on their way there +they found a place where he had halted and made up all his flour +into dampers; but on coming out on the shore they saw a large +party of natives seated on the sandhills in front, whilst others +were fishing in the sea at this point; and the tracks of Stiles +turned off into the interior: this hero, who wished to encounter +all the natives of the island single-handed, had evidently fled +from them. Mr. Walker had been unable to follow his tracks any +further and had therefore thought it most prudent to return to +the main party.</p> + +<p>From the circumstances of Stiles having thrown away part of +his clothes, and having made such a large quantity of dough to +bake into dampers at the first convenient opportunity, together +with various expressions he had dropped in the presence of the +men, there could be no doubt but that he had purposely quitted +the party; yet to abandon him to his fate amongst natives, who +were by no means friendly in their gestures and appearance, +required a degree of resolution I was unprepared at that moment +to exercise. To leave him without a search was to sacrifice one +life, to allow one man to perish, whilst occupying one or two +days in looking for him would merely increase the temporary +sufferings of the rest; whilst the loss of time would probably +occasion no other bad result than a little more personal +privation; and this, in order to try to save the life of a +fellow-creature, I conceived it to be my own duty and that of the +rest of the party to undergo. Influenced by these reasons I +desired all hands to prepare to start in search of Stiles.</p> + +<p>Strange however to say, my resolution was scarcely made known +ere much grumbling arose; and this chiefly amongst those men who +had lately been loudest in their praises of the system of only +marching a few miles a day and occasionally halting for a day or +two where we could get native roots to eat, in fact, amongst +those whose foolish ideas had led Stiles to desert the party. We +however moved on in the direction of the spot where Kaiber had +lost the tracks, and on our way over the high ground we met a +native with his spear and a handful of fish; he was lost in +thought and we were close to him before he saw us: when he did so +he took no notice whatever of us, but without even quickening his +pace continued in his original line of direction, which crossed +ours obliquely. As he evidently did not wish to communicate with +us I directed the men not to take the least notice of him, and +thus we passed one another. He must have been a very brave fellow +to act so coolly as he did when an array so strange to him met +his eye.</p> + +<p>ANOTHER PARTY OF NATIVES.</p> + +<p>On arriving at the beach to the south of a bay or harbour,* +which the pressure of circumstances precluded me from examining, +we could find nothing of Stiles's tracks: he appeared to have +gone off due east in the hope of crossing our route, but, being +in advance of us, and consequently not finding our traces, it was +impossible to say in which direction he might have turned. The +natives now mustered a very large force and occupied the high +hills (almost cliffs) which lay a few hundred yards to our left, +and, as they had such an advantageous position and could at any +moment surprise us amongst the low sandhills where we were +searching for Stiles's footsteps, our situation was one of great +danger. At length, finding it impossible to keep the men steady, +I moved them up to the higher ground, where we could have met the +natives upon a footing of equality. They appeared, although very +numerous, to be now by no means hostile, merely standing on a +high hill, watching us and calling out "Yoongar kaw," or "Oh, +people!" whilst Kaiber, who knew nothing of their vile magical +practices, and therefore regarded them as mere ordinary flesh and +blood, was very ready to communicate with them; but as they made +no other advances, I thought it better merely to remain near them +for the night, occasionally firing a gun in hopes Stiles might +hear it, and with this intention I selected a spot for our +encampment.</p> + +<blockquote>(*Footnote. For a further description of this +harbour, which has been since denominated Port Grey, see the +account of the schooner Champion's Expedition in the 6th +chapter.)</blockquote> + +<p>April 8.</p> + +<p>We started very early this morning and Kaiber exerted himself +to the utmost to find Stiles's traces. At the end of three miles, +on a course of 180 degrees, we descended from the elevated +scrubby plains we had been moving along to the lowlands, and on +reaching this came upon the bed of a small watercourse. I here +halted the party; and as it was uncertain when we might again +fall in with water I commenced a search for it with Kaiber, but +after travelling rapidly over a good deal of ground without +seeing either water or any traces of Stiles we rejoined the party +very much fatigued.</p> + +<p>THE MAN FOUND.</p> + +<p>For the next two and a half miles we wound along low, grassy, +swampy plains, thinly wooded with clumps of Acacias, and then +entered upon low scrubby plains bounding the sea-shore. I here +caught sight of Stiles just ahead of us and coming in from the +eastward: he was very glad once more to find himself in safety; +and his comrades seemed pleased to see him again, although many a +suppressed murmur had met my ears during our morning's walk at +the trouble I was taking to look for him.</p> + +<p>THE GREENOUGH RIVER.</p> + +<p>Four miles further over similar plains in a south by east +direction brought us to a river, about five-and-twenty yards +wide, which I named the Greenough; and travelling up it a short +distance we found a spot where we could cross by stepping from +rock to rock. Its waters were quite salt. I continued our route +for about three miles, when I found it was impossible to induce +some of the men to walk any further; they laid sullenly down and +were so fully convinced that I was pursuing a wrong system in +marching so far in a day, and never halting for two or three days +to refresh, as they wished, that I could do nothing with them, +and was therefore forced to sit down too. Corporal Auger soon +afterwards found water near us, and I moved the party down to +it.</p> + +<p>Finding water in some degree revived their spirits and I +contrived to get them to proceed seven miles more before +nightfall, the way being over sandy open plains very favourable +for walking.</p> + +<p>MORE NATIVE HUTS.</p> + +<p>We passed a large assemblage of native huts of the same +permanent character as those I have before mentioned: there were +two groups of those houses close together in a sequestered nook +in a wood, which taken collectively would have contained at least +a hundred and fifty natives. We halted for the night in the dry +bed of a watercourse, abounding in grass, so that we again +enjoyed the luxury of a soft bed. At first I thought that we were +near natives from hearing a plaintive cry like that of a child, +but Kaiber assured me that it was the cry of the young of the +wild turkey.</p> + +<p>CROSS THE HEADS OF TWO BAYS.</p> + +<p>In the course of this day we travelled across the heads of two +bays, which were indistinctly visible through the woods.</p> + +<p>FERTILE VALLEY.</p> + +<p>April 9.</p> + +<p>The first three miles of our route this day lay over sandy +scrubby plains; we saw however a good country to the eastward. I +found that a man of the name of Charley Woods was much knocked +up; he was a supporter of the eight or nine miles a day system, +and had a very heavy load with no portion of which could I induce +him to part; he however insisted on sitting down every half mile +and detaining the party, and as I found that they got more worn +out and weaker, and the impression in favour of long rests and +short marches became much stronger, I thought it more prudent to +acquiesce for the present.</p> + +<p>We now reached a very thick belt of trees, pushing through +which was a task of great difficulty, but at length we emerged +upon some clear hills overlooking a very extensive and fertile +valley, from which arose so dense a fog that portions of it +appeared to be a large lake. Into this valley we descended, and +the remainder of the day until near noon was spent by me in +endeavouring to get the men to move.</p> + +<p>THE IRWIN RIVER. AUSTRALIND.</p> + +<p>We this morning for the first time met with Zamia trees, and +about 12 P.M. came down upon the large sandy bed of a dried up +river which I named the Irwin after my friend Major Irwin, the +Commandant at Swan River; following this for half a mile we found +a native well, dug to a considerable depth in the bed, but all +our scraping here was vain. Water was found at a great depth, but +so shallow that we could not dip it up. Some of the men saw four +native boys playing in the grassy plains near us; directly +however the little fellows perceived us, they scampered off at +their utmost speed, and no doubt ever since that period they have +been firm believers in the existence of ghosts.</p> + +<p>The men now began to complain much of the want of water, and I +for some time followed the traces of these native boys, who had +come from the southward and eastward, in the hope that their +tracks would lead us to it, but the grumbling and discontent of +some of the men was so great that I found it almost impossible to +induce them to move. My object was to get them to walk to a high +peaked hill distant about five miles from us in a due south-east +direction, and under which I felt certain, from its height, that +we should find water, but I was obliged at last to give up this +idea: Charles Woods would not stir at all, and several of the men +followed his example; they laid down on the ground and no +inducement could prevail on them either to move or to abandon a +portion of their loads; and this obstinacy on their part was +accompanied in some instances with the most blasphemous and +horrid expressions. Indeed I could not conceal from myself the +fact of its being the general impression that my mode of +proceeding was "killing the men," and that consequently some of +them had arrived at the resolution of compelling me by their +conduct to adopt their favourite system of short marches and long +halts. But I was still aware of the disastrous consequences which +must necessarily result from such a mode of proceeding, and +determined to have nothing to do with it.</p> + +<p>In the course of the afternoon I managed to get the party to +move about a mile and a half in an easterly direction, but they +here again sat down and could neither be induced to walk or to +part with their bundles.</p> + +<p>SEARCH FOR WATER.</p> + +<p>As they had not tasted water today I selected the best +walkers, namely, Corporals Auger and Coles, Hackney, Henry Woods, +and Kaiber, and went off to look for some to bring to the rest. +We were now on a well-beaten native path which traversed a +fertile tract of country, and along this we continued our route, +walking as rapidly as we could, for night was coming on apace. +From this path we made frequent divergencies but found no water; +in one instance we met with a native well of great depth, where a +party of them had been drinking a few days before, but it was now +quite dry.</p> + +<p>FIND IT AT WATER PEAK. WATER PEAK HILL.</p> + +<p>We therefore continued our search, and just as it was growing +dark had made about seven miles of a circuitous course and found +ourselves at the foot of the high-peaked hill seen this morning, +named by me Water Peak. I still hurried along the native path, +and was so wrapped up in the thoughts of our present position +that I passed, without seeing it, a beautiful spring that rose to +within a few inches of the surface. Near this the natives had +built a small hut, covered with boughs, concealed in which they +might kill the birds and animals which came to drink at this lone +water; the keen eye of Coles in a moment detected the little +pool, and our thirst was soon assuaged.</p> + +<p>For a few minutes we lay on the bank of this clear spring, +resting our wearied limbs and admiring the scenery around us. +There is a something in the wild luxuriance of a totally new and +uncultivated country which words cannot convey to the inhabitant +of an old and civilized land, the rich and graceful forms of the +trees, the massy moss-grown trunks which cumber the soil, the +tree half uptorn by some furious gale and still remaining in the +falling posture in which the winds have left it, the drooping +disorder of dead and dying branches, the mingling of rich grasses +and useless weeds, all declare that here man knows not the +luxuries the soil can yield him: it was over such a scene, +rendered still more lovely by the falling shadows of night, that +our eyes now wandered.</p> + +<p>BENIGHTED IN RETURNING TO THE PARTY.</p> + +<p>I roused the men again and we commenced our return to the +party, loaded with a supply of water. It was now dark and we soon +wandered from the path. Kaiber took a star for his guide and led +us straight across the country; but our route lay through a +warran ground, full of holes, and in the darkness of the night we +every now and then had a tremendous tumble, so that at the end of +about four miles I thought that it would be imprudent to proceed +farther, as we every moment were in danger of breaking a limb or +seriously injuring ourselves. I therefore halted for the night, +and as we were unable to light a fire both on account of the +heavy dew and of having no proper materials with us, the first +portion of it passed wretchedly enough, indeed, weary as I was, I +found it necessary to walk about in order to preserve some slight +degree of warmth in my frame.</p> + +<p>At length however the men, who were much too cold to sleep, +got up and, renewing their efforts, succeeded in kindling a +blaze. Kaiber soon collected plenty of wood, and as I was unable +to sleep I passed the night in meditating on our present +state.</p> + +<p>POSITION AND PROSPECTS.</p> + +<p>I felt sure that if the men persisted in their resolution of +moving slowly a lingering and dreadful death awaited us all; yet +my opinion was a solitary one. Mr. Walker had in many instances +plainly and publicly shown that he on this point differed with +me; and he was a medical man, and one who certainly never shrank +from any danger or toil which he thought it his duty to +encounter. The most therefore I could say against those who were +opposed to my system of moving was that I conceived them to be +guilty of a grievous error in judgment; but it was not until our +separate opinions had been tested by the future that it could be +definitely pronounced who was right. Nevertheless those who have +been much with men compelled to make long marches cannot fail to +have remarked how readily and foolishly they find excuses to +enable them to obtain a halt, and such persons would probably +have agreed with me in suspecting that natural indolence of +disposition, strengthened by fatigue and privation, might induce +men to adopt, without a very strict investigation, any opinion +falling in with their immediate feelings of feebleness.</p> + +<p>Being firmly convinced that these men intended to pursue a +plan of operations which would entail great misery both upon +themselves and the others, I considered that I ought undoubtedly +to endeavour to save them from the danger which I foresaw +impending over them; and this could only be accomplished by my +making forced marches to Perth and sending out supplies to meet +them before they were reduced to the last extremities. Had I +foreseen a week ago that I should be compelled eventually to +adopt such a step I would then have taken with me all such as +were willing to march and have left the others; but this time had +passed. My movement to Perth must now be accomplished with the +greatest expedition or it would be useless; and to take anyone +with me who was so much reduced as to have delayed, impeded, or +perhaps altogether to have arrested our progress, would have +sacrificed the lives of all.</p> + +<p><a name="chapter3"></a></p> + +<h2>CHAPTER 3. FROM WATER PEAK TO GAIRDNER'S RANGE.</h2> + +<p>RETURN TO THE PARTY.</p> + +<p>April 10.</p> + +<p>The morning's dawn found us in the vicinity of our comrades, +and, just as the thick grey mists began heavily to ascend from +the low plains on which I had left the party, we emerged from the +bush upon the native path down which we had travelled the +preceding evening; here I turned northward, and a few minutes +more placed the party in our view. Some of them were missing. I +felt alarmed lest a new misfortune had happened and, hurrying on, +eagerly asked where they were. The answer given will describe +more truly their position than the most minute detail could do; +it was: "They are just gone into the bush to suck grass, Sir." +This semblance of extreme thirst must however, I suspect, have +been in some measure a piece of affectation upon their parts, for +upon the morning of the day before they had had a plentiful +supply of water: whether however their extreme sufferings were +true or feigned mattered not, we fully supplied their wants; and +then I immediately ordered preparations to be made for our +further progress.</p> + +<p>We moved on in the direction of the spring of water which lay +about half a mile to the eastward of our true line of route. Our +movements were soon again delayed by Woods, who began as usual to +lie down and declare his inability to proceed any further.</p> + +<p>DELAYS CAUSED BY USELESS BAGGAGE. DESTRUCTION OF USELESS +BAGGAGE.</p> + +<p>I desired him to leave behind the heavy load he was carrying; +but as upon former occasions he again declared his determination +to die rather than part with this mysterious bundle, which +appeared to possess an extraordinary value in his estimation. It +was easy to see from his appearance that he was now really ill +and unable to carry such a weight as he was striving to do. At +length he again laid himself down, declaring that he was dying, +and, as I determined no longer to see his life endangered by his +so obstinately insisting on carrying this bundle, I took it up, +and, informing him of my intention to pay him the full value of +any property of his that I might destroy, I proceeded to open it +with the intention of throwing all useless articles away.</p> + +<p>Upon this announcement of mine he burst into tears, deplored +alternately his dying state and the loss of the bundle, and then +poured forth a torrent of invectives against me, in the midst of +which I quietly went on unfolding the treasured parcel and +exposing to view the following articles: Three yards of thick +heavy canvas; some duck which he had purloined; a large roll of +sewing thread, ditto; a thick pea jacket which I had abandoned at +the boats, and had, at his request, given to him; and various +other old pieces of canvas and duck; also a great part of the +cordage of one of the boats, which he had taken without +permission.</p> + +<p>When these various articles were produced it was difficult to +tell which was the prevailing sentiment in the minds of some of +the party--mirth at thus seeing the contents of the mysterious +bundle exposed, or indignation that a man should have been so +foolish as to endanger his own life and delay our movements for +the sake of such a collection of trash. A pair of shoes and one +or two useful articles were retained, the remainder were thrown +away, and in a few minutes we were again under weigh for the +spring of water.</p> + +<p>HALT AT WATER PEAK.</p> + +<p>Another hour's march brought us to the spring; and those who +with me had been marching through a great part of the night +gladly laid down to rest; but I soon roused myself again, being +urged by the pangs of hunger. Fortunately I had shot a crow in +the morning, and now, gathering a few wild greens that grew about +the water, I cooked a breakfast for myself and the native without +being obliged to draw upon my little store of flour. This frugal +repast having been washed down by a few mouthfuls of water, I +resumed my meditations of the previous night.</p> + +<p>CRITICAL SITUATION.</p> + +<p>The following appeared to be our true position. We were about +one hundred and ninety miles from Perth, in a direct line +measured through the air. None of the party had more than six or +seven pounds of flour left; whilst I had myself but one pound and +a half, and half a pound of arrowroot; the native had nothing +left and was wholly dependant on me for his subsistence. Now we +had been seven days on our route, and had made but little more +than seventy miles, and as the men were much weaker than when +they first started it appeared to me to be extremely +problematical whether we should ever reach Perth unless some plan +different from what we had hitherto pursued was adopted. And even +granting that we did eventually make this point, it was evident +that we must previously be subjected to wants and necessities of +the most cruel and distressing nature.</p> + +<p>NEW PLAN OF PROCEEDING.</p> + +<p>Yet it was quite manifest from recent events that the majority +of the party had not only made up their minds not to accelerate +their movements, but had fully resolved to compel me to pursue +their system of short marches and long halts. Being fully aware +of the danger which threatened them, it remained for me to act +with that decision which circumstances appeared to require, and +to proceed by rapid and forced marches to Perth, whence +assistance could be sent out to the remainder. For this purpose +it was necessary that all those who accompanied me should be good +walkers and resolute men; for if any accident happened to the +portion of the party I took with me, arising either from want of +energy, want of discipline, or any other causes, that portion of +the party which remained behind would have been reduced to the +last extremity.</p> + +<p>DIVIDE THE PARTY, AND PROCEED WITH THE STRONGEST TO PERTH FOR +ASSISTANCE. ARRANGEMENTS AT STARTING.</p> + +<p>Having formed this resolution, it became necessary to make a +selection of those who were to accompany me. In determining +however upon this point I had but little difficulty; for it was +evident that those men who during our late toils had shown +themselves the most capable of enduring hardships, privations, +and the fatigue of long and rapid marches, were those who were +the best suited for the service I now destined them for. The +following was the division I made of the party: I named:</p> + +<p>Corporal Auger, Corporal Coles, H. Woods, W. Hackney, Kaiber, +the native,</p> + +<p>as those who were to accompany me, and left the remainder +under the command of Mr. Walker.</p> + +<p>EMBARRASSMENT REGARDING THE CHART.</p> + +<p>In making my arrangements with Mr. Walker a very serious +difficulty arose upon his part, and one from which I immediately +augured the worst of consequences. On quitting the boats I +brought away with me Captain King's chart of the coast between +North-west Cape and Cape Leeuwin, and had hitherto carried it +along with my papers and sketches. I wished Mr. Walker to take +this chart with him for the purpose of recognising his position +by means of the islands and headlands as he advanced along the +coast. No inducements upon my part could however persuade him to +take charge of it. It was in vain that I urged on him the well +known fact that nothing encourages men in a long journey so much +as knowing the exact distance they have travelled and what extent +of country they have still left to traverse. It was in vain that +I assured him he would, from his inexperience in calculating +distances in the bush, soon get confused in his reckoning; and +that the men, finding out his error, would lose all trust and +confidence in him, whence would spring want of discipline and +disorders of various kinds; he knew that I much valued this chart +and had apparently taken it into his head that I wished to +disencumber myself of it and to entail the duty of carrying it on +him.</p> + +<p>He at length proposed to me to allow him to cut the chart up, +in which case he said he would carry on the part he wanted and +leave the rest. I would not however part with so valuable a +document, for it contained my route up to that point, and the +public utility of the expedition mainly depended on the +preservation of it. He next requested me to make a copy of it for +him; this I assured him under existing circumstances it was +utterly impossible for me to do with sufficient accuracy to +answer the intended purpose, and I therefore would not attempt +it. He then applied to Mr. Smith, who coincided in my opinion; +but ever willing to oblige he made as accurate a copy as he +could, which I in vain represented to Mr. Walker he would find +utterly useless. His unreasonable reluctance however I could not +overcome.</p> + +<p>POINT OF RENDEZVOUS FIXED.</p> + +<p>The next matter to arrange was what place should be fixed on +as the point of rendezvous to which assistance was to be sent to +those who were left to follow with Mr. Walker. This was soon +arranged. Mr. Smith had previously been with me to a place called +Goonmarrarup, on the Moore River about fifty-five miles to the +north of Perth; and it was agreed that the party should proceed +along the coast as they best could until they made the Moore +River, where I would have another party stationed with provisions +to meet them; and in order that they might not pass this river it +was settled that the party who went out to meet them should +separate into two, one of which would remain at this point on the +Moore River, about twelve miles from the sea, whilst the other +was to proceed down to it, leaving, besides their tracks, marks +to show where they had passed; and then, in the event of not +finding those they were in search of, this last detachment was to +push still further northward to look for them.</p> + +<p>As soon as the arrangements were concluded I assembled the men +and publicly repeated these directions to them; and to such as +Clotworthy I addressed strong admonitions as to their future +conduct. Many of them did not appear to be in the least aware of +the critical situation they were placed in; I however entertained +great fears for the safety of some of them. Poor Smith was at +this time in a very delicate state of health, and his courage and +gentleness had so endeared him to me that the sight of his sickly +face made me long to be on the march to send out help to him. For +Mr. Walker I had no fear; I have never known anyone endowed with +a greater degree of patient endurance; indeed had he not, from a +mistaken good nature, been too familiar with the men, no one +could have been more admirably adapted for the trying position in +which he was placed; and even as events turned out I doubt if +anyone could have been found who would have endured more, or +would have gone through greater exertions to save those under his +command.</p> + +<p>The party I left, and who were not required to proceed by +forced marches, consisted of:</p> + +<p>Mr. Walker,<br> +Mr. Smith,<br> +Thomas Ruston,<br> +C. Woods,<br> +T. Stiles,<br> +A. Clotworthy.</p> + +<p>SEPARATION OF THE PARTY. ADVICE TO THOSE LEFT BEHIND.</p> + +<p>Before parting with Mr. Walker and Mr. Smith I again urged +them to push steadily onwards and never to idle for an instant; +but I do not think that either of them were fully aware of the +dangers they had to contend with. Poor Smith, as he squeezed my +hand, begged me to send out a horse for him, if one could be +procured, and also some tobacco; he said the only thing he +dreaded was want of water.</p> + +<p>Mr. Walker smiled and told me to look out for myself that he +was not in Perth before me, and several others seemed to +participate in his feeling and to regard my plan of proceeding as +the height of folly.</p> + +<p>I left with Mr. Walker's party everything that was really +useful, such as the cooking saucepan and the only hatchet we had. +These were very valuable to them, for had they come into a +grass-tree country they might have subsisted for a long time upon +the tops of these trees, as Mr. Elliott did upon a former +occasion; for he together with two men lived upon them for +fourteen days. This very useful implement they however threw away +the second day after we parted. We also left them all the +fishing-hooks.</p> + +<p>Mr. Walker's party instantly commenced on the system of +halting, and instead of moving on in the afternoon remained where +they were that day for the purpose of resting themselves.</p> + +<p>The country we travelled over for the first two miles was +pretty good, being a series of grassy plains. At this point we +came to a belt of thick wood which we found exceedingly difficult +to traverse. We then continued our south by east course for four +miles further over undulating sandy downs, and halted for the +night in a small clump of Banksia trees which afforded plenty of +wood for our fires.</p> + +<p>April 11.</p> + +<p>About an hour before daylight I roused the party, and as soon +as it was light enough to distinguish the surrounding objects we +started. Our route lay along a series of undulating sandy hills +which sloped down to a fertile plain, four or five miles in +width, on the western side of which rose a low range of dunes, +and beyond these was the sea. We found the walking along these +hills very difficult on account of the prickly scrub with which +they were covered, and the general appearance of the country to +the eastward was barren and unpromising.</p> + +<p>COURSE IMPEDED BY A THICK WOOD.</p> + +<p>The course I pursued was about south by east, but we soon +found ourselves embarrassed in thick woods through which it was +almost impossible to force a way: the trees were not large but so +matted together that it required my utmost exertions to prevail +upon the men to persist in pushing through them, indeed it will +afterwards be found that these woods had a most disastrous effect +upon the spirits of that portion of the party which followed me. +It was however absolutely necessary to make our way through one +of these which formed a belt of nearly a mile in width, running +almost east and west as far as the eye could see in each +direction.</p> + +<p>I therefore gave a bold plunge into the bushes, followed by +the native and slowly by the other men, who kept alternately +groaning from fatigue and pain and uttering imprecations against +the country they were in. Having cleared this wood I turned +rather more inland, and we pursued our route over barren scrubby +plains, and, after having travelled about fifteen miles over this +uninteresting description of country, we suddenly found ourselves +on the top of a low range which overlooked a most luxuriant +valley of about three miles in width, its general direction +appearing to be from the east-south-east.</p> + +<p>THE ARROWSMITH RIVER.</p> + +<p>I immediately knew from the appearance of the country that we +were near some large river; and whilst descending into the valley +I indulged in speculations as to the size of that we were about +to discover, and as to whether Providence would grant me once +again to drink a draught of cool river water.</p> + +<p>I soon however began to fear that my expectations were to be +disappointed. We had already proceeded more than two miles of the +distance across the valley; and although the soil was rich and +good we had yet seen nothing but dry watercourses, inconsiderable +in themselves yet apparently when united forming a large river. I +still however entertained hopes of finding water, for I saw +numerous tracks of natives about, and the whole of this valley +was an extensive warran ground in which they had that very +morning been digging for their favourite root.</p> + +<p>At length, just as my patience began to wear out, we ascended, +out of a dry watercourse, a rise rather more elevated than the +others we had met with in crossing the valley; and from the +summit of this a curious sight met our view: beneath us lay the +dry bed of a large river, its depth at this point being between +forty and fifty feet, and its breadth upwards of three hundred +yards; it was at times subject to terrific inundations; for along +its banks lay the trunks of immense trees, giants of the forest +which had been washed down from the interior in the season of the +floods; yet nothing now met our craving eyes but a vast sandy +channel which scorched our eyeballs as the rays of the sun were +reflected back from its white glistening bed.</p> + +<p>WATER FOUND IN IT BY DIGGING.</p> + +<p>I picked out the most shady spot I could for the men to halt +at, then descended into the bed of the river to search, with the +native, for water; and immediately on scraping a hole a few +inches deep in the bed of the river the water came streaming into +it, for the sand composing the bottom of the watercourse was +completely saturated, and I afterwards found that there were +large pools of it immediately above and below where we were.</p> + +<p>The wants of the men having been thus supplied I determined, +as it was intensely hot, to halt for an hour or two; we each of +us therefore ate a little doughboy, or piece of damper, and the +men then lay down to rest. As I sat musing alone the first +thought that struck me was how providentially it happened that we +had not fallen in with this river in the season of the floods, as +our crossing it then would have been utterly impossible.</p> + +<p>APPROACH OF NATIVES TO THE RIVER.</p> + +<p>But my reveries were soon disturbed by hearing the call of a +native from the opposite bank, and I roused up poor Kaiber from +his sleep that he might ascertain what was going on upon the +other side. His quick eyes soon detected natives moving about +amongst the bushes; but on farther examination he ascertained +that there was only one man, who walked as if he had been +wounded, the rest of the party being made up of women and +children, who were digging for roots. They were quite unconscious +of our presence, and we lay snugly behind a bush, watching all +their movements. As soon as they had dug a sufficient quantity of +roots for their purpose they descended to the bed of the river +and walked up to a pool about one hundred yards above our +position, where they all drank and then sat down to cook their +roots. I ordered the men to keep themselves as quiet as possible +so that we in no way disturbed these poor creatures; and when at +length the party moved off we passed them in a diagonal direction +so as to give them an opportunity of seeing us without +frightening them. When first we emerged into view they began to +run away; but when they saw that we still moved steadily on +without noticing them they were no longer alarmed, but stood +still, gazing at us with the greatest wonder and amazement; the +youngest children standing behind their mothers, peeping +cautiously out at us; and many a strange thought must have passed +through the breasts of these natives as they saw us wind in +regular order up the opposite hill. This tribe was the most +northern one that I had seen wear the kangaroo-skin cloak.</p> + +<p>Another mile and a half in a south by east direction brought +us to a low range to the south of this river, which I named the +Arrowsmith River after Mr. John Arrowsmith, the distinguished +geographer. From this range we had a fine view of the rich +valleys drained by this important stream.</p> + +<p>MOUNT HORNER.</p> + +<p>These valleys ran nearly north and south between the interior +range and the sandy limestone range parallel to the coast on +which we now were; but the river must also, of course, from its +magnitude, penetrate the interior range, which was only distant +about sixteen miles from us. A very remarkable peak in the +latter, which bore east-north-east from this point, I named Mount +Horner, after my friend Leonard Horner, Esquire.</p> + +<p>It appears from the report of the party who came along the +coast that this river loses itself in a large lake, between which +and the sea a great bar of dry sand intervenes in the dry season; +there is however a very fair proportion of good country in the +neighbourhood of the Arrowsmith.</p> + +<p>In the course of the evening we travelled six and a half miles +further in a south-south-east direction, over barren, sandy, +scrubby plains, which extended on all sides as far as the eye +could see, and even the interior range appeared to be perfectly +bare. Towards nightfall we were all quite worn out from the +difficulty we had experienced in walking through the prickly +scrub, yet I could see no place that afforded sufficient wood to +enable us to make a fire and, as most of us had no covering with +us, and the nights were intensely cold, we had every prospect of +passing a most wretched one; but at length I spied two clumps of +Banksia trees, the nearest of which we just reached as it became +quite dark. The other clump was about a quarter of a mile to the +eastward of us, at which I soon distinguished native fires; as +the men were however much exhausted I thought it better not to +mention this circumstance to them, and Kaiber and myself, who +always slept at a little fire alone, kept a good look out during +the night.</p> + +<p>This evening we found the Bohn or Boh-rne, a native esculent +root, and it is the most northern point at which I have met with +it.*</p> + +<blockquote>(*Footnote. A small red root somewhat resembling in +flavour a mild onion.)</blockquote> + +<p>April 12.</p> + +<p>Before dawn this morning our native neighbours, who doubtless +were not pleased at our sleeping so near them, began to cooee to +each other, which is their usual signal for collecting their +forces; and, as our safety depended upon none of the party being +incapacitated by a wound or other cause from proceeding with the +utmost rapidity, I at once roused the men and we resumed our +way.</p> + +<p>CONTINUE OUR ROUTE.</p> + +<p>In the course of the day we made a march of twenty-five miles +in a south-south-east direction, the whole of this distance being +across elevated undulating sandy plains, covered with a thick +prickly scrub, about two and a half feet high; these plains were +however occasionally studded with a few Banksia trees, but +anything more dark, cheerless, and barren than their general +appearance can scarcely be conceived.</p> + +<p>About half an hour before sunset we came to the bed of a dry +watercourse, the direction of which was from south-east to north, +so that it was probably a tributary of the Arrowsmith. We were +fortunate enough to find a small pool of water in it, yet the +large flights of birds of every description that came here for +the purpose of drinking showed the rarity of water in these +parts. We made several attempts to get a shot at them but they +were so wild, and we were so worn out and weak, that all our +exertions were unsuccessful. In the course of the evening one of +the men made up my last pound of flour into a damper for me, and +I supped on a spoonful of arrowroot.</p> + +<p>SERIOUS ROBBBRY BY A RAT.</p> + +<p>April 13.</p> + +<p>On waking up this morning I found that in the night a rat had +gnawed a hole in the canvas bag in which my little damper was +placed, and had eaten more than half of it; this was a very +serious misfortune as all my provisions were now reduced to three +table-spoonfuls of arrowroot and the morsel of damper left me by +the rat. As I had shared my provisions with the native my +situation was far worse than that of any of the others, and he, +poor fellow, had become so dispirited and weak that he was +incapable of searching for his food. Indeed the productions of +the country through which he had hitherto passed were so +different from those of the one in which he had lived that the +various kinds of roots and vegetables were, with one or two +exceptions, quite unknown to him.</p> + +<p>We made a very good march of it this morning, having travelled +nineteen miles in a nearly south direction before 12 o'clock. +Soon after starting we sighted Mount Perron, distant about two +and twenty miles and, seen over the waste and barren plains which +surrounded us, it was a very remarkable object.</p> + +<p>We halted at noon for about two hours, during which time I +made my breakfast with Kaiber, sharing my remaining portion of +damper between us. It was almost a satisfaction to me when it was +gone, for, tormented by the pangs of hunger, as I had now been +for many days, I found that nearly the whole of my time was +passed in struggling with myself as to whether I should eat at +once all the provisions I had left or refrain till a future hour. +Having completed this last morsel I occupied myself for a little +with my journal, then read a few chapters in the New Testament +and, having fulfilled these duties, I felt myself as contented +and cheerful as I had ever been in the most fortunate moments of +my life.</p> + +<p>GAIRDNER'S RANGE.</p> + +<p>Soon after two P.M. we resumed our journey, travelling for +about eight miles in a due south direction over plains similar to +those we had passed yesterday and this morning, and then began to +ascend a red sandstone range of the same description as the Perth +ironstone and thinly studded with black bay trees. I named this +range Gairdner's Range after my friend Gordon Gairdner, Esquire, +of the Colonial Office and, after continuing a gradual ascent for +about four miles, I found that we were in the neighbourhood of a +forest, at the outskirts of which I chose a spot for our +halting-place, which afforded plenty of firewood but was +deficient in water. As we had now however marched thirty-one +miles without seeing water, and were all perfectly worn out, I +judged it more prudent to halt where we were.</p> + +<p>FIND SOME EDIBLE ZAMIA NUTS.</p> + +<p>Kaiber here brought in some of the nuts of the Zamia tree; +they were dry and therefore in a fit state to eat. I accordingly +shared them amongst the party. Several of the men then straggled +off to look for more, and were imprudent enough, before I found +out what they were doing, to eat several of the nuts which were +not sufficiently dried, the consequences of which were that they +were seized with violent fits of vomiting accompanied by vertigo +and other distressing symptoms; these however gradually abated +during the night, and in the morning, although rendered more weak +than they were before, the poor fellows were still able to resume +their march.</p> + +<p>GENEROUS CONDUCT OF ONE OF THE MEN.</p> + +<p>Soon after the fires had been lighted I was sitting alone by +mine, as the shadows of night were just falling over the wild +hilly scenery with which we were surrounded; I had no water to +cook a portion of the three spoonfuls of arrowroot yet left me, +and I saw each of the others preparing his scanty portion of +food. The native had at this time gone away to look for Zamia +nuts, and it may be imagined that many almost undefined feelings +at such a time thronged rapidly through my mind. Whilst thus +thinking I heard Hackney propose to Woods to offer me a share of +their little store of food: "No," said Woods; "everyone for +himself under these circumstances; let Mr. Grey do as well as he +can and I will do the same." "Well then I shall give him some of +mine at all events," said Hackney; and a few minutes afterwards +he came up to my fire and pressed me to accept a morsel of damper +about the size of a walnut. I hesitated at first whether to do so +or not, but, being aware that when we came into a country where +game was to be found I could, by means of my gun, provide enough +amply to repay this lad, I took it, after several refusals and +having it as often warmly pressed upon me.</p> + +<p>I was much affected by the kindness of Hackney, who was a +young American; and I regret to add that I felt more hurt than I +ought to have done at the remark of Woods.</p> + +<p><a name="chapter4"></a></p> + +<h2>CHAPTER 4. FROM GAIRDNER'S RANGE TO PERTH.</h2> + +<p>THE HILL RIVER.</p> + +<p>Sunday April 14.</p> + +<p>We travelled about fourteen miles due south over a range of +high ironstone hills which were occasionally clothed with +grass-trees. The scrub was however still thick, prickly, and very +difficult to penetrate; the heat was intense and the whole party +were getting very weak. About noon, and when we had just gained a +commanding summit, I looked back at Mount Perron, now several +miles in our rear; from this point we began to descend into an +extensive valley, and at the end of fourteen miles reached a +small river which I named the Hill.</p> + +<p>DISCOVERY AND PILLAGE OF A NATIVE PROVISION STORE.</p> + +<p>We halted at the first pool we came to and the men, who had a +little flour left, boiled two tablespoonfuls of this in about a +pint and a half of water, thus making what they called soup. In +the meantime Kaiber came in and told me that he had found some +holes in which the natives had, according to their custom, buried +a store of By-yu nuts,* and he at the same time requested +permission to steal them.</p> + +<blockquote>(*Footnote. The nut of the Zamia tree.)</blockquote> + +<p>I reflected for some time on his proposal; I was reluctant to +mark the first approach of civilized man to this country of a +savage race by an unprovoked act of pillage and robbery; yet we +were now in the desert, on the point of perishing for want of +food, the pangs of hunger gnawing us even in our very sleep, and +with the means of temporary relief at hand. I asked myself if I +should be acting justly or humanely by the others, whose lives +were at stake if I allowed them to pass by the store, which +seemed providentially offered to us, without pointing it out.</p> + +<p>In my perplexity I turned to Kaiber: his answer was, "If we +take all, this people will be angered greatly; they will say, +'What thief has stolen here: track his footsteps, spear him +through the heart; wherefore has he stolen our hidden food?' But +if we take what is buried in one hole they will say, 'Hungry +people have been here; they were very empty, and now their +bellies are full; they may be sorcerers; now they will not eat us +as we sleep.'" Good, it is good, Kaiber," I replied; "come with +me and we will rob one hole." And accordingly we went and took +the contents of one, leaving three others undisturbed. I brought +back these nuts to the men and we shared them amongst us.</p> + +<p>We were so weary that we did not start until late in the +afternoon, and then travelled south by east down the course of +the river, making about six miles. It was joined by many small +tributaries and now became a running stream flowing through a +deep grassy valley in which were many large flats. In the course +of the afternoon some of the men had a shot at a native dog; he +was a fine fat fellow; but they were unsuccessful and never did I +feel more disappointed than when I saw him cantering away +desperately frightened but perfectly uninjured. I was +sufficiently fortunate to shoot a hawk just before nightfall, and +we then halted by the side of the river, lighted our fires, and +laid down to sleep.</p> + +<p>April 15.</p> + +<p>In the course of the night I had cooked the hawk which I shot +yesterday and before starting divided it as follows: I gave the +head, entrails, and shanks to the native; then cutting the +residue in half I gave one part to Hackney, who had so generously +shared his morsel of damper with me, and kept the remaining +portion for myself. Poor Hackney's wan and wasted countenance +glowed with pleasure when this acceptable gift was placed in his +hands, and I felt no slight degree of satisfaction in having an +opportunity of showing him that I felt grateful for his act of +generosity to me.</p> + +<p>We now followed the course of the river for about two miles +further and saw a considerable quantity of good land along its +banks, clothed with feed for stock; but I cannot tell how far +back this extends.</p> + +<p>The river now ran away nearly due west under a low range of +hills; and still adhering to my original plan I quitted its banks +and continued my course straight for Perth, travelling in a south +by east direction. The next two and a half miles led us to the +top of a low range. The whole tract of country between this point +and the river was arid and barren in the extreme, being devoid of +all vegetation but a stunted prickly scrub, and on it we saw no +signs either of animal life or water. We here for the first time +since quitting Moresby's Flat-topped Range saw that the one to +the east of us became well wooded, the interval between these two +points having been completely bare of trees.</p> + +<p>BARREN COUNTRY.</p> + +<p>I now halted for about an hour and a half to rest the wearied +men, and then again commenced our route over this barren waste. +For the next twelve miles we travelled down a gentle descent +leading to a very deep valley, and late in the evening reached +some dried up swamps where we made an ineffectual search for +water; we however saw here some parakeets, and I was lucky enough +to kill one which was about the size of a thrush; several of the +men also got shots at these little birds, but without success. As +the day had been intensely hot and we had tasted no water since +morning we suffered a great deal from want of it, but were at +length compelled by darkness to lie down to rest without finding +any.</p> + +<p>DRY BED OF THE SMITH RIVER.</p> + +<p>April 16.</p> + +<p>We had not travelled above two miles this morning in an +east-south-east direction when I found that we had reached the +bottom of the valley into which we had yesterday evening +commenced our descent. In this valley lay the dried up bed of a +considerable stream, which I have named the Smith after my +unfortunate friend. Its direction was from north-east to +south.</p> + +<p>LONG AND UTTER DESTITUTION OF FOOD AND WATER. SUFFERINGS FROM +THIRST.</p> + +<p>As we were now suffering a good deal from thirst we made a +search in both directions along the bed, but although there were +many pools (some of them being twelve or fourteen feet deep) we +could not find the slightest indication of water having stood in +them for a considerable time: in the bottom of one of the deepest +of these pools was a native well, dug to the depth of about seven +feet, but even at this distance below the surface we could see no +signs whatever of water. There was much good land in the valley +through which this watercourse wound, but all was barren and +arid. In the course of the morning we had seen a flight of +cockatoos coming from the eastward down the valley in which the +bed of the river lay, which at the time made me imagine that +water would be found in that direction in the interior, and the +natives subsequently stated that such was the case, but our +circumstances would not admit such a deviation from our course in +a search which if unsuccessful would have proved fatal.</p> + +<p>DISTRESSING SEARCH FOR WATER.</p> + +<p>The sun had by this time become intensely hot, and the poor +fellows grew faint for want of water, whilst it aggravated their +sufferings that they stood upon the brink of a river, or wandered +along its banks with eager piercing eyes, and an air of intense +scrutinizing watchfulness peculiar to those who search for that +on which their lives depend. One while they explored a shallow +stony part of the bed, which was parched up and blackened by the +fiery sun; their steps were slow and listless, and I could +plainly see how faint, weak, and weary they were; the next minute +another pool would be discerned ahead, the depth of which the eye +could not at a distance reach; now they hurried on towards it +with a dreadful look of eager anxiety, the pool was reached, the +bottom seen, but, alas! no water; then they paused and looked one +at the other with an air of utter despair. As long as they +remained on the banks of this river bed a glimmering of hope +remained; but I felt convinced from the general appearance of the +country that there was not the slightest probability of our +finding water there, and resolved therefore still to continue a +direct route. When I gave this order the weak-minded quailed +before it: they would rather have perished in wandering up and +down those arid and inhospitable banks than have made a great +effort and have torn themselves away from the vain and delusive +hopes this watercourse held out to them.</p> + +<p>With great pain I witnessed and bore my part in this +distressing scene, but I at the moment felt that it would be +necessary to save my energies for other occasions; suspecting +that we were in a great tract of desert country, a large portion +of which must still be passed ere we could hope for any +alleviation from our sufferings; and I therefore at once +commenced carrying into execution the order I had given, by +walking on in a south by east direction. In about two miles we +had gained the summit of the low range which bounded to the +southward the valley where we had so vainly searched for water, +and for the next ten miles we travelled over elevated sandy +barren plains, thinly wooded with occasional clumps of Banksia +trees.</p> + +<p>DRY TEA-TREE SWAMP.</p> + +<p>On our left was a lofty and well wooded range, distant only +about four miles, and on our right lay extensive plains, the +western extremity of which, distant about sixteen miles from us, +was by the sea; these plains appeared tolerably fertile, being +covered with tea-tree swamps, now apparently dried up. I still +was led on by the hope, raised by the height of the range on our +left, that we might find water issuing from it towards the coast, +and had therefore not searched the plains which lay between us +and the sea, indeed I felt fully convinced that the swamps we saw +were all perfectly dry and the native coincided in my opinion; +about an hour before sunset however we descended towards the +plains, and turning due west we reached them in about half an +hour, but found all the swamps quite destitute of water. As soon +as it became dark I lit my fire and laid down by it, advising the +others to pursue the same course and to preserve their energies +for the morrow. But such advice was thrown away upon men almost +perishing with thirst, and every now and then throughout the +night I heard their weak husky voices as they wandered from swamp +to swamp in the neighbourhood, digging holes with pointed sticks +in a vain search.</p> + +<p>NATIVE SONGS.</p> + +<p>Poor Kaiber alone lay crouching by my fire, occasionally +feeding it with fresh fuel and chanting to himself these two +songs, in his own language:</p> + +<p>Thither, mother oh, I return again,<br> +Thither oh, I return again.</p> + +<p>The other had been sung by the mother of Miago, a native who +had accompanied Captain Wickham in the Beagle from the Swan +River, and it had made a great impression on the natives.</p> + +<p>Whither does that lone ship wander,<br> +My young son I shall never see again.<br> +Whither does that lone ship wander.</p> + +<p>EXTREME FEEBLENESS OF THE PARTY.</p> + +<p>The night wore heavily on; sleepless sufferers were around me, +and I myself began to feel very anxious as to what the next day +might bring. The men had now been already one night and two days +without tasting a single drop of water or food of any kind +whatever, for as the only provisions they had left was a spoonful +or two of flour each it was impossible for them to cook this +without water; indeed only two of them had even this small supply +of flour left, and the rest were wholly destitute.</p> + +<p>I personally suffered far less than any of the others with the +exception of the native, and this for several reasons. In the +first place I had been long accustomed to subsist on a very small +quantity of water, and secondly I had always kept my mind +occupied and amused instead of giving way to desponding or gloomy +thoughts. When we halted and the others laid wearily down, +brooding over their melancholy situation, I employed myself in +writing up my journal, which was most scrupulously kept; and this +duty being concluded I had recourse to a small New Testament, my +companion throughout all my wanderings, and from this latter I +drank in such deep draughts of comfort that my spirits were +always good.</p> + +<p>DANGER OF PERISHING FOR WANT OF WATER.</p> + +<p>April 17.</p> + +<p>About an hour and a half before dawn we started in a south by +east direction, the native leading the way, for it was yet too +dark for me to select points to march upon. As we moved along we +moistened our mouths by sucking a few drops of dew from the +shrubs and reeds, but even this miserable resource failed us +almost immediately after sunrise. The men were so worn out from +fatigue and want of food and water that I could get them but a +few hundred yards at a time, then some one of them would sit down +and beg me so earnestly to stop for a few minutes that I could +not refuse acceding to the request; when however I thus halted +the native in every instance expressed his indignation, telling +me that it was sacrificing his safety as well as those of the +others who were able to move, for that if we did not find water +ere night the whole party would die. He was indeed as weak from +want of food as any of us, for we had made such rapid and lengthy +marches in the hope of speedily forwarding assistance to those +left behind that when we came at night to the conclusion of our +day's journey Kaiber was too much exhausted to think of looking +for food.</p> + +<p>About two o'clock in the afternoon the men were so completely +exhausted that it was impossible to induce them to move, and at +this period I found that we had only made about eight miles in a +south by east direction, over plains studded with small sandy +hills and the beds of dried up tea-tree swamps.</p> + +<p>When I halted the sun was intensely powerful; the groans and +exclamations of some of the men were painful in the extreme; but +my feelings were still more agonized when I saw the poor +creatures driven, by the want of water, to drink their own ----, +the last sad and revolting resource of thirst!</p> + +<p>UNSUCCESSFUL SEARCH FOR WATER WITH KAIBER.</p> + +<p>Unable to bear these distressing scenes any longer I ordered +Kaiber to accompany me, and notwithstanding the heat and my own +weariness I left the others lying down in such slight shade as +the stunted banksias afforded, and throwing aside all my +ammunition, papers, etc., started with him in search of water, +carrying nothing but my double-barrelled gun. We proceeded +towards the sea. As the natives have the faculty, even in the +trackless woods which they have never before been in, of +returning direct to any spot they have left by however circuitous +a course they may have travelled after quitting it, I paid no +attention to the direction we were moving in but followed Kaiber, +who roamed from spot to spot in the vain search of water; but we +found not a drop. The same arid barren country seemed spread on +every side; and when at length I began occasionally to stumble +and fall from weakness hope abandoned me, and I determined to +return direct to my comrades and get them to make one more effort +to proceed and search for it in a southerly direction.</p> + +<p>TREACHEROUS INTENTIONS OF KAIBER, THE NATIVE.</p> + +<p>I therefore told Kaiber that such was my intention, and +directed him to guide me to the party. With apparent alacrity he +obeyed my orders; but after leading me about some time in an +extraordinary manner he told me that he had lost his way and +could not find them. His look was so very plausible when he said +this, and he seemed so grieved at the circumstance, that for a +moment I believed his tale; but I felt convinced that we could +not be at any very great distance from them and therefore fired +one barrel of my gun; the echo of this sound, never heard in +these solitudes before, rang loudly through the woods, remoter +distances caught it up, and at length it gradually died away: +anxiously did I now listen for a repetition of the report, for I +knew, were they within hearing, the men would instantly fire +again to acknowledge the signal I had made; but minute after +minute passed on and no answering signal struck my ear. I sat +down and applied my ear to the ground; every sense became +absorbed in the single one of hearing, but not the remotest sound +that I could distinguish broke the frightful solitude of these +vast woods. I remained seated on the ground for a few minutes, +still hearing no answer to my shot, till the conviction gradually +forced itself on my mind that the native had been leading me +astray. Only two cases could have occurred: either he had done so +purposely, for he could not, by any accidental mistake, have +taken me to such a distance as to prevent the party in these +silent woods hearing the report of my gun, or otherwise the men +had of themselves moved away from the place where I had left +them. But I felt assured that this latter supposition was not +correct, for ever since I quitted the other portion of the party +I had maintained so strict a discipline that no man ever +separated from the rest without my permission; indeed I had +increased my strictness in these respects exactly in proportion +to our increasing difficulties; and I moreover felt sure that +some of the men were by far too much attached to me ever to +abandon me in such a manner.</p> + +<p>My situation however was undoubtedly very critical, not as far +as regarded my own safety, for I was not now more than eighty +miles from the nearest settler's hut; but was it possible for me +to return alone to my countrymen and to say that I had lost all +my comrades? that I had saved myself and left the others to +perish? Yet I knew that unless I sent assistance to the first +party I had left the majority of them could not survive; and from +the state I had, about an hour and a half ago, left the others +in, it appeared more than probable that they might wait and wait +anxiously, expecting my return, until too weak to move, and thus +die miserably in the woods.</p> + +<p>These thoughts thronged rapidly through my mind. Indeed I was +obliged to do all things quickly now for I felt that my existence +depended upon my finding water within the next three or four +hours. The native sat opposite to me on the ground, his keen +savage eye watching the expression of my countenance, as each +thought flitted across it. I saw that he was trying to read my +feelings; and he at length thus broke the silence:</p> + +<p>"Mr. Grey, today we can walk and may yet not die but drink +water; tomorrow you and I will be two dead men, if we walk not +now, for we shall then be weak and unable. The others sit down +too much; they are weak and cannot walk: if we remain with them +we shall all die; but we two are still strong; let us walk. There +lies the sea; to that the streams run; it is long since we have +crossed a river: go quickly, and before the next sun gets up we +shall cross another running water." He paused for a minute, +looking steadfastly at me, and then added, "You must leave the +others, for I know not where they are, and we shall die in trying +to find them."</p> + +<p>HIS DESIGNS FRUSTRATED.</p> + +<p>I now knew that he was playing me false and that he had +purposely led me astray. He was too great a coward to move on +alone for fear of other natives and, dreading to lose his life by +thirst, he had hit upon this expedient of inducing me to abandon +the others and to proceed with him. "Do you see the sun, Kaiber, +and where it now stands?" I replied to him. "Yes," was his +answer. "Then if you have not led me to the party before that sun +falls behind the hills I will shoot you; as it begins to sink you +die." I said these words, looking at him steadily in the face, +and with the full intention of putting my threat into execution. +He saw this, and yet strove to appear unconcerned, and with a +forced laugh said, "You play. From daylight until now you and I +have walked; we have wasted our strength now in looking for water +for the others. But a short time, and we shall be dead; and you +say, search for men whom I cannot find; you tell me, look; and I +know not where to look." I now lost all patience with him and +replied: "Kaiber, deceive as you will, you cannot deceive me; +follow back our tracks instantly to the point from whence we +started: if you do not find them, as the sun falls you die." "I +am wearied," answered he; "for three days I have not either eaten +or drunk, far have we wandered since we left them, and very +distant from us are they now sitting." I could bear this no +longer, and, starting up, said, "You deceive: the sun falls! just +now I spoke: Koolyum, nganga dabbut--garrum wangaga." Again he +forced a laugh and said, "Surely, you play." I answered shortly, +"Did I ever tell you a lie, Kaiber? I now speak the truth."</p> + +<p>RETURN TO THE PARTY WITHOUT WATER.</p> + +<p>He seemed, when he saw that I was so determined, to feel a +little uncomfortable, and shifting his position moved rather +further from me; this motion on his part induced me to conceive +that he intended to run away; in which case I could never again +have hoped to rejoin the party; I therefore instantly cocked the +remaining barrel of my gun and presented it at him, telling him +that if he ever moved from me further than a certain tree which I +pointed out I would forthwith shoot him, instead of waiting until +sunset as I had originally intended. The decided manner in which +I announced this to my friend Kaiber had the desired effect. He +made a few protestations as to the folly of my conduct; lamented +most loudly that his mother, and the Dandalup (a river of his own +land) were so far removed from him; asserted vehemently that the +natives of these parts were bandy-legged, rough-tongued beings; +that they eat earth and drank no water; and, winding-up with a +fervent wish that he might catch one of them wandering anywhere +between Pinjarup and Mandurup, in which case he would spear his +heart, his kidney, and his liver, he sulkily resumed his route +and led me straight back to the party in about an hour.</p> + +<p>DISTRESSING SYMPTOMS OF EXTREME THIRST.</p> + +<p>The men, who had been much surprised at the length of my +absence, were at first buoyed up with the hope that I had found +water; but this hope had at last died away, and they knew not +what to conjecture. They were all reduced to the last degree of +weakness and want; indeed I myself was at this period suffering +from the most distressing symptoms of thirst; not only was my +mouth parched, burning, and devoid of moisture, but the senses of +sight and hearing became much affected; I could scarcely +recognise the voices of the rest; and when uncouth unnatural +tones struck upon my ear it took me some time to collect my +thoughts in order to understand what was said, somewhat in the +way in which one is obliged to act when roused suddenly from a +deep sleep. In the same manner my sight had become feeble and +indistinct; but by far the most distressing sensation was that +experienced upon rising up after having rested for a few moments. +I then felt the blood rush violently to the head, and the feeling +produced was as if it were driven by a forcing-pump through all +my veins.</p> + +<p>LAST EFFORTS.</p> + +<p>Previously to starting again I gave the men orders, which I +believed at the time would be, to some at least, the last. I did +not attempt to hide from them the dangers which surrounded us; +but stating these I represented that matters had now arrived at +such a crisis that, in the event of any of them being unable to +proceed, it would be wrong to expect the others to halt on their +account; and I therefore called upon all to exert their utmost +energies and boldly to make a last struggle for their lives. My +intention, I told them, was to proceed slowly but steadily to the +southward, and never once to halt until I dropped or reached +water; even in the event of any being unable to keep up I warned +them that I should not wait for them but still pursue a steady +and undeviating course until water was found; but as soon as I +had slaked my own thirst I would return and bring assistance to +those who might have been unable to come on with me.</p> + +<p>PAINFUL MARCH.</p> + +<p>Having thus imparted my intentions I ordered them to throw +away every superfluous article; and a very valuable sextant, +which had hitherto been carried turn about by Corporals Auger and +Coles, was here abandoned. These our preparations having been +made we moved slowly on in sad procession, and never shall I +forget the wild and haggard looks of those that followed me; +reason had begun to hold but a very slight influence over some, +and I feel assured that had it not been for the force of that +discipline which I rigidly maintained some of the party must now +have lost their lives. As it was, not a word of complaint was +heard as to the plan I pursued or the route I took; but they all +reeled and staggered after me, the silence being only broken by +groans and exclamations. I preserved a slow uniform pace, +proceeding still in a south by east direction, that is, in a +straight line for Perth. The same sandy sterile country was +around, thinly clothed with Banksia trees.</p> + +<p>We had marched for about an hour and a quarter and in this +time had only made two miles, when we suddenly arrived upon the +edge of a dried-up bed of a sedgy swamp, which lay in the centre +of a small plain, where we saw the foot-mark of a native +imprinted on the sand, and again our hearts beat with hope, for +this sign appeared to announce that we were once more entering +the regions of animal life. We soon found that another part of +the swamp was thickly marked with the footsteps of women and +children; and as no water-baskets were scattered about no doubt +could exist but that we were in the vicinity of water. We soon +discovered several native wells dug in the bed of the swamp; but +these were all dry, and I began again to fear that I was +disappointed, when Kaiber suddenly started up from a thick bed of +reeds and made me a sign which was unobserved by the others, as +was evidently his intention.</p> + +<p>FORTUNATE DISCOVERY OF A MOIST MUD-HOLE. PROVIDENTIAL +SUPPLY.</p> + +<p>I hurried up and found him with his head buried in a small +hole of moist mud, for I can call it nothing else. I very +deliberately raised Kaiber by the hair, as all expostulations to +him were useless, and then called up the others.</p> + +<p>Kaiber had completely swelled himself out with this thick +muddy liquid, and from the mark upon the sides of the hole had +evidently consumed more than half of the total supply. I first of +all took some of this moist mud in my mouth, but finding a +difficulty in swallowing it, as it was so thick, I strained a +portion through a handkerchief. We had thirsted with an intense +and burning thirst for three days and two nights, during the +greater portion of which time we had been taking violent exercise +under a fierce sun. To conceive the delight of the men when they +arrived at this little hole of mud would be difficult. Each, as +he came up and cast his wearied limbs on the ground beside the +hole, uttered these words: "Thank God;" and then greedily +swallowed a few mouthfuls of the liquid mud, protesting that it +was the most delicious water and had a peculiar flavour which +rendered it far superior to any other he had ever tasted.</p> + +<p>DANGER OF PERISHING FROM HUNGER.</p> + +<p>But it required some time before their faculties were +sufficiently recovered to allow them duly to estimate the +magnitude of the danger they had escaped. The small portion of +muddy water in the hole was soon finished, and then by scraping +it out clean we found that water began slowly to trickle into it +again. The men now laid themselves down almost in a state of +stupefaction, and rested by their treasured pool. I felt however +that great calls upon my energies might still arise, and +therefore, retiring a little apart with the native, I first of +all returned hearty thanks to my Maker for the dangers and +sufferings he had thus brought me through, and then tottered on +with my gun in search of food. As might have been expected, game +was here plentiful: numerous pigeons and other birds came down at +nightfall (which was now the hour) for the purpose of drinking at +this lone pool, and the numbers of birds of different kinds that +congregated here was a most convincing proof of the general +aridity of this part of the country. Indeed the natives +subsequently reported that the tract we had just traversed was at +this season of the year totally devoid of water. It was in vain +now that I raised the gun, for my tremulous hand shook so that I +could not for a moment cover the bird I aimed at, and after one +or two ineffectual attempts to kill something I was obliged to +desist in despair.</p> + +<p>PANGS OF HUNGER.</p> + +<p>I now dreaded that I had only escaped the pains of death by +thirst in order to perish of hunger, and for a moment regretted +that I had not died ere I found water, for I firmly believed, +from the state of weakness I was then reduced to, that the +bitterness of death had passed. But a short period sufficed to +smother these unmanly and unchristian feelings in my breast, and, +seeing a flight of black cockatoos soaring about in the air, I +determined to watch them to their roosting-place, and then +favoured by the darkness of night to steal upon them. On my +return to the party I found the men sitting by the hole of water, +anxiously watching until they again saw a little black mud in it, +which they then eagerly swallowed.</p> + +<p>I found some difficulty in inducing them to light their fire +and to choose a situation where they could repose for the night, +but, having accomplished this, I sat down by my own, hand-rubbing +my limbs until it should grow rather darker. At length I had the +pleasure of seeing that the black cockatoos, who found we were +not likely to leave them in possession of the water, had taken up +their position for the night in a large clump of trees distant +not more than half a mile, and I hereupon started with Kaiber to +try and get a shot at them.</p> + +<p>SHOOT AND COOK A COCKATOO.</p> + +<p>After about an hour's wandering and excitement such only as +the desperate gambler can know whose life depends upon the stake +for which he plays, I succeeded in getting a shot into a whole +flight of roosting and snoring black cockatoos, and one fell. I +pounced in triumph on it and received a bite which, famishing as +I was, somewhat damped my ardour; Kaiber however hit it upon the +head with a stick, and we then bore it off to our fire.</p> + +<p>The men had cooked one spoonful of flour each in the liquid +mud which the pool afforded, and assured me that they found this +thick water very nourishing; whence I concluded that the large +portion of mud it contained in some degree gratified the cravings +of the stomach. Kaiber soon plucked the cockatoo and roasted it: +I gave him the entrails, the feet, and the first joint of the +legs, eating the head and thighs myself and reserving the other +portions as a store against future emergencies. I now felt +assured that my life was saved and, rendering thanks to God for +his many mercies, I laid down by the fire to watch for the first +appearance of dawn.</p> + +<p>April 18.</p> + +<p>The men slept but little during the night: every now and then +one of them visited the hole of mud and water to see if a little +of this fluid had drained into it, and about an hour before +daylight I roused them up to proceed upon their journey. They +were dreadfully feeble though upon the whole stronger than they +had been for the last three days. We now entered upon a more +hilly country than we had traversed yesterday; the hills were +steep, being composed of sand and recent limestone, whilst the +valleys were thickly wooded with grass-trees and stunted +Banksias. The general line of route I followed was south by east, +and we had not travelled more than nine miles when we came +suddenly upon a valley with a river running rapidly through it. +The sight of this cheered us up; and when on tasting the water we +found it excellent, and saw adhering to the banks a species of +freshwater mussel (Unio) called by the natives Maraylya, our joy +was complete.</p> + +<p>SUPERSTITIOUS FEELINGS OF KAIBER REGARDING MUSSELS.</p> + +<p>I proceeded therefore to collect wood for my fire and ordered +Kaiber to make haste and gather some of these mussels, an order +which, considering the hungry state he was in, I imagined he +would gladly have obeyed; but to my astonishment he refused +positively to touch one of them, and evidently regarded them with +a superstitious dread and abhorrence. My arguments to induce him +to move were all thrown away; he constantly affirmed that if he +touched these shellfish through their agency the Boyl-yas* would +acquire some mysterious influence over him, which would end in +his death. He could not state a recent instance of any ill +effects having happened from handling or catching the mussel; but +when I taunted him with this he very shrewdly replied that his +inability to do so only arose from the fact of nobody being +"wooden-headed enough" to meddle with them, and that he intended +to have nothing whatever to do with them. This much he assured me +was certain: that a very very long time ago some natives had +eaten them, and that bad spirits had immediately killed them for +so doing.</p> + +<blockquote>(*Footnote. The Boyl-ya is the native +sorcerer.)</blockquote> + +<p>Kaiber was a great deal too sensible a fellow to be allowed to +remain a prey to so ridiculous a superstition as this was; I +therefore ordered him instantly to go and bring some of these +mussels to me; that I intended to eat them, but that he could in +this respect please himself. He hereupon, after thinking for a +moment or two, got up to obey me, and walked away for this +purpose; but I heard him, whilst occupied in the task, lamenting +his fate most bitterly. It was true, he said, that he had not +died either of hunger or thirst, but this was all owing to his +courage and strong sinews, yet what would these avail against the +supernatural powers of the boyl-yas. "They will eat me at night, +whilst, worn out by fatigue, I must sleep." Amidst these and +sundry other similar exclamations he brought the mussels to me: +by this time my fire was prepared, and in a few minutes I was +making such a meal as the weak state of my stomach would admit +of. No inducement of mine could however prevail upon Kaiber to +share with me, and I therefore handed him the remains of the +cockatoo.</p> + +<p>As soon as my repast was concluded I walked about three miles +up the river in the hopes of getting a duck, Kaiber accompanying +me. We saw several but killed none. There were some fine reaches +in the river, as well as some good flats along its banks.</p> + +<p>In the afternoon we travelled about three miles in a south by +east direction, and then came to the bed of a small stream, which +ran from east to west but was now merely a chain of pools. Across +the bed where we passed it was a native weir. Our route during +the whole evening lay over hills of a nature similar to those we +passed yesterday. We did not halt until it was so dark that we +could not see to walk, and then just dropped at the spot where we +ceased to move.</p> + +<p>DISTRESS FROM COLD.</p> + +<p>The men made their fire and I lighted mine from theirs; but +scarcely was this done ere the rain fell in torrents. I had no +blankets or protection of any kind against this, and Kaiber was +in the same predicament; so that when the fire was extinguished +our position became pitiable in the extreme, for I know not if I +ever before suffered so much from cold; and to add to my +annoyance I every now and then heard Kaiber chattering to +himself, under its effects, rather than singing:</p> + +<p>Oh wherefore did he eat the mussels?<br> +Now the boyl-yas storms and thunder make;<br> +Oh wherefore would he eat the mussels?"</p> + +<p>At last I so completely lost my temper that I roared out, "You +stone-headed fellow, Kaiber, if you talk of mussels again, I'll +beat you." "What spoke I this morning?" replied Kaiber; "you are +stone-headed. We shall be dead directly; wherefore ate you the +mussels?" This was beyond what my patience in my present starved +state could endure, so I got up and began to grope about for a +stick or something to throw in the direction of the chattering +blockhead; but he begged me to remain quiet, promising faithfully +to make no more mention of the mussels. I therefore squatted +down, in a state of the most abject wretchedness.</p> + +<p>CRIPPLED STATE OF THE MEN.</p> + +<p>I nearly expired from cold and pain during this inclement +night; the rheumatism in the hip in which I had been wounded was +dreadful, and I lost the power of moving my extremities from +cold. Kaiber must have suffered even more for he had nothing but +a shirt on, whereas I had also a pair of trousers. The men were +in somewhat better condition for they had a blanket, or rather a +piece of one, between each two, and lying together they afforded +one another mutual warmth. The long starvation which we had +undergone had totally unfitted us all to cope with anything like +cold.</p> + +<p>April 19.</p> + +<p>The rain and clouds protracted the morning dawn until late, +which somewhat lengthened our miseries. As soon however as it was +light enough to see our way we started, and moved slowly onwards +in a south by east direction. The men were all completely +crippled from the cold of the night, and it was with the greatest +difficulty I could get either them or the native to move. My own +energies were however only raised from these calls upon them, and +I cheered them on as well as I could. Corporal Coles, my faithful +and tried companion in all my wanderings, could scarcely crawl +along. The flesh was completely torn away from one of his heels, +and the irritation caused by this had produced a large swelling +in the groin. Nothing but his own strong fortitude, aided by the +encouragement given him by myself and his comrades, could have +made him move under his great agony.</p> + +<p>Still however we advanced slowly; other lives depended on our +exertions; and whenever I reminded the men of this for a minute +or two they quickened their pace. Pale, wasted, and weak, we +still crawled onwards in the straight line for Perth, which I +assured them they would reach on Saturday night or Sunday +morning.</p> + +<p>RIVER OF RUNNING WATER. PASS THE MOORE RIVER.</p> + +<p>About two hours and a half after starting we crossed the +southern branch of the Moore River, which was running strong; but +the rain, which had only just ceased, prevented our being +thirsty.</p> + +<p>The whole of this day's route lay over hills similar to those +we had found yesterday. We moved on, occasionally halting for a +few minutes, until it was so dark we could no longer see, and +then laid down, having again this day tasted no food.</p> + +<p>MISERY FROM RAIN AND COLD.</p> + +<p>It rained hard all night and our miseries of the last one were +repeated. We were also less able to bear them, being weaker from +longer abstinence. This day we travelled about one-and-twenty +miles.</p> + +<p>DESPONDING FEELINGS.</p> + +<p>April 20.</p> + +<p>This morning we rose again, weak and stiffened from the cold +and wet; life had long ceased to have any charms for me, and I +fancy that the others must have experienced a similar feeling. A +disinclination to move pervaded the whole, and I had much the +same desire to sink into the sleep of death, that one feels to +take a second slumber of a morning after great fatigue. My life +was not worth the magnitude of the effort that it cost me to +move; but other lives depended on mine, so I rose up weak and +giddy and by degrees induced the rest to start also. Poor Coles +however was in a dreadful state.</p> + +<p>The country through which we were travelling is intersected by +a long line of lakes which run nearly parallel to the sea for a +distance of about forty-five miles. One of the party had +travelled in the same direction with me before, but we had then +kept along the edge of the lakes. He had imagined however that +they were only two or three miles distant from the sea, whereas +many of them were as much as eight or ten. The route we were +pursuing was about midway between the lakes and the sea, and this +man seeing nothing of the lakes could not be convinced that I was +right in the position I said we then were; for I assured the men +they were not more than twenty-seven or twenty-eight miles to the +north of Perth; but I heard him relating his doubts, which tended +to discourage the others very much.</p> + +<p>A PARTY OF NATIVES.</p> + +<p>We however walked on as well as we could until near noon, at +which time, from excessive weakness, we had not made more than +eight miles, or about a mile and a quarter an hour, when we +suddenly came out on the bed of a dried-up swamp, now looking +like a desert of white sand studded with reeds. The forms of +natives were seen wandering about this, one mile from us, who +were searching for frogs. There was a very numerous party, and +they did not appear at all inclined to approach us. Now it was +very evident that if we were so near Perth as I imagined these +natives must be well acquainted with Europeans; for although but +very little was known of the country to the north of Perth, and +the farthest settlement in that direction was only four miles +from the town, still the natives must, from mere curiosity, have +been frequently in the settlement.</p> + +<p>JOYFUL INTERVIEW WITH A FRIENDLY TRIBE. KAIBER'S OPINION OF +THEM.</p> + +<p>We therefore approached them but as we came near they +withdrew. Kaiber was now called into consultation; he scrutinised +them long and carefully, and then announced that they were +"mondak yoongar," wild natives; and, after a second survey of +them, declared that they had the "mondak kurrang kombar," or +great bush fury, on them, or rather, were subject to wild +untutored rage. After making this announcement he squatted down +under a bush to conceal himself, and then recapitulating rapidly +all the dangers we had gone through, conjured me not to bring him +into a fresh scrape by having anything to do with such a numerous +party of his countrymen in our present weak state.</p> + +<p>The men, who understood enough of what he was saying to know +that he thought these natives had never seen Europeans, became +extremely uneasy and begged me to allow them to fire a gun as a +signal to them: "For if we are so near Perth as you suppose, +Sir," they said to me, "these natives will come to us." Kaiber +hereupon told me that the instant the gun was fired he should run +away. This was rather too ridiculous a threat when the coward was +afraid to move five yards from us; I therefore ordered a gun to +be fired, and then, telling the men to remain steady and prepared +in case of accident, I walked off towards the natives, Kaiber, in +the meanwhile, sitting on his haunches under cover, muttering to +himself, "The swan, the big head, the stone forehead;" and, as +these denunciations reached me, I could not, even in all my +misery, forbear smiling at them.</p> + +<p>DISCOVERED TO BE FRIENDS.</p> + +<p>The natives no sooner heard the gun and saw me approaching +than they came running to me. Presently Kaiber called out to me, +"Mr. Grey, Mr. Grey, nadjoo watto, nginnee yalga nginnow," "Mr. +Grey, Mr. Grey, I am going to them; you sit here a little;" and +he then, with his long thin ungainly legs, bounded by me like a +deer. "Imbat, friend," I heard him cry out, as a young man came +running up to him. I grew giddy; I knew Imbat by name, and felt +assured that at all events the lives of a great portion of my +party were safe. In a few minutes Kaiber had given an outline of +our adventures and present state. Fearing such mischances as had +really happened to me, I had, previously to my departure to the +north, done my utmost to cultivate the friendship of the northern +natives; and most of them, even to the distance of sixty or +seventy miles from Perth in that direction, had received presents +from me. My name was well known amongst them as a tried friend, +although indeed my common denomination was "Wokeley brudder," or +Oakley's brother; for, from my giving them flour, they concluded +that I was a relation of the baker of that name at Perth.</p> + +<p>HOSPITABLE RECEPTION BY THEM.</p> + +<p>The women were soon called up, bark baskets of frogs opened +for us, by-yu nuts roasted, and as a special delicacy I obtained +a small fresh-water tortoise. "Now, friend, sleep whilst I cook," +said Imbat, and lighting a fire he made me lie down and try to +slumber whilst he roasted some frogs and the turtle for me. I was +not over-well pleased at the skill he chose to exhibit in his +cookery, for he thereby delayed me for a longer time than was +agreeable, but we were all soon regaling on this native fare.</p> + +<p>Anxious questions were put by the men as to their distance +from Perth, and the natives all told them they would see it the +next morning, "whilst the sun was still small;" and on further +enquiry it turned out that a kangaroo hunter of the name of +Porley was at a hut distant only seven miles from us, and +according to the account of the natives he had a supply of +provisions with him. As soon therefore as I had a little +recruited my strength I started on with Imbat to the hut, leaving +the men to follow in company with the other natives as rapidly as +their strength would allow them. Imbat carried my gun and +everything but a book or two and my papers, which, being precious +documents, I had never trusted out of my own possession, however +heavy my labours and misfortunes had been. He moved merrily +along, trying to win me from my moody thoughts by relating all +the news of the settlement both as concerned the Europeans and +natives; for like all other idle people the natives are great +gossips and really love a little scandal. Worn out from fatigue, +I was rather petulant and ill-tempered, but Imbat talked on +unmindful of this, or only laughed at me, and jeered me for +it.</p> + +<p>IMBAT'S NOTIONS.</p> + +<p>My intentions in going on were to have everything prepared for +the men on their arrival at the hut; but when I reached it I +found it deserted, the owner having returned to Perth. I however +lit a fire and laid down, Imbat again beginning to cook, and then +chattering: "What for do you who have plenty to eat and much +money walk so far away in the bush?" I felt amazingly annoyed at +this question and therefore did not answer him. "You are thin," +said he, "your shanks are long, your belly is small, you had +plenty to eat at home, why did you not stop there?" I was vexed +at his personalities, besides which it is impossible to make a +native understand our love of travel. I therefore replied, +"Imbat, you comprehend nothing, you know nothing." "I know +nothing!" answered he; "I know how to keep myself fat; the young +women look at me and say, Imbat is very handsome, he is fat. They +will look at you and say, He not good, long legs, what do you +know? where is your fat? what for do you know so much if you +can't keep fat? I know how to stay at home and not to walk too +far in the bush. Where is your fat?" "You know how to talk; long +tongue;" was my reply; upon which Imbat, forgetting his anger, +burst into a roar of laughter, and saying, "and I know how to +make you fat," began stuffing me with frogs, barde, and by-yu +nuts. The rest of the party arrived just before nightfall, and, +searching the hut, found a paper of tea, and an old tin pot in +which they cooked some, and then eating frogs, etc., for their +supper, we all laid down to sleep, and in the silence of the +night I rendered fervent thanks to my Maker who had again brought +us so near the haven where we would be."</p> + +<p>OPINIONS OF THE MEN REGARDING THE FATE OF OUR OTHER PARTY.</p> + +<p>April 21.</p> + +<p>It had rained all night but we had been a little sheltered by +the hut; though from the state of anxiety we were in sleep did +not visit our eyes. This was the first time since I had been out +that I had slept so near the men as to be able to overhear their +conversation; but the rain forced us all to seek the shelter of +the same little hut, and I thus gathered the different stories +that they narrated to one another. Their speculations and +conjectures naturally ran upon our absent comrades; some imagined +that they were within a day or two's march of us, but another +party held firmly to the opinion that we should never see them +more.</p> + +<p>SUPERSTITIONS OF MY MEN.</p> + +<p>They could give no apparently satisfactory reason for holding +this opinion, and, as there was evidently some deep mystery +connected with it, I kept on pressing my servant Coles in order +to induce him to tell me whence it arose. At last it came out +that Mr. Walker had had a dream, when we were on the shores of +Shark Bay and before we had commenced our return home, that some +dreadful misfortune had befallen us and that Mr. Smith, Thomas +Ruston, and he himself, were endeavouring to make the Isle of +France in a boat, when Mr. Smith died, and the remaining two had +eaten his body. Mr. Walker had, with the utmost imprudence, +related this dream to some of the men, and they, with that +superstition which is so common amongst sailors and Englishmen of +the lower orders, had attached a great degree of importance to +it; many circumstances which had hitherto been unexplained to me +now flashed upon my mind; poor Mr. Smith had been very ill at the +time Mr. Walker had related this inauspicious dream, and at that +period an extraordinary degree of despondency had crept over him, +so much so that some of the men imagined he had become deranged. +When also we were working our way down the eastern coast of Shark +Bay in the boats others of the party had got into a very +desponding state, one of whom, Henry Woods, had even gone so far +as to tell me when I remonstrated with him on this point that he +knew that the greater part of us wore doomed, and that our lives +were worth nothing.</p> + +<p>My anxiety for those I had left behind me now increased, and +about an hour and a half before daylight I started for Perth with +Imbat, leaving the others to follow as rapidly as they could, and +telling them that I would have food ready for them at Williams's +cottage, who was the settler living farthest north from Perth. In +about an hour and a half I reached Williams's hut, which I +entered, and found his wife and another woman at breakfast.</p> + +<p>I had often got a drink of milk at this cottage when I had +before been at Perth, and I flattered myself that Mrs. Williams +would recollect me; little calculating how strangely want and +suffering had changed my appearance. The two women only stared +with the utmost surprise and said, "Why, Magic, what's the matter +with you?" (They alluded to a crazy Malay who used to visit the +outsettler's houses, and who had somehow or the other acquired +the nickname of Magic.) I was rather hurt at my reception and +said, "I am not Magic;" at this they both burst into a roar of +laughter and Mrs. Williams said, "Well, then, my good man, who +are you?" "One who is almost starved," was my reply. "Will you +take this then," said my hostess, handing me a cup of tea she was +raising to her lips. "With all my heart and soul, and God reward +you for it," was my answer, and I swallowed the delicious +draught. Imbat, who had been to search for Williams, now came in +and explained who I was; in a few minutes more I was seated at a +comfortable breakfast; water was put on to boil, and by the time +the things were prepared the rest of the party came up. ARRIVAL +AND RECEPTION AT PERTH. NOT RECOGNIZED BY MY FRIENDS.</p> + +<p>I now washed and made myself as clean as possible. I could +obtain no conveyance to take us on to Perth and therefore started +to walk in with Imbat, leaving the others to complete their +breakfast; but I soon found myself dreadfully ill from having +eaten too profusely; still I pushed on as well as I could, and in +about an hour and a half reached the house of my friend, L. +Samson, Esquire. He could not believe it was me whom he beheld, +but having convinced himself of the fact he made me swallow about +a tea-spoonful of brandy, and, recruited by this, I was +sufficiently recovered to wait upon His Excellency the Governor +in order to have immediate steps taken to send off a party in +search of my missing comrades.</p> + +<p>The Governor could scarcely credit his sight when he beheld +the miserable object that stood before him; but in this as in all +other instances in which I have known him the goodness of his +heart shone conspicuous; not only was every kindness shown me but +immediate steps were taken to forward assistance to those who +were still in the bush. Having thus far performed my duty I +retired to press a bed once more, having for nearly three +consecutive months slept in the open air, on the ground just at +the spot where my day's hardship had terminated. So changed was I +that those of my friends who had heard of my arrival and were +coming to congratulate me passed me in the street, whilst others +to whom I went up and held out my hand drew back in horror and +said, "I beg your pardon, who are you?"</p> + +<p>Ere I was in bed the remainder of the men who were journeying +with me arrived, and it had thus pleased Providence to conduct +six of us through great suffering and want to the termination of +our miseries.</p> + +<p><a name="chapter5"></a></p> + +<h2>CHAPTER 5. FROM WATER PEAK TO PERTH.</h2> + +<p>(MR. WALKER'S PARTY.)</p> + +<p>PARTY SENT IN SEARCH FROM PERTH.</p> + +<p>I arrived at Perth on the 21st of April and not a moment was +lost in preparing a party to go in search of the men I had left +with Mr. Walker, and who, it will be recollected, were instructed +to proceed along the coast until they made the Moore River, where +assistance was to be sent out to them from Perth.</p> + +<p>SEARCH FOR THE OTHER PARTY.</p> + +<p>Accordingly on the 23rd of April Lieutenant Mortimer of the +21st regiment and Mr. Spofforth, with four soldiers, left Perth +and arrived on the Moore River in two days; but after traversing +its banks in vain for two days more they abandoned all hope of +finding those they were in search of there, and pursued a +straight course about 25 miles further north, when they fell in +with another river where they formed a depot, and detours were +made in various directions for several days without any +avail.</p> + +<p>RETURN WITH CHARLES WOODS.</p> + +<p>At length, on one of these excursions, the seaman Charles +Woods, one of my party, was found by Mr. Spofforth, lying on the +beach, wrapped in his blanket and fast asleep. He soon awoke and +was not a little delighted to recognise Mr. Spofforth whom he had +seen before at Fremantle. By the account Woods gave it appears +that from the period of my departure much disorder and discontent +at the direction of their course prevailed among the men. They +frequently left the beach and wandered inland to procure water +and food, not sufficiently exerting themselves to advance +southward. They had succeeded, he said, in procuring upon the +whole about a dozen birds, a crab, and eighteen fish. On the 21st +of April Mr. Walker, who had frequently exerted himself in +procuring firewood and water for the weaker of the party, divided +two dough cakes still remaining in his possession among them all. +They were then upon the beach, and though still at a great +distance from the appointed place of rendezvous the men were very +unwilling to distress themselves to reach it, being persuaded +they should be tracked, wherever they might be, by the natives +whom I should send to their help. Woods, being dissatisfied with +their slow progress, now quitted them at a place where, he says, +they had to go round two very deep bays close together, which +took him a whole day; and it was owing to his having obeyed my +instructions more strictly than the others that he was found by +Mr. Spofforth. Woods, who seemed to have a singularly accurate +idea of the distance he was from Perth when found, added that he +thought he could have walked to it had he not been discovered, +although he had nothing to eat but a few native figs; and that he +thought the whole of the party were getting more accustomed to +native food and were latterly better than they had been at first; +he said he felt so himself.</p> + +<p>SECOND PARTY IN SEARCH, UNDER MR. ROE.</p> + +<p>Lieutenant Mortimer's party, having made every exertion but in +vain to find the five remaining persons, were compelled at the +end of a fortnight by want of provisions to return to Perth, +where they arrived on the 6th of May; and early the next morning +the Surveyor-General, Mr. Roe, accompanied by Mr. Spofforth (who +again volunteered his services) four men, and two native youths, +with five horses, set out in search of those still missing.</p> + +<p>ARRIVAL OF MR. WALKER AT PERTH. JOURNAL OF MR. WALKER'S +PARTY.</p> + +<p>On the 9th of May, two days after the departure of Mr. Roe's +party, Mr. Walker came into Perth alone, and from his statement, +together with what was gleaned subsequently from the other men, I +shall here briefly narrate what befel them after my departure on +the 10th of April.</p> + +<p>NARRATIVE OF THEIR PROCEEDINGS FROM WATER PEAK.</p> + +<p>On the next day they started at dawn and soon came to a great +deal of scrub; this was the belt of thick wood mentioned in my +journal. Mr. Walker says the men, being disheartened at this, +they went down to the beach and halted about a mile from it; +Water Peak Hill being distant about fifteen miles. Woods said +much discontent was caused amongst the men by its being conceived +that they were following a bad course; or, according to Ruston's +expression, that "the steering was very bad."</p> + +<p>April 12.</p> + +<p>They found a river with pools of water in coarse gravel in +which they caught here two small fish, and travelled six miles +through the scrub along a native path.</p> + +<p>April 13.</p> + +<p>They started and went down towards the beach. The men cut and +cooked some greens but found no water. Travelled twelve or +fourteen miles along the beach.</p> + +<p>Sunday April 14.</p> + +<p>They shot a pigeon, two red-bills, and a hawk. In the +afternoon it rained, and they travelled along the beach and got +some cockles, and found a fine stream of water running out from +under the rocks. They then got under the scrub to keep the rain +off, having made about eight miles.</p> + +<p>April 15.</p> + +<p>They again came out on the beach and kept along it. Good +travelling. Made a march of nearly twenty miles.</p> + +<p>EXTREME DISTRESS FROM HUNGER AND THIRST.</p> + +<p>April 16.</p> + +<p>They continued on the beach till they came to a good place for +fishing and caught eighteen. Mr. Walker shot a bird. After eating +the fish, they were all very thirsty.</p> + +<p>April 17.</p> + +<p>Went into the interior about midday and found a native well +six miles inland; also a large cave in the rocks. The party here +procured and ate some Zamia nuts.</p> + +<p>April 18.</p> + +<p>They were all sick from the nuts, and turned back to the beach +about four miles but did not reach it.</p> + +<p>April 19.</p> + +<p>This morning they reached the beach and travelled on until +they came to some high rocks from whence they saw an immense +tract of sand. Again this evening they went into the interior to +find water. Boiled some young trees and ate them.</p> + +<p>April 20.</p> + +<p>They were travelling into the interior along the steep banks +of a river running nearly east. Got plenty of green stuff to eat. +They had now two guns and the means of getting fire, but the +powder and shot was nearly expended. The axe I left with them had +been lost soon after.</p> + +<p>April 21.</p> + +<p>Woods left the others to proceed alone.</p> + +<p>April 22.</p> + +<p>Being the day after Woods left they went into the interior +about six miles from the coast and there found a river, which Mr. +Walker and Mr. Smith thought was the Karpan (the Moore). This +river was standing in pools, and there was a great rush of water +from the hills; they traced the bed up for two or three miles, +where it came out from some very high hills, when Mr. Smith said +he was certain that it was not the Karpan. They then made a south +by west course, and thought where they came out was 12 miles +below where Woods left them; and that the river was nearly +halfway between these two points.</p> + +<p>They now again turned into the interior, being, as they +thought, at the bay to the south of Jurieu Bay.</p> + +<p>April 23.</p> + +<p>They returned and kept along the beach, made about fifteen +miles, when they halted close to it.</p> + +<p>April 24.</p> + +<p>They went on for five or six miles, then halted and made a +fire with the end of a spar.</p> + +<p>April 25.</p> + +<p>They travelled two or three hundred yards. Mr. Walker went +back for the end of the spar and Mr. Smith cut some firewood. +There they halted, catching fish and crabs.</p> + +<p>April 26 and 27.</p> + +<p>Still halted at this spot, fishing, and caught parrot-fish, +rock-cod, etc.; so that they had as much fish as they could use, +and found fresh water in the holes of the rocks.</p> + +<p>April 28.</p> + +<p>They started at dawn and went on for a mile. Ruston was taken +ill from the number of crabs he had eaten, and Mr. Walker stopped +with him whilst the other three went on a mile ahead and got fish +and periwinkles. Mr. Smith, Stiles, and Clotworthy had a little +water left; Ruston and Mr. Walker had canteens half-full. Ruston +got better in the evening but they did not proceed until the next +morning.</p> + +<p>April 29.</p> + +<p>Mr. Walker moved on with Ruston about a mile and there found +Mr. Smith clambering up some rocks, and having plenty of +periwinkles, of which he gave them some. Clotworthy had stopped +up all night and had picked up enough for four or five days. At +night at low tide they got nearly fresh water running out from +under the rocks.</p> + +<p>April 30.</p> + +<p>They still halted, living on the periwinkles; but this evening +the water was more salt.</p> + +<p>May 1.</p> + +<p>This day the party separated into two portions and did not +meet again until the 2nd, on which day Mr. Walker left them by +agreement, he being the strongest of the party. His object was to +proceed as expeditiously as he could to Fremantle and send from +thence a boat and fresh water for the relief of the rest. The +party he left behind having agreed to keep a constant look out on +the beach and hoist concerted signals.</p> + +<p>For two days after Mr. Walker left them it appears they +wandered about to look for water and then fished. They +fortunately fell in with a cask of water, washed up on the beach, +from which they filled their canteens, roasted the fish and +started on again, but made no distance. This lasted for several +days. They subsisted by picking up a few shellfish and some dead +birds which had been washed ashore, and they ate a sort of cane +that grows near the beach, and the Hottentot fig.</p> + +<p>DEATH OF MR. SMITH.</p> + +<p>Mr. Smith now gradually became exhausted, and at last one +evening sat down on a bank, and said he could not go on. He was +behind the party with Ruston, who thought he was dying, and went +on and told the other men. The next morning Ruston went back to +try and find where Mr. Smith was, but was so weak that (as he +thought) he did not go far enough, and did not find him. Mr. +Smith seems to have crawled up into the bush, a little on one +side of their route, and there died.</p> + +<p>TIMELY DISCOVERY OF THE REST BY MR. ROE. MR. ROE'S REPORT.</p> + +<p>Four days after the rest were picked up by Mr. Roe's party, +whose proceedings I shall now relate from his own interesting +report; premising that the men had then been three days without +water and four days without food, and had nothing to eat but the +sweet cane that grows near the beach.</p> + +<p>MR. ROE PROCEEDS IN SEARCH OF THE MISSING MEN.</p> + +<p>Mr. Roe says:</p> + +<p>Leaving Perth early on the 8th instant, accompanied by Mr. E. +Spofforth and four men, with the native youths Warrup and Wyip, +and five horses, we travelled in a north by west direction along +a chain of beautiful lakes, from three to ten miles apart, and +surrounded by good soil and grass to a short distance; and in the +middle of the third day reached Neergabby on the Garban River, +about 52 miles distant. Giving our horses an hour's rest, I rode +forward twelve miles with Mr. Spofforth and Warrup to the mouth +of the river, where we hoped to find some traces of the +absentees; but to our disappointment and regret not a footmark +was to be seen on the sand except those of Woods, and the written +directions which had been placed conspicuously on sticks so as to +intercept the track of the wanderers were either untouched or +washed down by the high tides. Replacing these with full +instructions how to proceed, we returned to our camp at +Neergabby, where we were joined by some natives of the district, +from whom however no information whatever could be obtained +respecting the objects of our search. Inferring from these +circumstances that they could not yet have reached so far south, +and that they might probably have quitted the beach for the +purpose of seeking fresh water inland, we lost no time in pushing +on to the northward, and at sunset of the 11th took up our +bivouac at Barrumbur on the Moore River, seventeen miles in +advance, where excellent water was found in deep pools and our +horses revelled in luxuriant pasturage. Between the two rivers +there is a great extent of level country, so much under water in +wet weather as to be then totally impassable with horses or +carts, and the beds of the rivers (near which there is generally +good cattle feed) assume the form of deep sandy pools, a few +yards apart and grooved to the depth of 25 or 30 feet below the +level of the banks.</p> + +<p>Being desirous of penetrating the country further to the north +before we again visited the beach, which was computed to be about +fifteen miles distant with no water or feed for our horses in the +intermediate space, we buried half our provisions, etc., in a +hole beneath our temporary shelter, which was then fired in order +to lull the suspicion of the natives; and our sable companions +having secreted the pannier-baskets and packsaddles among the +adjoining bushes in such a way as to defy discovery, we trusted +to Providence for the result, and next morning resumed our +northern route. Leaving the extensive shallow lakes of Garbanup, +at this time quite dry, about two miles on our left, we traversed +a more hilly and dry sandy district than before, and had an +elevated mountainous country fifteen or twenty miles to the +eastward. We had now entered upon the inhospitable tract in which +Mr. Grey and his party had been so much distressed for water on +the homeward journey, and their feet-marks were distinctly +recognised by our natives around a swampy space in search of +some. At the end of sixteen miles we reached Nowergup, a small +rushy lake, at this time quite dry and dusty at the surface, but +having at its north end a small well, seven feet deep, containing +about a gallon of stinking water. Although this proved very +palatable after a dry day's journey, it was by no means adapted +to the wants of five horses, and we gladly accepted the services +of one of the natives of the district to conduct us to a larger +quantity. Our way to it led over a mile and a quarter of nearly +level country, entirely under water in winter, and covered with +rushes and tea-trees. At the lowest level was a well with +abundance of water two feet below the surface, near which we +immediately took up our quarters and learnt that the spot was +called by them Bookernyup. We were also given to understand that +the country to the northward and westward was at this time of the +year entirely without water, and that none was to be found nearer +than a river "far away" in the north-east.</p> + +<p>This account by no means lessened our fears for the poor +fellows of whom we were in search, and led us to determine on +leaving the party here, and making a forced march of two or three +days to the north-west with the smallest possible supplies, in +the hope of reaching the spot where the absentees had been left +by Woods, and which we supposed to be the vicinity of Jurieu +Bay.</p> + +<p>SUCCEEDS IN FINDING THEIR TRACES.</p> + +<p>Previous however to putting this plan into execution, it was +considered advisable to visit the beach again, fifteen or sixteen +miles distant, on doing which next morning, with Mr. Spofforth +and Warrup, we had the satisfaction to find the feet-marks of +five men on the sand, taking a southerly direction. Warrup having +pronounced them to be without doubt the footsteps of white men, +and not more than two or three days old, we followed them eagerly +along the shore for a mile, and then came to an empty cask that +had been washed on shore, together with several broken bottles +and a stone jar. On further examination part of the head of the +cask was found much cut with a knife, as if used for a plate, and +near the extinct embers of a small fire lay the bones of a fish, +which Warrup concluded had been picked on the morning of the +previous day. Rejoiced at having now got upon the right track, +and being unwilling to lose time by following it up from this +spot, we took a good look round and returned to our camp at +Bookernyup by sunset, from whence we next morning started early +in a southerly direction, took up safely everything we had +concealed on the Moore River, and shortly after dark had +completed 24 miles to a place called Kadjelup, where we halted on +some deep pools similar to those at Barrumbur.</p> + +<p>Breakfasting early on the 15th, the baggage was despatched +forward to Neergabby, and at daybreak Mr. Spofforth, Kinchela (a +private of the 21st regiment) and Warrup accompanied me on +horseback to the beach, which we found eleven miles off, but to +our great disappointment a very high tide had totally obliterated +all marks from the sand and left us in perplexity and doubt. +Concluding however that the missing party must be in advance of +us, and that they could not fail to observe the papers which had +been offered to their notice at the mouth of the Garban River, we +turned our steps that way; left a paper of directions in the +event of their being behind us, and carefully examined both beach +and sandhills, as well as the country immediately in rear of +them. Twelve miles brought us to the mouth of the river, and +there we found everything as we had placed it--not a mark near +the beach except the footsteps of the native dog prowling about +the sandhills, and nothing which could lead to a belief that the +spot had been visited since we last left it. Somewhat +disappointed, although rejoicing in having now hemmed the +unfortunate absentees up into a narrow limit, within which we +knew they MUST be wandering towards Perth, we joined our party at +Neergabby shortly after dark, and observed on our way the traces +of five natives who were confidently said by Warrup to be Perth +natives, sent to look after us with intelligence. They had come +along the coast from the south as far as the mouth of the river, +and had struck inland to the south-east on their return. The +conclusions of this intelligent lad on the occasion were +afterwards found to be strictly correct, even to the names of the +men who composed the party.</p> + +<p>PROVIDENTIAL DISCOVERY OF THEM.</p> + +<p>The early morning of the 16th found us all in busy preparation +for the day's proceedings and relying with reasonable confidence +on a successful issue to our exertions. The remainder of the +party were sent back with one horse to Kadjelup, whilst my +indefatigable companion Mr. Spofforth accompanied me, with +Kinchela and the two natives and four horses, to resume our +examination of the beach to the north. Fifteen miles in a +north-west direction brought us to the desired spot, but still no +sign was apparent of its having been visited by any human being +since ourselves; we however commenced a close examination to the +northward, and at the end of a mile and a half had the infinite +satisfaction of falling in with three of the missing party, in +the persons of Ruston, Stiles, and Clotworthy, who had formed a +portion of the wrecked boats' crews.</p> + +<p>THEIR MISERABLE CONDITION.</p> + +<p>The state of distress and exhaustion in which they were found +on the beach was truly pitiable and moving. With scarcely +strength to drag one foot after the other they had marched about +a mile and a half that morning until they encountered the bold +rocky projection of land at which we discovered them, and the +passing of which they had given up as utterly hopeless from want +of sufficient strength to climb over it. Having been three days +without water except their own and the seawater, the former of +which they had saved in their canteens, and emptied out before +us, and their only food being such nourishment as they could +obtain from chewing a coarse rushy plant which grew about +high-water mark, it cannot be matter of surprise that they were +almost frantic after water, and that the portions of it which we +sparingly administered to them, mixed with a little brandy, were +most eagerly seized. Indeed the greatest firmness and forbearance +were necessary on our part to prevent the unfortunate sufferers +from committing fatal excesses. They declared their extremity to +have been so great that no chance had appeared to them of +surviving the next awful night, or of getting a foot beyond their +present position; and, to his credit be it said, one of them* had +been on his knees only ten minutes before they were rescued, +supplicating with uplifted hands that aid and assistance which +had thus, through Divine Providence, been so opportunely afforded +them.</p> + +<blockquote>(*Footnote. Ruston.)</blockquote> + +<p>SEARCH FOR MR. SMITH.</p> + +<p>In answer to our anxious enquiries respecting Mr. Walker and +Mr. Smith we learnt that the former, being much the strongest of +the party, had, at their request, made the best of his way +towards Perth ten days since, in order to send them out +assistance, and that Mr. Smith, having been totally unable to +proceed with them any further, had remained behind, in a dying +state, four days ago. Touched by this distressing intelligence, +and sensibly alive to the value of time, we lost not a moment in +lifting our three light weights on our horses, and by supporting +them in their seats conveyed them over the sandhills to the more +level space behind, where sufficient brushwood was scattered +about for maintaining a fire. Here Mr. Spofforth kindly undertook +their charge, while I should proceed with Kinchela and Warrup in +search of poor Smith.</p> + +<p>Ruston having expressed himself very anxious to accompany us, +and fearing that we might not otherwise accomplish our object, +after receiving some suitable refreshment, he was mounted, and we +all set off at as quick a pace as he could manage. At the end of +three miles a good view of the coast to the northward was opened +to us from the summit of a rising ground, and Ruston pointed out, +at the distance of 24 miles, an island near which he said young +Smith had been left. As this was far beyond the six or seven +miles of which they had at first spoken, and totally precluded +the possibility of my returning that night with the water-kegs +which I had taken to be filled at some wells which they had seen +in the vicinity, I relinquished all idea of proceeding, while the +sun was then touching the horizon, and we accordingly rejoined +Mr. Spofforth and his charge. We were now perfectly satisfied of +the wandering inconsistency in the conversation of the three +rescued men, who were evidently to a considerable extent +delirious or light-headed. Being too sore in body and excited in +mind to admit much sleep to their assistance, they were full of +their expressions of thankfulness for their timely deliverance, +and at length terminated a long and weary night.</p> + +<p>DISCOVERY OF HIS BODY.</p> + +<p>The morrow's dawn found me on my way with Kinchela and Warrup +to search for poor Smith, while Mr. Spofforth proceeded with the +three rescued men and Wyip to join our party at Kadjelup, 12 +miles off. At the distance of a mile and a half we found the guns +of Mr. Walker and Mr. Smith, which the men had buried among the +sandhills from inability to carry them any further. A close +scrutiny of the beach brought us, at the end of ten miles, to a +spot where Warrup observed the traces of feet in the sand. +Following them up, they ascended a bare sandhill to the height of +twelve or fourteen feet, turned short round to the left, and +there terminated at the unfortunate object of our search, +extended on his back, lifeless, in the midst of a thick bush, +where he seemed to have laid himself down to sleep, +half-enveloped in his blanket. The poor fellow's last bed +appeared to have been selected by himself; and at the distance of +three or four yards from him lay all the trifling articles which +had constituted his travelling equipage. These were his wooden +canteen, his brown felt hat, and haversack, containing his +journal, shoes, tinder, steel, gun-screw, a few small canvas bags +which he had used for carrying shellfish, and a small bag with +thread, needles, and buttons. Life seemed to have been extinct +rather more than two days; and from the position of the head, +which had fallen considerably below the level of the body, we +were led to conclude that a rush of blood into the brain had +caused his death, and at last without much suffering.</p> + +<p>BURIAL OF MR. SMITH.</p> + +<p>With the help of the soldier and Warrup we made a grave with +our hands and buried poor Smith deep in a sandhill near the +shore, about seventy-six miles to the north of Swan River. Even +Warrup, notwithstanding the general apathy of the native +character, wept like a child over the untimely fate of this young +man, from whom he had formerly received kindness. Smoothing over +his solitary bed, and placing at the head of his grave a piece of +wood found upon the beach, we pursued our melancholy way half a +mile to the northward, where we found the water to which we had +been directed by digging 12 inches in the sand at the +commencement of a considerable sheet of bare sand, extending at +least four miles into the interior. In the course of the evening +we rejoined our party on the Moore River. Next day we halted at +Kadjelup; and on the 19th we separated at Neergabby once more, +Mr. Spofforth to conduct the remainder of the party home with as +much celerity as they could travel, whilst I proceeded with +Kinchela and Warrup to examine the coast from the mouth of the +Moore River for any traces of Mr. Walker, of whose fate we were +in total ignorance. By noon of the 22nd we had arrived within 12 +miles of Perth without remarking the least trace of the supposed +absentee, when we were met by Mr. Hunt the constable with the +pleasing intelligence that Mr. Walker had reached Perth on the +9th instant. In the evening we arrived at the same place, and +found that Mr. Spofforth had brought in his charge the day +before.</p> + +<hr align="center" width="25%"> +<p>CONCLUSION OF THE EXPEDITION.</p> + +<p>If Mr. Roe's party had been delayed only a few hours there is +every probability that from the debilitated state in which the +men were found they would all have perished.</p> + +<p>I deeply regretted the death of poor Frederic Smith, who had +come out from England expressly for the purpose of joining me, +led solely by the spirit of enterprise, and not with any view of +settling. He was the most youthful of the party, being only 18 +years of age, and thence was less capable than the others of +bearing up against long-continued want and fatigue, and the +excessive heat of the climate, under which he gradually wasted +away until death terminated his sufferings. When aroused by +danger or stimulated by a sense of duty he was as bold as a lion, +whilst his manner to me was ever gentleness itself, as indeed it +was to all.*</p> + +<blockquote>(*Footnote. He was the eldest son of Octavius Smith, +Esquire, of Thames Bank, and grandson of the late William Smith, +Esquire, long known in political life as Member for +Norwich.)</blockquote> + +<p>Upon the final return of the expedition a desire was expressed +by some gentlemen of the colony of Western Australia to remove +Mr. Smith's remains to Perth; but upon mature reflection I +declined their friendly proposal, preferring rather to let him +rest close by the spot where he died, having given the name of my +ill-fated friend to a river which hides itself in the sandy +plains near where he fell so early a sacrifice to his gallant and +enterprising spirit.</p> + +<p><a name="chapter6"></a></p> + +<h2>CHAPTER 6. SUMMARY OF DISCOVERIES.</h2> + +<p>RIVERS AND MOUNTAIN RANGES DISCOVERED.</p> + +<p>Having now brought the narrative of my expedition along the +western shores of Australia to a close I shall here retrace in a +brief summary the principal geographical discoveries to which it +led.</p> + +<p>The country examined during this expedition lies between Cape +Cuvier and Swan River, having for its longitudinal limits the +parallel of 24 degrees and that of 32 degrees south latitude, and +the expedition combined two objects: the examination and nautical +survey of such parts of the coast lying between these limits as +were imperfectly known, and the exploration of such parts of the +continent as might on examination appear worthy of particular +notice.</p> + +<p>RIVERS DISCOVERED.</p> + +<p>In the course of my explorations ten rivers, which are, when +considered with reference to the other known ones of Western +Australia, of considerable importance, were discovered, some of +them being larger than any yet found in the south-west of this +continent; many smaller streams were also found.</p> + +<p>The larger rivers I have named:</p> + +<p>The Gascoyne,<br> +The Murchison,<br> +The Hutt,<br> +The Bowes,<br> +The Buller,<br> +The Chapman,<br> +The Greenough,<br> +The Irwin,<br> +The Arrowsmith,<br> +The Smith.</p> + +<p>Two mountain ranges were discovered; one at the northern +extremity of the Darling Range and about thirty miles to the +eastward of it, lofty and altogether differing in character from +the Darling, which at this point, where its direction is nearly +north and south, is called Moresby's Flat-topped Range.</p> + +<p>I have taken the liberty of naming this northern range, after +her most gracious Majesty, The Victoria Range; and the extensive +district of fertile country extending from its base to the sea, +and having a length of more than fifty miles in a north and south +direction, I have also named the Province of Victoria, trusting +that her Majesty will not object to bestow her name upon one of +the finest provinces in this her new, vast, and almost unknown +empire; and which, protected in its very birth and infancy by her +fostering hand, will doubtless ere long attain to no mean destiny +among the nations of the earth.</p> + +<p>The other range is thrown off in a westerly direction from the +Darling Range; it is about forty miles in length from north to +south, of a bare, sterile, and barren nature, and terminates +seaward in Mount Perron and Mount Lesueur; to this range I have +given the name of Gairdner's Range: it forms a very important +feature in the geography of this part of Australia.</p> + +<p>DISTRICTS OF BABBAGE AND VICTORIA.</p> + +<p>Three extensive districts of good country were also found in +the course of this expedition, the Province of Victoria, before +alluded to, the district of Babbage, and another adjacent to +Perth, to which I have not affixed a name.</p> + +<p>The district of Babbage is situated on and near the river +Gascoyne, which stream discharges itself in the central part of +the main that fronts Shark Bay, and may indeed almost be recorded +as the central point of the western coast of Australia; thus at +once occupying the most commanding position in Shark Bay and one +of the most interesting points on that coast; it is moreover the +key to a very fine district which is the only one in that vast +inlet that appears well adapted to the purposes of +colonization.</p> + +<p>COAST OF SHARK BAY.</p> + +<p>Immediately to the south of the southern mouth of this river +commences a line of shoals which at low-water are nearly dry, +extending to a distance of from two to four miles from the coast +and running with scarcely any intermission round the bay: except +at high-water it is therefore impossible to approach the greater +part of the coast, even in the smallest boat, unless by tracking +it over those flats, which proceeding is not unattended with +danger, for, if it comes on to blow at all hard, owing to the +shoalness of the water, the whole of them becomes a mass of +broken billows. I feel convinced it was owing to this +circumstance that the navigators who had previously visited this +bay left so large a portion of its coast unexplored.</p> + +<p>The shoals in the vicinity of the mouth of this river, as well +as those in the river itself, have many snags upon them; and on +the coast of Bernier Island, opposite to the main, we found the +remains of large trees which had been washed down the river and +had then been drifted across the bay. It was that circumstance +which first convinced me that a large river existed hereabouts, +and induced me so minutely to examine the coast.</p> + +<p>This occurrence of driftwood in the neighbourhood of large +rivers is a circumstance unknown upon the south-western shores of +this continent. I however observed it in Prince Regent's River +and other rivers to the north, as well as in the Arrowsmith. This +latter however is the most southern river in which I have +remarked it, and it certainly is an evidence of the existence of +timber of a much lighter description than has hitherto been known +in this part of the continent.</p> + +<p>MOUTHS OF THE GASCOYNE.</p> + +<p>The southern mouth of the Gascoyne is however completely free +from shoals, and has seven feet water on the bar at low tide. +There is also a channel in it which has never less than this +depth of water for about four miles from its mouth, after which +it is only navigable for small boats in the dry season, and that +merely for a short distance.</p> + +<p>The greatest difficulty which presents itself in entering the +southern mouth arises from what in America are termed snags, that +is, large trees, the roots of which are firmly planted in the bed +of the river, whilst the branches project up the stream, and are +likely to pierce any boat in its passage down. These snags are +however more to be feared at the time of high-water than at any +other period, for they have generally become fixed upon shoals as +they originally descended the river, and at low water can easily +be seen.</p> + +<p>The northern mouth of the Gascoyne is more difficult of +entrance than its southern one, being narrower and more shoal. I +still however think that at high water it could be entered by +small craft; but as my examination of it was hurried and +imperfect from our being pressed for provisions at the time I was +there, the opinion I have given above must be received with +caution.</p> + +<p>Our visit to this river took place at the close of a season +which had been preceded by the driest one known since the +occupation of the western coasts by Europeans. There was +consequently but little fresh water in the bed of the river, and +this only in small pools; but the breadth of its main channel +(for it sometimes had several) was where I measured it upwards of +three hundred yards, and this measurement was made in a part +which was by no means the widest.</p> + +<p>THE COUNTRY ADJACENT.</p> + +<p>The bed of the river was composed of fine white sand. The +country had a gentle slope from the interior, and no land of any +great elevation was visible from the farthest point I attained, +distant about fifteen miles from the coast.</p> + +<p>Plains of a rich reddish loam bordered the river on each side. +These were occasionally broken by low, gently-rounded hills, +composed of the same soil. Freshwater lagoons, frequented by +wild-fowl, were found in several places; and during the course of +my walks, which extended for several miles in various directions, +I saw no termination to this good land except on approaching the +sea, where the salt marshes always commenced; but along the +southern bank of the river, to the point where its mouth actually +disembogued into the open bay, the land was of a fertile +description: the country, even in the dry season, during which we +were there, being covered with rich grass.</p> + +<p>I ought here to state that this river is the most southern one +that I have ascertained to be deficient in that universal +characteristic of all those in the south-west of this continent: +an estuary. I must observe that I have not seen the mouths of +three or four of the rivers before enumerated, and cannot +therefore say that some of them may not terminate in estuaries; +but the Gascoyne discharges its waters by two mouths of +considerable magnitude, between which lies Babbage Island, the +southern mouth being in latitude 24 degrees 57 minutes.</p> + +<p>This is also the most southern river on the western side of +this continent where the rise and fall of tide is sufficiently +great to exercise any influence upon it relatively to the +purposes of navigation. Hence it would appear that the presence +of estuaries at the mouths of rivers on this coast is in some way +connected with the amount of tidal elevation at the points where +they are found. The rise and fall here was about five and a half +feet; but there is only one full tide in twenty-four hours. The +first tide rises to a certain point, and it has scarcely +commenced to ebb, ere the second comes slowly in, so that, to a +careless observer, only one tide is perceptible.</p> + +<p>PROVINCE OF VICTORIA.</p> + +<p>The province of Victoria is situated between the parallels of +27 degrees 30 minutes and 29 degrees 30 minutes south latitude; +its most considerable river is the Hutt, which disembogues into a +large estuary. A few miles above the estuary the river separates +into two branches, both of which were running strong at the time +we passed them.</p> + +<p>Previously to our reaching the Hutt our boats had all been +wrecked; I had therefore no opportunity of examining whether the +estuary of this river was navigable or not; from its size however +I should be inclined to the affirmative. The other principal +streams which drain this district are the Buller, and the +Murchison.</p> + +<p>One remarkable feature in the province of Victoria is that the +carboniferous series is here developed throughout a tract of +Western Australia extending in latitude from the bottom of +Geographe Bay to near Cape Cuvier, and which I have carefully +examined. The tract above alluded to is the only one in which I +have yet found the rocks belonging to this series: this +circumstance therefore imparts a very high degree of interest to +the district in question.</p> + +<p>Within a few weeks after my return from the province of +Victoria applications from settlers were made to the Government +of Western Australia to permit them to occupy a district which +had been so highly spoken of; this application was however +unsuccessful, but an expedition was subsequently sent there to +ascertain if there was a navigable entrance to the Hutt River. In +this object the expedition was unsuccessful, but the vessel +touched at the Abrolhos Islands and at some parts of the adjacent +coast, including Port Grey.*</p> + +<blockquote>(*Footnote. See above. [The coast to the eastward of +the Abrolhos has been since examined by H.M.'s surveying vessel +the Beagle, Captain Wickham, R.N., and while these sheets were +passing through the press an account of the survey of Port Grey, +under the appellation of Champion Bay, appeared in the Nautical +Magazine for July 1841 page 443, from which periodical it has +been copied into Appendix B at the end of this volume. +ED.])</blockquote> + +<p>MR. MOORE'S JOURNAL. MR. MOORE'S VOYAGE TO HOUTMAN'S ABROLHOS +AND PORT GREY.</p> + +<p>An account of some of the places visited was subsequently +published in the Perth Gazette, being contained in extracts from +the journal of G.F. Moore, Esquire, the Queen's Advocate at +Perth, who sailed with the expedition; and as Mr. Moore's +description contains several points of novelty and interest these +extracts are again transcribed below.</p> + +<p>EXPEDITION TO THE NORTHWARD.</p> + +<p>After Captain Grey had the misfortune to have his boats +wrecked in Gantheaume Bay, having started thence with his party +and walked to Perth, he reported that he had passed over +extensive tracts of fertile country in the neighbourhood of +Moresby's Flat-topped Range, where there are several rivers, one +of which (the largest) he had called the Hutt River, after His +Excellency the Governor. His Excellency having directed the +Champion schooner to proceed to explore the coast with a view to +ascertain whether there was any practicable entrance to the +river, and whether there was any harbour, shelter, or anchorage +in that neighbourhood, also what sort of anchorage there was +about the Houtman's Abrolhos, it appeared very desirable that +such an opportunity should be taken advantage of to obtain, at +the same time, as much information as circumstances would permit +as to the nature and quality of the soil and its general +capabilities with reference to its eligibility as a district to +be occupied by settlers. With this view G.F. Moore, Esquire, +embarked on the trip.</p> + +<p>DESCRIPTION OF THE ABROLHOS ISLANDS.</p> + +<p>The Abrolhos. Latitude by a good sight on shore, 288 degrees +45 minutes, subsequently corrected to 288 degrees 40 minutes.</p> + +<p>That part of the Abrolhos where we anchored seems to consist +of a number of small islets, perhaps 10 or 12, lying something in +the form of an irregularly shaped horse's shoe, extending for a +space of perhaps 20 miles in a north and south direction.</p> + +<p>These islets, which are raised only from 10 to 12 feet above +the level of the sea, are a mere mass of coral and shells with a +very small variety of plants struggling to establish themselves +upon some of them. I was rather surprised to find a few plants of +the common groundsel on one of the barest. It is not improbable +that these islets are upon the outer rim of the crater of a +volcano, and that not only the entire outer rim, but also a large +space, both interior and exterior, will eventually be elevated. +Nothing can exceed the beauty of the different sorts of coral as +seen under the clear smooth water. We broke of many specimens of +the branch- or tree-coral, which seemed to be in full vigour of +life and activity. These islets appear to be a favourite resort +of seals, many of which we saw, but of the sort called +hair-seals. The sailors knocked many of them upon the head with +clubs as they lay sleeping on the shores. One of these afforded +much sport, though rather of a barbarous sort if one had taken +time to think at all on the subject. Sleeping on the brink of a +small lagoon in the interior of one of these islands, he was +roused by the approaching footsteps of his enemy. Seeing the man +close to him, with upraised club over his head, he dropped into +the water. This was so shallow as not to protect him from the +stones that were hurled at him from all sides, and so small that +he was completely surrounded. Finding his retreat cut off he +boldly stood up and seemed deliberately to scan the most +practicable mode of breaking his way through us all, but he was +so incessantly plied with stones as entirely to distract him. +When a well-aimed blow struck him he wreaked his vengeance on the +stone, and, diving after it to the bottom, gnashed upon it with +his teeth. At last a gun was brought by one of the party and a +well-directed shot under the ear laid him dead. Rock oysters of a +large size and delicious flavour were found in great abundance. +Range of thermometer 67 to 82 degrees.</p> + +<p>On Sunday the 12th continued to explore the several islands; +unable to land upon the first we approached on account of a reef +which ran all round it. This was one which lay at the north-east +extremity of the Horseshoe. It was high and sandy, but with some +vegetation on the surface, and we saw many large seals sleeping +on the sandy beach. After this, visited five or six in +succession, all of the same formation, some being mere masses of +loose coral and dead shells.</p> + +<p>SINGULAR CORAL FORMATIONS.</p> + +<p>In passing from island to island we had many opportunities of +observing the different formation and shape of several species of +coral; some stood in masses of the brain-stone and cockscomb +coral, some like petrified sponge, some like fans, some again of +the branch-coral interlaced and intertwined in every direction; +again, some broad flat masses lying layer over layer, like huge +sea-lichens, again many presented the appearance of a fungus or +great sea-mushroom, with a broad-spreading head springing from a +small thick base. It is not a little singular that many of the +growing islets which are nearly level with the surface of the +water have a similar form, not rising from the bottom with a +perpendicular side, but with broad overhanging heads resting upon +a small base. In many places we passed over some of these +isolated sea-mushrooms, upon which there was barely water for a +small boat, where one step over the ledge would be in the deep +sea, and you might see the hollows underneath as if looking under +an umbrella. Birds were abundant on most of the isles, and on two +of them were hawks' nests, raised to the height of four feet by +an accumulation of sticks, stones, and shells. This day there was +but little breeze; the thermometer ranged from 76 to 86 +degrees.</p> + +<p>COAST UNDER THE MENAI HILLS.</p> + +<p>Saturday morning January 25.</p> + +<p>Stood in close along the shore opposite to the Table Hill and +the Menai Hills, and examined the coast from the rigging. There +are two openings of rivers laid down in the chart, that to the +south being the larger, and both nearly abreast of Table Hill and +only a few miles distant from one another; and besides these +Captain Grey had marked down in another chart a considerable +river, with a large estuary, close to the north of the Menai +Hills, which he had called the Hutt River. As we were just on +that part of the coast where all these are laid down we were the +more anxious and eager. We saw three openings on the west range, +but in truth very small, and after anchoring nearly opposite to +the northern one we went in the boat directly for it. There was a +continuous sandy beach the whole way across it, and the surf was +running high, so that it was not very easy to land.</p> + +<p>LAND ON THE COAST.</p> + +<p>Just as we were considering about how to effect a landing we +observed a number of natives on the hills and behind the beach, +evidently watching our motions. As we stood along the beach, +looking for a landing-place, they followed and became more bold; +they shouted and made gestures, which were certainly not like +those of encouragement; but still as we pulled on, they followed, +till we counted forty-nine men, but they appeared to have left +their spears behind them. Finding this, we thought it well to +parley with them, when we backed in close to the shore, holding +up our hands making signs of peace, and calling out in the Swan +River language that we were friends and would give them bread. I +flung apiece of biscuit on the beach, and some waded into the +water and threw in their fur belts and other ornaments, when we +commenced a system of barter immediately. They had no spears and +few throwing sticks; nor had they with them either cloaks, or +hammers, or shields, or any other weapon that we could see. They +seemed to like the bread very much, for they followed us for many +miles, still making signs to land, but the surf was so high we +could not venture in the face of so many of them. At last, having +passed the opening of the second river, and having come to a +smooth place, I jumped out upon the beach and was soon followed +by the Captain.</p> + +<p>INTERVIEW WITH NATIVES.</p> + +<p>They evinced a considerable deal of uneasiness at first, and +looked with much jealousy at the gun as something suspicious. +They wished me to part with it, but I sat down and intimated that +I would keep it on the ground beside me. I addressed them in the +Swan River native language, and they spoke much in return, but I +must say that our language seemed to be mutually unintelligible. +At last, by watching their mode of intonation, and accommodating +myself to their dialect, I managed to succeed a little better. In +this way they understood my inquiries for water, and their answer +at last was precisely in the Swan River language, "Gaipbi jeral," +(water to the north.) Their great anxiety at first seemed to be +to know whether we were women. In answer I pointed to our beards, +when they pulled their beards and said, "Nanya patta," by which +name I have heard it called at Swan River also. Then they pointed +to some young lads in the boat and asked were they women. No; I +said they were "golambiddy" (boys) which they seemed to +understand. I saw them eating the fruit of the mesembryanthemum +(the Hottentot fig) but they did not understand either of the +names used for it at Swan River, golboys, or mejaruk. They called +it by a different name. After a little they volunteered to take +us to water, and we walked along the beach with them, clustering +about us with a show of friendship that was even more familiar +than agreeable. One of them repeatedly asked me were we dead? at +least so I understood him. At length we approached the opening of +the river, in which they indicated the water to be, but how were +our great hopes disappointed when they led us to a little hole +scraped in the bed of the river containing about a pint of water. +We afterwards saw several other holes of the same sort with more +or less water in them; and it will be well to bear in mind that +some of these were not fifty yards from the beach, and it is +quite possible that if they were dug out a good supply of water +might be obtained.</p> + +<p>ADVANCE INTO THE COUNTRY.</p> + +<p>They then wished us to go up the valley of the river with +them, but we ascended a high hill to the north side, being +desirous of getting a view and in hopes of seeing the large +estuary pencilled on the chart by Captain Grey. From this hill we +had an extensive view of all the country to the west and north of +the Menai Hills. The whole face of the country looked grassy, and +thinly sprinkled over with what may be acacias, probably the +mangart, or raspberry-jam-scented wood, as it had just that +appearance, and a kily which we had got from the natives in the +morning was made of that wood. But there was not even a drop of +water visible, nor any sign of a large river, though this is just +the position assigned to the Hutt River; but certainly it is +quite possible that nearer the source of these rivers there may +be larger reservoirs and more water, which may be to a great +degree absorbed before it reaches the sea, as we find this to be +the case with many of the rivers of this country. In the meantime +the natives seemed dissatisfied about our going on the hills, and +offended, and were very importunate with us to go down to the low +grounds in the valley. "Koa yeka" ("Come this way," as I +understood it) was their constant call; and when at last we did +consent, as we were going down the side of a steep, rocky +limestone hill, I could not help feeling that we were very much +in their power. Looking round suddenly upon one occasion I +observed a man making gestures with his feet at the head of the +Captain, as if showing to the rest how he could knock him down +easily. The man seemed uneasy at being detected, but I laughed it +off as a joke, which probably it was after all; but their manner +seemed to have changed considerably. When we arrived at the level +ground they became very urgent that we should "sit down in the +shade," "maloka nineka" (a Swan River man would say "malok +nginnow"). They caught hold of us and pulled us, and wanted very +much to get the guns from us. Thinking it most prudent to return +to the boat we turned with that intention, when they did +everything they could, short of using force, to prevent us. They +stood in our way, they caught us in their arms, they pushed us, +they tried to snatch or seize our guns, but we persisted steadily +and good-humouredly to make our way back towards the boat. One +old man wished me to approach the brink of the high ground +overlooking the bed of the river, but seeing that it was a +perpendicular precipice to which he was leading, or rather +pushing me, I suddenly clasped him with one arm and walked away +from it, at which the rest set up a shout of laughter. His +intentions may have been perfectly friendly but I certainly did +not feel confident that they were so. I intimated that when we +got to the boat we should give them some more bread; and I felt +that the knowledge that the bread was in the boat was likely to +be very much in our favour and to contribute mainly to our +safety. My fear was that they had sent for their spears and +wished to detain us till they came. However we arrived at the +beach where the boat was standing outside of the surf waiting for +us.</p> + +<p>RETURN TO THE VESSEL.</p> + +<p>On our return to the ship I proposed that we should now touch +at the more northern river where we were deterred from landing by +their first appearance. We went therefore to the mouth of the +river, which is completely blocked up by sandhills, with two or +three small gaps through which water appeared to have made its +way at some time; but the entire of the bed of the river, which +was only a few yards wide, was covered with growing samphire. +There were two or three small pools of very salt water above +this, but no fresh water visible. We took a hasty view from a +high sandhill. The interior, where we could see anything of it, +looked grassy, and there was some grass even on the sandhills +near the beach; but our view was very limited and hurried. We had +no sooner returned to the boat than we saw a party coming along +the beach about a quarter of a mile away, and another party on +the top of the hill above, where we first saw them and where we +supposed their weapons to have been left. They shouted, we went +on board.</p> + +<p>SAIL TO THE SOUTHWARD. PORT GREY.</p> + +<p>Sunday morning.</p> + +<p>Weighed anchor and stood to the south to examine a bay +opposite the southern part of Moresby's Flat-topped Range. This +bay, which is not laid down in the charts, was found to be an +excellent anchorage, completely sheltered from all southerly +winds, which are the prevailing winds on this coast at this time +of the year, and also much protected by a reef running north and +south from the extreme point of the bay. This reef or bank was +found to have from three to five fathoms upon it, and within it +there was seven fathoms, even near to the shore, at the bottom of +the bay; and there is no appearance of any heavy sea or violent +action of the water on the beach at any time of the year.*</p> + +<blockquote>(*Footnote. The report of this bay by the Master of +the Champion is as follows: 26th January 1840. Anchored in a bay +not laid down in the charts, lying in latitude 28 degrees 50 +minutes, the north land bearing north-north-west, and the south +point south-west. A reef breaks off the point, the north part of +which bore west-south-west; but it extends far more to the north, +and breaks, I presume, in bad weather. The reefs extend also a +great way to the westward of this point. We anchored about half a +mile from the shore in seven fathoms water, and about three miles +from the head of the bay. The soundings are exceedingly even for +five miles, carrying seven fathoms, never varying: just before, +we carried four and five, when, I think, we passed over the reef, +which appears to me to join the main at that distance from the +south-west point. The beach does not show the least sign of any +sea. Found two posts stuck up in it. I consider this bay an +excellent anchorage during summer; and, I think, from the +appearance of the beach, it must be safe in winter.)</blockquote> + +<p>SEA VIEW OF AUSTRALIND. APPEARANCE OF THE COUNTRY.</p> + +<p>To the south of the tongue of land which forms the bay there +is also another bay, which would be completely sheltered from all +northerly winds so as to combine between the two bays perfect +shelter at all seasons of the year. From the deck of the schooner +where she lay we had a view of the entire slope of ground from +the beach to the top of the range, about five or six miles +distant. The range seems to consist of isolated hills rising from +an elevated plain. Judging by the eye at that distance, the +entire space as far as we had any opportunity of seeing, after +going a little way back from the coast, on the slope to the +hills, upon the hills, among the hills, beyond the hills, and, in +short, everywhere, as far as the eye could discern, appeared a +grassy country, thinly sprinkled with some low trees or shrubs, +perhaps the acacia. If this be the case, and that there be water +sufficient, of which there is no reason to doubt, this may +certainly turn out to be the finest district for sheep pasture +that this colony can possess. What may be the breadth of this +district, how far it may extend into the interior, of course +nothing can be known or said; but from what I have now seen, and +from what Captain Grey has seen on a former occasion, there is +little doubt that it extends north and south from the northern +part of the Menai Hills as far south as the River Arrowsmith, a +distance of more than 80 miles. To the south of that river comes +the range of hills which Captain Grey has called Gairdner's +Range, and which is supposed to be the northern termination of +the Darling Range; if so it is very probable that, by keeping on +the east side of the Darling Range a continuation of pastoral +country might be found all the way to Moresby's Flat-topped +Range. In coming to our anchorage this morning we passed the +opening of another river, that which is laid down in Captain +King's charts as the largest. From what we saw of it I do not +think that much water can issue from it either, although its bed +looked larger and better defined than any we had seen hitherto. +The man from the mast-head said he saw the sandy beach all across +it. But the Captain, being anxious to examine the anchorage in +the bay, did not wish to come to anchor sooner, so we passed on, +perhaps 10 or 12 miles to the south of it. Just as they were +about to let go the small anchor, which had been used since the +first was broken, it was discovered that it also was broken +nearly through, so we had to drop a large and heavy one, being +the only one now remaining in the ship. We then landed in the +boat, and saw two pieces of ship's timbers set up in the sand of +the beach, about half a mile from each other. Dug and examined +under and about the largest of them in hopes of finding some +directions, probably about fresh water, but found none. Examined +a place where the tea-tree and wattles were very green and +luxuriant looking; it appeared like a swamp in winter, but quite +dry now. Was struck by the singularity of some tea-trees growing, +of a large size, both up the sides and on the tops of high +sandhills, but which appeared to rest upon limestone. Got a view +to the east and south of the range. The country presented the +same appearance as before. It must be remarked that the grass was +all parched and withered and of a yellow straw colour; and it was +from this colour principally that we judged of its existence on +the distant grounds. Those who have once seen tracts of withered +grass will not readily mistake its appearance; but the green of +the shrubs was extremely vivid. One observation which we had +repeated occasion to make was the constant heavy dews which fell +at night on this coast, rendering everything about the ship quite +wet. The wind was off the land. The country all around seemed to +be on fire in the morning. The thermometer, as I stood on the +deck, was 94 degrees. In the evening the wind came round to the +north-west, and, desirous of availing ourselves of such a +favourable breeze, we got on board and set sail, but were obliged +to stand well out to sea to clear the reefs. Towards night it +fell calm again, and there was some lightning in the north.</p> + +<hr align="center" width="25%"> +<p>DISTRICT IMMEDIATELY TO THE NORTH OF SWAN RIVER.</p> + +<p>The third district lies immediately to the north of Perth. It +contains four rivers:</p> + +<p>The Norcott,<br> +The Moore,<br> +The Smith,<br> +The Hill.</p> + +<p>The Norcott and Moore Rivers, about fifty miles to the north +of Perth, were before known; and about twenty-five miles to the +north of Moore River is the Smith. The Hill comes out of +Gairdner's Range, the natural northern limit of this district, +which is connected with Perth by a chain of freshwater lakes, the +greatest distance between any two of them being not more than +from five to six miles. The whole of this district is therefore +fit for location, and affords a gratifying proof that the +flourishing colony of the Swan is by no means deficient in good +and immediately available land.</p> + +<p>The circumstance also of this district being so abundantly +supplied with water, even at the end of an uncommonly dry season, +which was the period I traversed it in, much enhances its value. +It must, as the number of horned stock in the colony of Western +Australia increases, be the first occupied; for it is nearer to a +market than any other open to location, and affords both water +and food for cattle in good supply.</p> + +<p><a name="chapter7"></a></p> + +<h2>CHAPTER 7. VOYAGE HOMEWARDS.</h2> + +<p>Before quitting the Mauritius, in August 1838, I had written +to the Secretary of State for the Colonies, reporting my +intention to proceed to the Swan River, and then, as +circumstances might guide me, either to return from thence at +once to the north-west coast, or, should that not be feasible, to +await further instructions from England; adding that, in the +latter event, I should attempt in the meantime to pass the range +to the north-east of the Swan, and endeavour to ascertain in what +direction the streams thrown off from this range towards the +interior might flow.</p> + +<p>I have already stated the incidents that prevented me from +following out the first of these plans, as well as those which +led me to adopt the project of the voyage to Shark Bay in lieu of +an inland journey such as the second; and now that this last +expedition was brought to a close I had yet to await, for some +time, the answer to my communication from the Mauritius, which +was to guide my future proceedings. The interval between my +return to Perth and the period at which a reply might be expected +appeared too short to allow of my carrying out any comprehensive +plan of exploration, and I therefore resolved to employ it in +endeavouring to extend my knowledge of the native character and +language, as well as of the general position and prospects of the +colony.</p> + +<p>At this time, the death of Sir Robert Spencer, the Government +Resident at King George's Sound, having caused a vacancy in that +appointment, I was induced, at the offer of Mr. Hutt, to assume +the temporary duties, with a two-fold desire of rendering what +public services I could during my unavoidable period of inaction +in the country, as well as of enlarging my opportunities of +observation on the aboriginal race.</p> + +<p>In these occupations I remained, until the receipt of a reply +from the Secretary of State, which, after speaking in terms of +flattering approbation of my past exertions, notified that, for +the present, Her Majesty's Ministers did not think it desirable +that the researches in the north-west should be prosecuted +further.</p> + +<p>PREPARE TO RETURN TO ENGLAND.</p> + +<p>On the receipt of this I made preparations for returning to +England, but, no favourable opportunity offering from the western +settlements, as soon as I was relieved from my duties as +Resident, I embarked for South Australia in the hope of obtaining +from thence a more speedy passage than the other colony seemed +likely to afford.</p> + +<p>After a short stay at Adelaide I finally sailed for England on +the 11th April 1840, and reached this country in September +following.</p> + +<p>NATURAL HISTORY.</p> + +<p>The leisure of the voyage afforded me the means of making some +additions to my former observations on the Natural History of the +seas we traversed, the chief results of which will be briefly +given in this chapter, together with some casual observations +which I was enabled to make on the Geology of St. Helena in +consequence of the vessel touching there.</p> + +<p>June 2 1840. At sea: south latitude 20 degrees 0 minutes; east +longitude 58 degrees 47 minutes 15 seconds.</p> + +<p>I caught a species of shrimp (Penaeus) of a delicate prussian +blue colour, which was more brilliant at the extremities, and +gradually paled towards the centre of the animal. There was not +the slightest shade of any other colour about it, but it turned +pink in some places directly it was put into spirits; it had four +anterior and four posterior legs on each side.</p> + +<p>Total length 1.45 inches.<br> +Length of apparatus on head 0.17 inches.<br> +Length of tail 0.25 inches.<br> +Head and connected apparatus 0.52 inches.<br> +Tail and body to commencement of first ring 0.48 inches.</p> + +<p>June 13. South latitude 27 degrees 4 minutes; east longitude +47 degrees 38 minutes 15 seconds.</p> + +<p>A species of animal (Alima hyalina ?) was caught resembling a +scorpion, having six legs, three on each side; the first pair of +legs were provided with claws, like a lobster; its tail exactly +resembled that of a scorpion; the sac or bag near the extremity +of the tail was of a light red colour, and it tried to strike +with its tail, as if for the purpose of stinging. Eyes pale blue, +and prominent; body nearly diaphanous, with pale red spots.</p> + +<p>Total length 0.33 inches.<br> +Length of body 0.20 inches.<br> +Breadth across from eye to eye 0.13 inches.<br> +Breadth of body 0.14 inches.</p> + +<p>Several of the animals which I supposed to be the Velella of +Lamarck, and some of which had been caught on the 11th of +November 1837 were also found today. Caught also a species of +animal which I had found on October 22 1837, in south latitude 37 +degrees 44; east longitude 38 minutes; and again on November 12 +1837, in south latitude 30 degrees 11 minutes; east longitude 100 +degrees 31 minutes 30 seconds. It resembles in shape and size a +large grape.</p> + +<p>Extreme length 0.5 inches. Breadth 0.45 inches. Total +circumference round broadest part 1.30 inches.</p> + +<p>Colour brownish blue; but there were round it twenty very +narrow brownish yellow stripes, equidistant from each other, and +not quite reaching either extremity of the animal.</p> + +<p>June 16. South latitude 28 degrees 46 minutes; east longitude +42 degrees 3 minutes.</p> + +<p>We caught an animal this afternoon somewhat resembling a +shrimp (Erichthus vitreus)* covered with a shield: we had caught +a similar one on the 12th of November 1837. From measurements +taken from the living animal the dimensions were:</p> + +<p>Length from tip of tail to tip of spine, in front of head 1.15 +inches.<br> +Ditto of spine 0.23 inches.<br> +Ditto from tip of tail to bottom of last scale 0.2 inches.<br> +Ditto from tip of spear to end of shield 0.7 inches.</p> + +<p>The temperature of the water at 6 P.M. was 71 degrees +Fahrenheit; of the air 74 degrees.</p> + +<blockquote>(*Footnote. See Illustration 8 volume +1.)</blockquote> + +<p>The shield was perfectly air-coloured and diaphanous, and +extended for some distance beyond the head and the upper parts of +the body; the body itself was of a pale delicate blue, and it +threw a very light bluish tinge upon the shield; the eyes were +jet black, and placed at the end of a tube like those of the +lobster; the tip of the spear was of a light red colour. Caught +also this day the lower portion of a species of Diphyes, the same +I had found on the 13th of November 1837 in south latitude 30 +degrees 7; east longitude 100 degrees 50 minutes 10 seconds. The +total length of this was 0.5 inches.</p> + +<p>Caught also two minute animals resembling a species of shrimp +(Penaeus); colour of both pale blue. The tail of the largest when +examined in a microscope precisely resembled in appearance the +fin of a fish. I did not examine the smaller one. Dimensions of +the largest:</p> + +<p>Total length 0.2 inches.<br> +Length of feelers 0.15 inches.</p> + +<p>Of smallest:</p> + +<p>Total length 0.13 inches.</p> + +<p>When put into eau-de-cologne these animals changed to a pink +colour.</p> + +<p>June 17. South latitude 29 degrees 19 minutes; east longitude +40 degrees 19 minutes.</p> + +<center> +<p><a name="grey2-03"></a><img alt="" src="images/grey2-03.jpg"></p> + +<p><b>3. Glaucus, Sp.</b></p> +</center> + +<p>Caught a specimen of Glaucus.</p> + +<p>Total length 0.35 inches.</p> + +<p>Colour down the back deep indigo blue; stomach bluish white; +sides bluish white (silvery) like a frog; tail tapering to a +point; its head resembled that of a frog, and when out of the +water it sat on its tentaculae, and raised its head and the fore +part of its body, moving its head (a) from side to side; the +tentaculae were all so delicate that they fell off, it had +apparently eight on each extremity; it belonged to the same +family as the animal I caught on the 14th of November 1837, in +south latitude 29 degrees 26 minutes; east longitude 101 degrees +32 minutes.*</p> + +<blockquote>(*Footnote. See Illustration 10 volume +1.)</blockquote> + +<p>June 23. South latitude 32 degrees 53 minutes; east longitude +29 degrees 45 minutes 15 seconds.</p> + +<p>We for the first time saw Cape Pigeons and the Albatross.</p> + +<p>June 27. ) South latitude 35 degrees 41 minutes; east +longitude 25 degrees 13 minutes 20. June 28. ) South latitude 35 +degrees 15 minutes; east longitude 23 degrees 26 minutes.</p> + +<p>Upon these two days we were in a rapid current, which we +entered on the morning of the 27th, and on neither could we see +the slightest signs of any of the acalepha class; but on the +29th, on which day we experienced no current, we found the +greatest abundance of these animals; it appeared as if they had +collected in large quantities at the edges of the current; and on +the western side of it we found many animals which I had not seen +on the opposite one.</p> + +<p>June 29. South latitude 35 degrees 31 minutes; east longitude +22 degrees 20 minutes 30 seconds.</p> + +<p>The specimens caught were a minute fish, 0.35 inch in length; +colour, back and upper half of sides, deep indigo; belly and +lower half of sides, silver colour. Also two sorts of barnacles +(Anatifa) which I got near the side of the vessel.</p> + +<p>We caught today a great number of the animals (Glaucus) I have +mentioned above as having been taken on the 17th of June, as well +as on other occasions. I observed these animals in the water, and +found that their long silk-like antennae had, when uninjured, a +length of five or six inches; they swim with the rounded part +first, and the long antennae trailing after them like tails; the +progressive motion is produced by introducing water into certain +sacs, or cavities, and expelling it by a contraction of the +muscles with great violence. I observed their motions from a boat +at first, and afterwards when they were in a glass of water. I +counted the number of times they expelled water in a given time +when swimming, and found the mean of several observations by a +chronometer to give ten strokes in twelve and a half seconds.</p> + +<p>We caught again many little animals which I had found on the +15th of October 1837; south latitude 37 degrees 28 minutes, east +longitude 21 degrees 19 minutes; they were shaped like an +octagonal crystal, terminating in a point, containing a brilliant +blue colouring matter, they were about 0.4 inches in length, and +were, when undisturbed, arranged in long strings, only the length +of a single animal in thickness, and of the breadth of two of +them abreast; they swam with the blue-pointed ends downwards, +which then looked at a distance like the legs of a caterpillar, +and the long string somewhat resembled a long gelatinous band in +appearance as it passed through the water; but directly it was +touched the animals separated themselves from one another. These +strings were sometimes seen several feet in length.</p> + +<p>We caught large quantities of these animals at one time, and +found:</p> + +<p>The temperature of the water 65 degrees Fahrenheit.<br> +The temperature of the air 75 degrees Fahrenheit.<br> +The temperature of the animals 66 degrees Fahrenheit.</p> + +<p>We caught also a fish (Orthogariscus) which the seamen called +a devil-fish.</p> + +<p>The length of it was 6 feet 2 inches.<br> +Breadth from fin to fin 3 feet 6 inches.<br> +Length from tip of nose to pectoral fin 2 feet.<br> +Thickness through the breast 1 foot 6 inches.</p> + +<p>This fish was infested about its nose with a kind of parasite +(Lernaea) having two long thin tails. The sailors stated that +these animals frequently cause large sores about the nose of the +fish, and that when suffering from this, it will allow the +sea-birds to sit on it, and peck away at the affected part. The +habit of the fish is to swim during calms with one of the hind +fins out of water, and it is then harpooned from a boat. I have +myself seen petrels perched upon them; and directly one of these +fish was hoisted on board the sailors looked for the parasites +and found them. Their dimensions were:</p> + +<p>Total length 1.0 inch.<br> +Length of tails 0.57 inches.<br> +Ditto of fore part of body 0.25 inches.<br> +Ditto of hind part of body 0.15 inches.<br> +Breadth across body 0.25 inches.</p> + +<p>They were covered with a transparent shell, marked with grey +spots and lines; the hind part of the body, near the tail, being +darker than the fore part, as though the intestines were seated +there. These little creatures adhered strongly to any substance +that they were laid on, and caused an irritating feeling to the +skin if placed on it; they swam with great rapidity when put into +seawater, and in their movements in swimming much resembled a +tadpole; their tails were merely long transparent fibres.</p> + +<p>We caught also several transparent bodies, shaped like a +balloon (Beroe ?) These consisted merely of a sac. At the flat +end of the spheroid was a small ring of a pink colour, from which +ran lines forming the ribs, which supported the sides of the +animal. There were eight of these: they possessed great +irritability, and if the animal was at all injured, a rapid and +continued motion was propagated all along them. Some of these +animals were between two and three inches in length, but they +were so delicate that it was impossible to examine them, for they +fell to pieces directly they were touched. Only one of these ribs +was, at times, affected at the same moment, so that they appeared +each to be capable of an independent movement.</p> + +<p>We caught also many small insects, and some shrimp-like +animals.</p> + +<p>The sea was full of some things resembling hairs, but which +broke the moment they were touched.</p> + +<p>On this evening we placed a large number of acalepha in a +bucket, and on agitating the water it became a mass of +phosphorescent light. It is strange that these animals should +never emit this light without being irritated.</p> + +<p>July 1. South latitude 35 degrees 51 minutes; east longitude +18 degrees 56 minutes; average temperature of water, 65 +degrees.</p> + +<p>This day many specimens of different kinds were taken; and +amongst them a shellfish (Hyalea) the same as that caught on the +13th November 1837, in south latitude 30 degrees 7 minutes; east +longitude 100 degrees 50 minutes 10 seconds. This fish today put +out the apparatus with which it swam. It consisted of two broad +transparent wings, shaped like the first pair of wings of a +butterfly, and which it moved in a precisely similar manner. Its +shell was of a delicate pale transparent brown colour, with a jet +black spot in the centre. (See Illustration 6 volume 1 Figure 1.) +We also caught an animal of a precisely similar form and colour +with this, but which was not provided with a shell.</p> + +<p>The other specimens were:</p> + +<p>1. A shell (Janthina)* the same as was caught on November 14 +1837, and on several other occasions, with its swimming apparatus +attached.</p> + +<blockquote>(*Footnote. The corresponding figure, Illustration 9 +volume 1, should have been inverted.)</blockquote> + +<center> +<p><a name="grey2-03a"></a><img alt="" src="images/grey2-03a.jpg"></p> + +<p><b>3a. Janthina.</b></p> +</center> + +<p>2. Several of the small shells which resemble belemnites +(Creseis) which were first taken on the 14th November 1837. I +this day preserved one of these with its swimming apparatus +expanded.</p> + +<p>3. An animal without a shell, which had a sort of transparent +horny covering, and when alarmed and not in motion folded itself +up.</p> + +<p>4. A tube 3.2 inches in length, perfectly transparent, and +swelling out to a little knob at each extremity; but these knobs +were of the same colour as the body.</p> + +<p>5. Some delicate white shells (Atalanta) or very hard +gelatinous animals, 0.2 inches in length, 0.2 wide, and 0.15 +thick; they had three ridges of short spines on them, one down +each edge, and one ridge running down the centre of the shell or +back.</p> + +<p>6. Some perfectly spherical transparent bodies, 0.18 inches in +diameter; these neither moved nor showed any signs of life when +placed in salt water, but another animal, exactly resembling them +in shape and colour, with the exception of having some light +brown spots on it, unrolled itself like a wood-louse, and then +swam nimbly about. They all turned as white as eggs soon after +they were put into spirits.</p> + +<p>We caught also several species of an animal with two +tentaculae, which had been also taken on the 17th June, some of +these were very large and beautiful, being of the most delicate +amber colour.</p> + +<p>Also many different sorts of medusa, particularly tubes of +about 0.5 inches in length, with an apparatus shaped like a +proboscis at one extremity of it. These I have not attempted to +describe. In general the animals we caught this day differed +altogether from those we had hitherto found during this voyage. +Some few were the same, but the great majority were new.</p> + +<p>Many of the medusae and small gelatinous animals must be +endowed with very acute sensibilities and perceptions, for they +evinced extreme timidity if any substance approached them, and +when plunged alive into spirits, their rapid movements and +violent contortions repeatedly indicated acute pain; indeed so +clearly that on this point there could be no mistake.</p> + +<p>A mass of gelatinous animals, caught this day, gave out a +slight electric shock. Some of them were shaped like the portions +of an orange, and they evidently were formed to fit into one +another in the manner in which they were found, although they +separated directly they were touched.</p> + +<p>July 2. South latitude 35 degrees 58 minutes; east longitude +17 degrees 54 minutes.</p> + +<p>This day the ship went so fast that we could not catch +anything. The acalephae were not so numerous as they had been +further to the north, but we saw more and larger medusae than I +had ever before remarked. It indeed appeared as if the acalephae +diminished and the medusae increased in number after passing the +36th degree of south latitude.</p> + +<p>July 12. ) South latitude 23 degrees 2 minutes; east longitude +0 degrees 26 minutes 45 seconds. July 13. ) South latitude 21 +degrees 55 minutes; west longitude 0 degrees 44 minutes.</p> + +<p>The vessel went slowly through the water, but although the net +was kept towing we could catch nothing, and there was no +appearance of anything being in the sea.</p> + +<p>July 14. South latitude 20 degrees 52 minutes; west longitude +1 degree 49 minutes.</p> + +<p>This day we caught a Velella of the following dimensions:</p> + +<p>Length of interior cartilage 1.1 inches.<br> +Breadth of interior cartilage 0.5 inches.<br> +Total length of blue base 1.7 inches.<br> +Breadth of blue base 1.0 inches.<br> +Height of centre of crest 0.5 inches.<br> +Rim round crest, in breadth 0.55 inches.</p> + +<p>This animal differed from those caught on the 11th November +1837, in the following particulars: It was much larger. The base +of the animal consisted of two parts. The centre portion was an +elliptically-formed cartilage, elevated in the centre, and marked +with eighteen concentric striae, which became thinner and thinner +as they approached the centre. No striae were visible on the +elevated crest with which the animal swims, but this crest was +furnished or fringed with a thin moveable flap, 0.55 inches in +breadth, which ran quite round it. The animal has the power of +flapping this to and fro constantly, as a fish does its tail.</p> + +<p>The outer portion of the base was of a pale prussian blue +colour, increasing in depth of shade both to the outer and inner +edges. Many minute black spots were dotted all over this. The +underside of the outer base was of a very dark prussian blue +colour, and its lower interior edge was furnished with rows of +blue tentaculae, which the animal uses as an elephant does its +trunk. The whole interior surface of the oval cartilage is +furnished with successive rows of white tentaculae, and in the +centre is a long thin white tube, apparently its mouth.</p> + +<p>These animals always swim in company. You see a number +together, varying from four or five to twenty or thirty; these +are all within a few feet of one another, and you may then pass +over several miles and not see any more.</p> + +<p>They produce countless numbers of little eggs, of a pale brown +colour; these are apparently deposited from the interior white +tentaculae, and cannot be estimated they are so numerous.</p> + +<p>We also caught a minute fish, 0.6 inches in length; a minute +species of nautilus, blue, marked with striae, or grooved, and +thus different from what we caught on the 15th; a shrimp-like +species of animal 0.5 inches in length; the lower part of a +species of Diphyes, which had been caught on the 12th and 13th of +November 1837; some minute animals, appearing to be the young of +the larger species of Velella which we had taken; they were, like +this animal, at first blue, but turned red soon after being put +into spirits; also a very minute pale blue species of nautilus, I +think the young of the kind we caught on the 15th July.</p> + +<p>Caught a number of gelatinous animals, differing however +apparently in species from any we had found before. Some were of +the family of crystal-shaped animals with blue spots, so often +mentioned in this journal; also several animals of the family +figured June 17th, but which differed from them in the colour of +their spots. We caught today a Portuguese man of war (Physalis) +of a very different species from those which we had taken in the +Indian ocean. This one had a much larger sac, or float, than the +others, and the float was furnished with a crest.</p> + +<p>July 15. South latitude 20 degrees 20 minutes; west longitude +2 degrees 17 minutes.</p> + +<p>The same animals mentioned in the last paragraph of July 14th +were again caught this day. A great number of the Velella were +also taken.</p> + +<p>Caught a small fish:</p> + +<p>Length 1.2 inches.<br> +Breadth over roundest part 0.48 inches.</p> + +<p>For a particular description, and figure of a finer specimen, +see below. The mouth and eyes of this fish were placed in a +curious manner. Its food appeared to be the same as that of the +other fish taken this day.</p> + +<p>Caught two curious little crabs (Nautilograpsus) one pale +blue, and the other of a pale pink colour: also, another little +pale blue crab:</p> + +<p>Length of antennae 0.15 inches.<br> +Length of body 0.34 inches.<br> +Breadth of ditto 0.12 inches.</p> + +<p>Caught a small animal shaped like a wood-louse (Cymothoa) +having nine rings apparent on the back, and I think seven legs on +each side, also, a tail-like fin on each side, which, when closed +under its belly, formed a sort of shield for the lower part of +the abdomen. Antennae, transparent with pale brown tips, and a +few pale brown spots in them, colour pale blue down centre of the +back, dark prussian blue on each side. It had the power of +rolling itself up nearly double; in the same manner as a +wood-louse, but not quite so close; eyes distinct and prominent. +It lived a long time out of water, and appeared to me exactly +like an animal I caught on the 21st November 1837, in south +latitude 24 degrees 19 minutes; east longitude 107 degrees 8 +minutes.</p> + +<p>We also this day caught a Janthina. They have a little valve +for the purpose of taking in air, with which to expand their +float. These animals go in company. They emit when touched a +brilliant scarlet dye. A similar animal caught on the 20th +November 1837, in south latitude 25 degrees 12 minutes; east +longitude 106 degrees 49 minutes, emitted a violet-coloured dye. +The emission of this evidently depends upon their being +irritated, as I found by many experiments.</p> + +<p>The method in which this animal fills its float is curious, it +throws it back, and gradually lifts the lip of the valve out of +water, until the valve stands vertical, it then closes the valve +tightly round a globule of air, around which it folds, by means +of the most complex and delicate machinery. The valve is then +bent over until it touches the edge of the float nearest the +head, and when it is in this position, the portion of it which is +inflated with air looks like a bladder, the air gradually is +expelled into the float, and as this process takes place the +bladder in the valve diminishes, and the valve becomes by degrees +like a lip pushed forwards until it lies flat on the float. The +valve is composed of two portions, a cup and a lip. The time +occupied from first removing the valve from the float, until the +inflation, and the expulsion of air into the float being +completed, so that the valve begins to move again, is 61 seconds, +from the mean of several experiments.</p> + +<p>These animals have also the power of compressing the valve +into a hollow tube, which they elevate above the water like a +funnel, and draw down air through it.</p> + +<p>The colouring matter which they emit has no stinging, electric +or deleterious properties whatever, that I could discover. I +found that when this colouring matter was mixed with water, it +became of a deep blue. In those which I caught in November 1837, +I may have been deceived, and the colouring matter might also +possibly have been scarlet directly it was emitted. It is +difficult to conceive what use this liquid can be to the fish +against its foes, yet it certainly uses it as a means of +defence.</p> + +<p>To one of these shells, the fish in which was alive and well, +we found attached a number of barnacles, some of which were of +large size.</p> + +<p>This sort of Janthina was very abundant; today we caught +eight, and saw great numbers of them: yesterday we caught a +smaller one of a different species. (Janthina exigua.)</p> + +<p>This kind of Janthina is attached to its float by a sort of +peduncle, which it has the power of elongating, so that the fish +itself sinks, with its shell, and yet remains attached to the +float, which continues at the surface. In one instance, I saw +this peduncle elongated to a length of 0.9 inches. It may, of +course, have the power of sinking itself much lower than I have +seen it do. When it is in this state, the apparatus with which it +fills the float remains behind the peduncle in a state of perfect +quiescence.</p> + +<p>The scarlet fluid emitted by this animal is of such a +consistency that it can be drawn away from it out of the water, +like a glutinous thread.</p> + +<p>A part of the animal requires attention, it is composed of an +outer cup, or circular lip, which it has the power of contracting +or expanding in the same manner as the valve; and when opened out +like a cup, an orifice can be seen at the bottom of it. It can +also expand, and make broad the arm; and it then appears to use +them as sails.</p> + +<p>This species of Janthina, I afterwards found, has the power of +in some manner taking in by suction a quantity of water, which it +can suddenly expel again with great violence, sending it out as +if from a squirt.</p> + +<p>We caught, also, an extraordinary fish this day. Its mouth has +the appearance of being situated on its back; a fin, 0.4 inches +in length, projected directly out from one side of the fish, and +there was every appearance of a perfectly similar one having been +torn from the other side; a hard horny membrane projected from +underneath the stomach of the animal, being apparently a sort of +fin.</p> + +<p>Its colour was of a silvery metallic lustre, having in parts a +burnished appearance, except where it is shaded (see Illustration +5 and below) and then it was of a dark green colour; the tail was +perfectly transparent, except just where it joined the body, and +there, where the shaded line is, it was dark green.</p> + +<p>This fish was swimming about, apparently preying on the +tentaculae of the barnacles, of which there were numbers round +the ship attached to the dead Velella, some of which I had caught +yesterday; it appears therefore probable that its mouth was +placed in so extraordinary a position to enable it to seize this +pendant prey.</p> + +<p>We caught this day a number of Velella, which are furnished +with crests; some of them were dead, and nearly always when such +was the case we found a species of barnacle attached in great +numbers to them. When these animals had only recently died, so +that the whole of their blue base had not been detached from +them, the barnacles were generally very minute, so that the naked +eye could only just detect them, and there were no large +barnacles on the same fish: now, how did the minute ones get +there? As the barnacles grew larger, the remains of the velella +changed into large excrescences, half the size of a walnut.</p> + +<p>We caught also several little animals, all of the same +species, which swam about on the surface of the water with the +greatest rapidity, performing the same kind of evolutions that we +see in a little black and white insect (Gyrinus) which swims on +the top of tranquil pools in England.</p> + +<p>July 16.</p> + +<p>This day a curious animal was caught, perfectly diaphanous; +total length 0.8 inch; length of third leg, 0.4 inch; this was +provided with a claw like a crab; head shaped like a grasshopper, +0.2 inch in length, and placed like the head of a grasshopper, at +right angles to the body; eyes black and prominent, apparently +four, two on each side; first and second legs of nearly the same +length; the third leg nearly double the length of either of the +others; five on each side. The top of the head is divided into +two prominent knobs, one on each side, which, viewed through a +microscope, appear to be minutely reticulated.</p> + +<p>The animal may be considered as consisting of four portions: +the head; the upper part of the body, 0.18 inch in length, and +divided into five rings; the lower part, consisting of one +shield-like portion, 0.12 inch in length, the body at the lower +portions of this decreases almost to the thickness of a thread; +the tail, 0.3 inch in length, and divided into three shield-like +pieces, laid one over the other as in the shrimp (imbricated); at +the lower extremity of each of these scales there is on each side +a fin-like leg, in addition to those above-mentioned. Breadth of +the animal across its head, 0.2 inch, and this was the broadest +part of it. It lived for some time out of water, and even when +put into spirits, it swam in an extraordinary manner, falling +head over heels every time, which motion it accomplished by +swimming on its back and making rapid strokes with the fin-like +legs with which it is provided behind.</p> + +<p>We also caught today several little crabs and barnacles. I +kept one specimen, to show old and young barnacles attached to +the same Velella.</p> + +<p>The sea was, this morning, covered in places with fleets of +the Velella of Lamarck; also with great numbers of the species of +Janthina which I described yesterday; to both of these kinds of +animals large clusters of barnacles were frequently attached. +These barnacles preyed on the different gelatinous animals which +were swimming about. It was curious to see them seize on these +with their hooked tentaculae and draw them in, whilst the +acalepha, or gelatinous animal, contracted and dilated itself +with all its might and main, endeavouring to escape. We saw two +or three times very large shoals of porpoises ahead of us, and +when we reached the spot where they had been we found the sea +quite cleared of the animals with which it was covered in other +places, so that we imagined the porpoises must have been feeding +on them. We saw also a whale and a shark today.</p> + +<p>Although these little floating animals were so numerous there +were but very few of the gelatinous species to be seen, and they +were chiefly of the larger sorts. I saw one of the species +(Glaucus) of which I have given a sketch, on the 17th of June. +Like all the animals of this species which we caught to the +westward of the Cape it had a red intestinal spot in it; but +excepting in its great size it differed in no respect from the +others which I had seen: this one was at least a foot in +length.</p> + +<p>A number of black minute animals were caught, which, at a +rapid glance, looked not unlike fleas with long feelers or +antennae.</p> + +<p>We caught also this day an animal (Salpa) which consisted of a +gelatinous transparent bag, having an orifice provided with a +valve that opened and closed the orifice at pleasure; there was +no other opening to the sac that I could discover; I passed the +end of a pencil down it, but although it passed readily through +the valve it could not at first pass through the bottom of the +gelatinous sac; but I afterwards found that this was an error, +and that the pencil could be passed right through the body of the +animal, which was provided with a valve at each end. I found also +that the united animals had the power of swimming with either end +foremost. There was an intestinal tube in the animal of a dark +reddish brown colour. This animal appeared to exist very badly +alone, fourteen of them were always found united together by a +plane; they then formed a mass shaped like half an orange and +having a cup at its upper surface; the intestinal canals, when +they are in this position, are all brought near to one another, +and the whole mass looks not unlike a flower; they are united to +one another by so thick a fluid that it is very difficult to +separate them. If one or more are torn away from the mass the +outside ones immediately join together and form a united mass +again, of the original shape. They open the orifices at different +times: that is, two or three open theirs at the moment that some +of the others are closing, so that no regular or simultaneous +movement takes place between the different animals. This +irregular movement of the animals gives to the whole body an +irregular rotatory motion; but when one is separated from the +others it can only drive itself round and round upon its own +centre, and has not the faculty of propelling itself as the other +acalepha have. They also swim with either end foremost, in the +manner the other acalepha do.</p> + +<p>We saw also some animals of this class, and nearly as large as +the ones I have just described, but they differed in their form +and mode of attachment, and joined themselves in long strings, +two deep, so as to look like gelatinous snakes. I have before +described animals of this class with blue spots. I think that a +good mode of classifying these animals would be from their form +of arrangement when united.</p> + +<p>July 17. South latitude 19 degrees 47 minutes; west longitude +3 degrees 5 minutes 30 seconds.</p> + +<p>Found a small animal (Cymothoa) like a wood-louse, similar to +the one we caught on the 15th of this month and to another taken +on the 21st of November 1837. It had seven legs on each side, +besides the five which when taken out of the water it folded over +its abdomen; the colour the same as before described.</p> + +<p>Length 0.52 inch.<br> +Width over broadest part 0.2 inch.<br> +Length of antennae 0.2 inch.</p> + +<center> +<p><a name="grey2-04"></a><img alt="" src="images/grey2-04.jpg"></p> + +<p><b>4. Cymothoa, Sp.</b></p> +</center> + +<p>Illustration 4, exactly the size of life, gives a good idea of +it. It lived out of the water for two or three hours and did not +die until put into spirits; it ran about on the table as well as +it swam in the water, so that it was evidently amphibious. It +swam about from a dead shell of the Velella, to a nautilus, and +from that again to some barnacles; each shell that it reached it +climbed up, and folding up its fins ran all over it, so that it +appeared like a little navigator which was roving from island to +island in the ocean, seeking food and nourishment from all of +them. Are not the ways of nature very wonderful? This little +animal was at least 500 miles from any land, as we term it, yet +it was surrounded by sunny islands, teeming for it with the most +delicious food, and where it either basked in the warm daylight, +or shaded itself in some oozy recess, as seemed most pleasant to +it.</p> + +<p>When walking on these substances it used its antennae exactly +as insects do, and showed an extraordinary degree of +susceptibility when touched. I do not know that I have ever seen +an animal which more decidedly evinced an acute sense of feeling +and dread of pain.</p> + +<p>The animal here described belongs equally to the Indian and +Atlantic Oceans, and appears, as far as my experience goes, never +to venture to the south of 25 degrees south latitude. This is now +the third species of animals which I have found to be common to +the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, and which never venture beyond +the warmer latitudes.</p> + +<p>The question is how they got round the Cape of Good Hope, or +Cape Horn?</p> + +<p>Might we not hence infer that there was a time when the +continent of Africa did not exist? and might not this argument be +much extended? It could be combated by none of those causes which +are advanced relative to the distribution of species on land; +for,</p> + +<p>1. The temperature of the water in southern latitudes is very +cold at all seasons of the year.</p> + +<p>2. These animals are extremely susceptible of all changes of +temperature.</p> + +<p>3. They have no means of warming themselves by exercise or +motion.</p> + +<p>4. The species of food which they subsist on is confined to +the latitudes in which they themselves live.</p> + +<p>5. They would have to traverse great distances in ungenial +climes, and contend against adverse winds, the children of placid +seas and genial suns hurried into giant waves and chilling +storms.</p> + +<p>6. It is not probable that they are swept along in currents, +from the circumstance that in the one which flows along the coast +to the eastward of the Cape we could find none of them, whilst +upon its very edge they were in abundance.</p> + +<p>Could however their eggs be swept along by a current, and +after having been wave-tossed for months or years, be at last +borne into waters sufficiently warm to hatch them, and the +animals, finding themselves in a genial climate, have increased +and multiplied?</p> + +<p>The numerous little animals of the species which I have always +considered to be the Velella of Lamarck went sailing merrily by +us today; the least breath of wind made them turn round and +round; and this was their mode of progression, the animal moved +its little sail which I have before mentioned, and worked its +tentaculae so vigorously as to make ripples in the water, in the +midst of which it went buoyantly floating along.</p> + +<p>Caught another fish (Stenopteryx Illustration 5) of the same +species as that found on the 15th of July. The accompanying +figure is drawn from minute measurements. The length of this +specimen was 2.5 inches, its thickness through the thickest part +0.38.</p> + +<p>What I had before imagined to be either a spine or fin turned +out to be a pectoral fin.</p> + +<center> +<p><a name="grey2-05"></a><img alt="" src="images/grey2-05.jpg"></p> + +<p><b>5. Stenopteryx, Sp.</b></p> +</center> + +<p>It thus has two pectoral, one dorsal, and one ventral fin, +properly speaking; but the greater part of the body is surrounded +by some cartilaginous substance which it probably uses as a fin; +under the line b c there is a curved portion of this matter, and +above and attached to the fish is a line of round white silvery +scales, about ten in number.</p> + +<p>Between a and b there is another curved mass of transparent +cartilaginous substance, along the bottom of which runs a spine +to which is attached a fringe-like fin. There is a spine upon the +back; the eye is very prominent and bright; upon the back, +between the eye and the spine, there are successive stripes of +purple and burnished gold, so that this little animal is one of +the most gorgeously coloured denizens of the ocean. It swims +about amongst the purple barnacles and pink nautili, seeking on +the shores of these shining islands its prey, the curious +formation of its mouth being admirably adapted to enable it, +whilst swimming under these painted floating islands, to crop off +what it lists.</p> + +<p>There were scarcely any gelatinous animals in the sea this +day; but many Janthina shells and Velella were round the ship, to +which were attached barnacles of different species; amongst this +group of islands numerous crabs were swimming about and running +over them. Animals resembling a wood-louse were also in the sea, +swimming and running about the floating shells and barnacles.</p> + +<p>We caught also a new species of Janthina, the float of which, +instead of being nearly round and extending over the shell on +each side, was spread like a spiral fold from the shell; the +breadth of this fold was 0.45 inch, close to the mouth of the +shell, and it gradually tapered off to a point, its length being +3.6 inches. This float being curved round like the tail of an +animal, the whole thing bore the appearance of being a sort of +snake, of which the shell was the head; the sailors called them +caterpillars before I had examined them. The float was composed +of two parts, one of which was only froth and the other was +apparently some extraneous substance attached to the froth. The +shell is very different from those of the other nautili in being +much more deeply indented with circular striae.</p> + +<p>July 18. South latitude 19 degrees 49 minutes; west longitude +3 degrees 10 minutes 15 seconds.</p> + +<p>We have lately caught several specimens of Creseis. Each +consists of a cylindrical tube, increasing in size from its +broadest extremity to the centre where it is thickest, and +decreasing from the centre to its other extremity, where it +becomes a fine point. It is throughout its extent gelatinous, +transparent, and of strong consistency.</p> + +<p>There is apparently a valve at its broadest extremity.</p> + +<p>Length 1.1 inch.<br> +Breadth in centre 0.1 inch.<br> +Breadth at mouth of wide extremity 0.08 inch.</p> + +<p>We have several times caught a triangular, transparent, +gelatinous animal; it is 0.18 inch in thickness, and in the outer +pulpy gelatinous mass there is an interior sac, and strong +muscular bands are marked across this. The sac is composed of +three lobes, two of which have apparently no external opening, +whilst at the end of the main lobe there is one which closes with +a valve; through this I have seen them take in little animals, +which reached no farther than the centre, from which the lobes +radiate, when the sac became violently agitated, and made strong +efforts to expel the foreign substance. This animal was very +sensitive, more particularly about the opening of the +entrance.</p> + +<p>We caught today the lower part of the species of Diphyes which +we had found on the 13th November 1837, in 30 degrees 7 minutes +south latitude, in the Indian Ocean. This animal is thus +distributed over a wide range.</p> + +<p>We also found a very minute species of the animal similar to +one which we caught on July 1st 1840. Those we caught today were +scarcely 0.05 inches in diameter. They unfolded little wings and +flew with them in precisely the way those did which I described +on that day.</p> + +<p>Nothing I have seen is more remarkable than the flight of +these little animals; their wings are milk white and very large +for their body, and as they fly, the ends, from their pliancy, +bend over, which imparts to the motion a very graceful +appearance; these wings are composed of a very fine membrane like +that forming the wings of a bat. At one time these little animals +hovered over a single spot like a bird of prey in the air, +flapping their wings in just the same manner. At another time +they darted forward with great rapidity, and the vibration of +their wings was so rapid that I could not count them. When folded +up they look like very minute gelatinous animals with a black +internal spot, but when touched their shell can be felt. We saw a +shoal of whales today.</p> + +<p>We have caught lately a great many small animals, of which the +following is the description; they swim about from one floating +substance to another and are eaten by the little crabs which are +numerous in these seas.</p> + +<p>Length of body 0.18 inch.<br> +Length of anterior part of body 0.1 inch.<br> +Length of posterior part of body 0.08 inch.<br> +Length of tail 0.08 inch.<br> +Breadth across back 0.05 inch.<br> +Depth from back to bottom of breast 0.06 inch.<br> +</p> + +<p>Head and eyes, deep brilliant prussian blue; body brilliant +prussian blue with a bluish green stripe on each side; tail +white. Seen through a microscope these animals appear to be a +beautiful dark burnished blue mottled with silver. The head is +remarkably round and regular.</p> + +<p>The body is divided into two portions. The anterior portion is +made up of six rings or shields, which lap over one another, and +it is furnished with three legs on each side which terminate in a +hooked claw; the posterior part is covered by three shields, and +there was only one leg on each side. I could not make out any +tentaculae or antennae.</p> + +<p>I was much struck by a curious circumstance today. As we +caught a great many gelatinous animals I thought this a good +opportunity of taking their temperature, which, after an +observation so carefully made that no error could occur, was +found to be 66 degrees 5 Fahrenheit, the temperature of the air +at the same time being 74 degrees. The temperature of the water +was now taken and was found to be 2 degrees 5 minutes more than +that of the animals; thus giving these animals a temperature +lower than that of the fluid in which they were immersed. I +conceived that some error must have been made in the temperature +of the water, it was therefore taken again and found to be 69 +degrees as before; this appeared to me so remarkable that I drew +up a table of all the experiments which had been made on this +subject, the result of which is that the mean temperature of +these kinds of animals appears to be 64 degrees 9 minutes +Fahrenheit; and that the greatest variation in excess is 1 degree +7 minutes; and in defect 2 degrees 9 minutes Fahrenheit. Is it +possible, then, that an animal can live in a fluid, the +temperature of which is constantly varying, and preserve nearly a +mean heat?</p> + +<p>In the following tables I have entered every experiment but +one which was made on the 17th of June, and in which I believe +the animals to have been kept too long out of water.</p> + +<center> +<p><a name="grey2-31"></a><img alt="" src="images/grey2-31.jpg"></p> +</center> + +<p>This last experiment was made from a sickly specimen which had +been kept for some time in the water: the temperature of water +above given is for that in which this animal was kept.</p> + +<p>We caught again today many animals of the same family +(Glaucus) as those of which a description is given in the journal +for the 17th of June.</p> + +<p>Also many shrimp-like animals (Alima) the bodies of which were +divided distinctly into an interior and posterior portion; all +the shrimp-like animals which we have caught whose bodies are +thus divided swim by doubling up the posterior part close to the +anterior, and then giving a stroke with great rapidity outwards. +These little animals are very susceptible, and when they have +been in the least injured their limbs remain in so constant a +state of tremor that the motion communicated by them resembles +that which would be caused by the passage of a rapid succession +of electric shocks, rather than any other I am acquainted +with.</p> + +<p>GEOLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS AT ST. HELENA.</p> + +<p>July 21.</p> + +<p>After visiting Longwood and Napoleon's tomb we rode to +Flagstaff Hill to search for fossil shells. The whole soil that I +saw was composed of decomposed old volcanic rocks; but I saw no +rock but basalt in different stages of decomposition; sometimes +it assumed the form of porphyry. I also saw veins of quartz, +gypsum, and jasper. On a part of Flagstaff Hill there was a thin +stratum of calcareous earth, in which shells are found. My hip +was so painful that I could not climb to the point where these +were, but an artillery soldier ascended and brought down some, +and of these I had several specimens given me; they are found +associated with bones which are apparently those of birds. None +of these bones were given to me but I saw and examined several +specimens. The shells are very numerous at this point.</p> + +<p>On returning into town I found several specimens of dead land +shells, apparently recent; these lay on the sides of the hills, +partly buried in the soil, and bore the appearance of having been +washed into this position by the heavy rains.</p> + +<p>July 22.</p> + +<p>Rode over in the morning to Longwood, and then proceeded to +Gregory's Valley, lying between Longwood and The Barn. This +valley, nearly 1700 feet in depth, appears at one period to have +been the scene of great volcanic disturbances. The lowest rock I +saw was a compact porphyritic one. The upper strata of basalt +were in a state of rapid decomposition; but the whole of the +valley was traversed by basaltic dykes in every direction; these +crossed one another in such a way that it was easy to tell their +relative ages; for instance several of them were in the form +of:</p> + +<center> +<p><a name="grey2-06"></a><img alt="" src="images/grey2-06.jpg"></p> + +<p><b>6. Form of basaltic dykes at Gregory's Valley, St. +Helena.</b></p> +</center> + +<p>So that one had been forced from its position by another long +subsequently to its formation.</p> + +<p>The general form of Gregory's Valley is a large basin bounded +by a lofty precipitous mountain on one side called The Barn, and +having a very narrow opening seaward, through which a small +stream has cut its way. A remarkable circumstance connected with +the basaltic dykes is that they are composed of a more compact +basaltic rock than the basalt which they penetrate, so that +whilst the rock has mouldered away these basaltic dykes have +remained standing; and, as in the progress of their decay they +split up, they present the appearances of walls built by human +hands, with regular layers of stones, and which traverse the +ravines of the island in all directions.</p> + +<p>As might be expected, I found regular basaltic crystals in +this valley, and also a variety of quartz ore, and other +crystals, in the veins traversing the basalt. I also found the +following remarkable section:</p> + +<center> +<p><a name="grey2-07"></a><img alt="" src="images/grey2-07.jpg"></p> + +<p><b>7. Geological Section from Gregory's Valley, St. +Helena.</b></p> +</center> + +<p>This was in a side valley or ravine leading from Gregory's +Valley in a southerly direction.</p> + +<p>On going down to the sea I found many species of starfish. I +brought away three species of these with me. Two Species +Pentagonal; one species Quadrilateral.</p> + +<p>First species Pentagonal length of side 0.55 inch.<br> +Second species Pentagonal length of side 0.50 inch.<br> +Quadrilateral length of side 0.55 inch.</p> + +<p>I found a sort of worm in the coral which had the power of +extending its head like an English worm; its body then appeared +to be composed of two portions, the fore part being much slighter +than the other. Its dimensions were:</p> + +<p>Length of fore part of body 0.4 inch.<br> +Length of hind part 0.6 inch.<br> +Breadth, or diameter of cylinder 0.1 inch.</p> + +<p>In the coral there was also another insect, not unlike a +centipede.</p> + +<p>Length 0.9 inch.<br> +Breadth at head 0.08 inch.</p> + +<p>In the inmost recesses of the coral there was a minute bivalve +shell and also a very minute species of crab.</p> + +<p>One remarkable circumstance relating to St. Helena is that it +is of a basaltic formation exactly resembling that of the Isle of +France and the North-west of New Holland; and that, although so +widely separated in longitude, these places lie in nearly the +same latitude.</p> + +<p>When you quit the sandstone ranges of the North-west of +Australia reptiles which have been before very numerous at once +become scarce. I never saw a snake in this great basaltic +district although there were plenty in the sandstone. This +however is only negative evidence. Brookes, in his History of St. +Helena (second edition page 24) says: "There are neither frogs, +toads, nor snakes in the island." In the Isle of Bourbon there +are neither toads nor snakes. In the Mauritius likewise there are +neither toads nor snakes, and only one species of frog, whilst +the bones of the land tortoise (Testudo indica) are only found in +a fossil state. Also, the highest land in St. Helena is 2800 +feet; in the Mauritius about 2900 feet (scarcely); and in the +volcanic district of North-west Australia about the same +height.</p> + +<p>July 26. At sea.</p> + +<p>We caught a great variety of shrimp-like animals; these little +things when disturbed emitted a brilliant phosphorescent light. +We saw scarcely any gelatinous animals.</p> + +<p>July 29.</p> + +<p>Caught two small crabs (Nautilograpsus); these species have +the power of swimming by means of the fringe-like fins with which +their legs are provided. Several other crabs were also caught; +some with their eggs attached, and two varieties of shrimp-like +animals with eggs. Where these were abundant the sea was very +luminous. Four or five of these were of a brilliant prussian blue +colour, with silver-coloured spots on the back; others were of a +very delicate pink colour; the tentaculae of both of them were of +a delicate prussian blue colour.</p> + +<p>We also caught a species of small Janthina, nearly resembling +those we had found before, but they were larger; moreover the +species of barnacle attached to them was totally different from +any we had before found, as if each species of nautilus had its +own kind of parasite. This is worthy of attention.</p> + +<p>August 8.</p> + +<p>We found a species of Halobates which swam rapidly with the +short legs foremost, and the foremost legs appeared to be +furnished with a fringe to give them that power. The colour of +the legs, dark prussian blue; body of a silver colour in front, +with a prussian blue colour behind; under part of the body, near +the tail, three consecutive striae of a silver colour, separated +from one another by a line of prussian blue. I have never seen +this animal before.</p> + +<p>August 9.</p> + +<p>Caught two or three small insects, somewhat resembling a bug, +of a dirty brick colour and several minute species of Diphyes and +small jellyfish.</p> + +<p>August 19.</p> + +<p>Caught a small Janthina nearly resembling those we had +formerly seen, also a small crab, two new species of gelatinous +animals, and a Velella.</p> + +<p>August 20.</p> + +<p>Several fish, resembling an eel in shape, were caught today; +they were of different sizes, and some of them gave a slight +shock on being touched. They were marked across the back with +alternate striae of silver, and various shades of brown and +black, though there were scarce two marked exactly alike. They +had a transparent dorsal and two pectoral fins, which were all I +observed, and a long thin snout or beak; the mouth was just at +the end of it, on the top: some of them were thorny on the back; +we caught also some crabs; a very minute blue fish; a black and +red insect resembling a flea; a species of Diphyes; a very small +kind of polypus; and one or two small jellyfish. A land bird flew +on board today.</p> + +<p>In 26 degrees north latitude we entered a portion of the sea +covered with patches of seaweed, around which swarmed numerous +eel-like fish, crabs, shrimps, and little blue fish; these last +swam under those floating islands, sometimes leaving them for a +little distance, but they always returned or swam to another: the +crabs crawled in and out amongst the seaweed, and other fish of a +large size came to these spots to deposit their spawn, so that we +were in an archipelago of floating islands teeming with busy +inhabitants and animal enjoyment.</p> + +<p>August 21.</p> + +<p>There were a great many crabs of different kinds and sizes +caught today; two kinds of shrimps, one marked across with +alternate striae of silver and dark brown; it had no antennae, +and had apparently been hurt, as I could only see some very short +legs; the rest appeared to be of the same kind as others recently +caught, except being of a lighter colour. Some eel-fish of the +same kind as yesterday. There were two other small blue insects +caught; unfortunately none have been preserved as they were put +in the same glass with the shrimps and were instantly eaten by +them. The crabs also ate two small blue fish that were caught. No +jellyfish were seen.</p> + +<p>August 24.</p> + +<p>Some of the eel-like fish, two or three shrimps, a new species +of dypha, various kinds of crabs, and a large species of +Physalis, were caught today.</p> + +<p>August 25.</p> + +<p>Caught various kinds of crabs, some minute shells, and a small +curious insect, quite new to me, of a bright blue colour; the +shrimps appear to be very fond of these insects, seizing them the +instant they are put into the glass with them. We caught shrimps +of all colours and sizes, many of them very beautiful; some were +of a pale gold colour with bright blue spots; others with +different shades of brown, and blue, white, or red spots. They +all turned a dark red on being put into spirits. The smaller +kinds had a round ball or excrescence on one side just below the +head. I observed today that the eel-fish carries its eggs in a +bag under the belly; the eggs were of a bright red colour. Two +barnacles were caught; also a new and very remarkable fish.</p> + +<p>August 28.</p> + +<p>Caught today two of the fish of the same kind as the one taken +on the 25th. It had a dorsal fin with 14 spines; a ventral fin; a +tail, 16 spines; and in addition to these it had four pectoral +fins resembling the claws of a frog, which it used much in the +same manner that a lizard uses its claws. The upper pair of these +were divided into two joints, the lower one of which was a +perfect hand, terminating in ten claws, with which it could seize +hold of any object, or expand and use it as a broad paddle, or +fin. At the point where these arms are inserted into the body and +immediately behind them are placed two tubes, one behind each +arm. These form its gills, through which it expels the water +taken in at its mouth; the lower pair of arms have only one +apparent joint, and each of these hands are furnished with five +claws; it has two protuberances which look like horns, one +projects immediately between the eyes, and the other is situated +between this and the dorsal fin, these are covered with little +spines and it carries them erect. Its colour is pale yellow with +brown spots and stripes on it; the spots about the head and upper +arms are much darker than the others; about the stomach are +little things resembling the wattles of the wattle-bird, they are +of a brilliant white colour. It feeds on small shrimps, climbs +about the weeds like a lizard, and at times swims like a fish and +is very rapid and strong in its motions. It swells out the +membranes about the spot where its gills ought to be, so as to +puff itself out like a toad when it takes water in: its colour +resembles that of the common English frog, and it looks +remarkably like one when it sits on a piece of weed, resting on +its claws and puffing out its cheeks. There are several lines of +red stripes at the bottom of its stomach.</p> + +<p>We caught also a great many shrimps and crabs; some of the +shrimps were boiled and proved to be very good eating.</p> + +<p>August 30.</p> + +<p>At 5 hours 30 minutes P.M. a pine tree passed us, covered with +barnacles and surrounded by fish, which swam about this floating +island, eating such things as fell from it.</p> + +<p>No portion of the globe is more thickly inhabited, or affords, +in proportion to its size, a greater amount of animal enjoyment +than did this wave-tossed isle. On it were innumerable barnacles, +several species of teredo, one of which, having its head shaped +like a screw split into two equal portions, I believe to have +been quite new. Many varieties of crab and minute insects shaped +like a slug fed on the seaweed growing on the log.</p> + +<p>These last animals were of different lengths. They were shaped +like a caterpillar and composed of fifty-six rings; the stomach +could only be distinguished from the back by a sort of +excrescence which grew on the latter; each ring or division of +the body was furnished with two pairs of legs, one pair pointing +downwards from the stomach, the other pair projecting from the +back; these legs were composed of bristles, and by sticking them +into the timber they were able to maintain their hold and to walk +along. In thus progressing they drew into a case the legs of the +rings they were going to move, and pushed them forward by means +of the other legs, and then, letting down the legs they had drawn +into the case, they stuck them into the wood and made good their +ground. Their habit was to lie about amongst the weeds that grew +on the tree or to creep into some large holes that were in it. +They did not die when I took them out of water but lived for +sixteen hours, and were then as well and strong as ever, only +dying after they had been put into spirits.</p> + +<p>I got also two pieces of stones from the roots of this tree; +they were small, quite angular, and had been carried this +distance from the continent of America without any appearance of +being water-worn. This must often take place when trees are blown +down and washed away by floods, and in this manner angular pieces +of stone may be conveyed many miles from the rock from which they +were derived by the agency of water, and yet not be +water-worn.</p> + +<p>August 31.</p> + +<p>At 11 hours 30 minutes A.M. we found a portion of the timber +of a ship on the water, containing animals similar to those on +the pine-tree yesterday: this was perforated through and through +by different species of teredo.</p> + +<p><a name="chapter8"></a></p> + +<h2>CHAPTER 8. THE OVERLANDERS.</h2> + +<p>CLASS OF PERSONS.</p> + +<p>It is to be expected that a totally new state of things will, +in recently settled countries, give rise to different orders or +classes of men unknown in older lands, but who have been called +into existence by novel circumstances, and whose energies have +been so developed as best to suit the modifications which these +hitherto unexperienced causes may produce. In collecting +information regarding the condition of our settlements in +Australia my attention was particularly drawn to the mode of life +pursued by some of my enterprising fellow-countrymen, known there +under the denomination of Overlanders, and which is characterised +by several remarkable peculiarities well deserving of +observation, particularly at a time when so many young and +adventurous spirits are looking towards that continent as the +land of their future fortunes and home.</p> + +<p>CHARACTER OF THE OVERLANDERS.</p> + +<p>The Overlanders are nearly all men in the prime of youth, +whose occupation it is to convey large herds of stock from market +to market and from colony to colony. Urged on by the hope of +profit, they have overcome difficulties of no ordinary kind, +which have made the more timid and weak-hearted quail, and +relinquish the enterprises in which they were engaged; whilst the +resolute and undaunted have persevered, and the reward they have +obtained is wealth, self-confidence in difficulties and dangers, +and a fund of accurate information on many interesting points. +Hence almost every Overlander you meet is a remarkable man.</p> + +<p>The Overlanders are generally descended from good families, +have received a liberal education (Etonians and Oxonians are to +be found amongst them) and even at their first start in the +colonies were possessed of what is considered an independence. +Their grandfathers and fathers have been men distinguished in the +land and sea service of their country; and these worthy scions of +the ancient stock, finding no outlet for their enterprise and +love of adventure at home, have sought it in a distant land; +amongst them therefore is to be found a degree of polish and +frankness rarely to be looked for in such a mode of life, and in +the distant desert you unexpectedly stumble on a finished +gentleman.</p> + +<p>THEIR ADVENTUROUS MODE OF LIFE.</p> + +<p>The life of an Overlander in the bush is one of great +excitement which constantly calls every energy into action, is +full of romantic and novel situations, and habituates the mind to +self-possession and command. The large and stately herd of cattle +is at least a fine if not even an imposing sight. The fierce and +deadly contests which at times take place with the natives, when +two or three hardy Europeans stand opposed to an apparently +overwhelming majority of blacks, call for a large share of +personal courage and decision; whilst the savage yells and +diabolic whoops of the barbarians in their onsets, their +fantastically painted forms, their quivering spears, their +contortions, and shifting of their bodies, and their wild leaps, +attach a species of romance to these encounters which affords +plentiful matter for after-meditation. As the love of war, of +gaming, or of any other species of violent excitement, grows upon +the mind from indulgence, so does the love of roving grow upon +the Overlanders, and few or none of them ever talk of leading a +settled life.</p> + +<p>SUDDEN ACCUMULATION OF WEALTH.</p> + +<p>And it is not to be wondered at that the young and ardent +eagerly embrace a line of life so replete with exciting events +and incidents, and which at once enriches the successful +speculator, and fills with plenty and prosperity the region which +he enters. The first individual who opens a market, which no +other Overlander has yet visited, rides into the district an ill +clothed way-worn traveller; the residents do not at first deign +to cast a glance upon him till presently it is noised about that +an overland party has arrived, that a route from the stock +districts has been formed, and that the incalculable advantage of +abundance of cattle at a cheap rate has been secured; landed +property instantaneously rises, perhaps to double the value it +had a few hours before; numbers of persons find themselves +suddenly made rich without an exertion on their own part, and +from all sides individuals flock to see their benefactor. The ill +clothed way-worn traveller now finds himself at once invested +with the dignity of a conqueror. On all hands he is feted, +dinners are given to him, a piece of plate presented, and as he +feels the sweets of renown and of the wealth which he has won he +meditates fresh conquests on the trackless desert, new adventures +with his tried stockmen, and further acquisitions of riches.</p> + +<center> +<p><a name="grey2-08"></a><img alt="" src="images/grey2-08.jpg"></p> + +<p><b>8. Crossing Cattle over the Murray, near Lake +Alexandrina.<br> +Drawn on stone by George Barnard from a sketch by G. Hamilton, +Esquire.<br> +M. and N. Hanhart, Lithographic Printers, 64 Charlotte Street, +Rathbone Place.</b></p> +</center> + +<p>EFFECTS OF THEIR ENTERPRISES.</p> + +<p>Then comes a strange change over the unoccupied Overlander; he +has brought with him every head of stock which he could muster, +and in the course of a few days his last beast is disposed of; +his establishment is broken up, he awakes some morning and finds +himself a rich man, but he has no stock; he has so much money but +no cattle. He no longer follows the long array of his stately +herd and bleating flocks, his loaded drays and bearded stockmen, +through the free wilderness; no longer regulates and watches +their perilous course through the intricate ford of a deep river, +or stands upon some solitary hill to reconnoitre the trackless +country and select the line along which the motley assemblage is +to pass. He is now an idle unoccupied gentleman, the inhabitant +of a boarding-house, with no object in the world before him; but +ere long the plans of fresh achievements and speculations are +sketched out. You see a muster of bearded weather-beaten men, +carrying short-handled whips. The Overlander enters the group, a +short consultation takes place, and in a day or two more himself +and his followers are under weigh for some district where he can +purchase stock cheapest and make a good start for another +market.</p> + +<p>MAGNITUDE OF THEIR OPERATIONS.</p> + +<p>The magnitude of the operations of the Overlanders would +scarcely be credited; a whole fortune is risked, and in the +wilderness: its safety depends upon good guidance; yet far from +being intimidated by the thought the adventurers are only +stimulated to a greater degree of activity. The stock of an +Overlander is the capital which he has invested in a single +speculation; and to give an idea of the amount of this I will +show, at a moderate estimate, the value of a herd, the property +of an Overlander who arrived in Adelaide in the month of March +1840 from the district of Illawarra, New South Wales.</p> + +<p>HORNED CATTLE.</p> + +<p>260 Cows, many broken in.<br> +230 Bullocks, 3 1/2 years old and upwards.<br> +190 Steers, 2 1/2 years old and upwards.<br> +39 Steers, 1 1/2 years old and upwards.<br> +70 Heifers, two to three years old.<br> +32 Heifers, one to two years old.<br> +9 Bulls.<br> +5 Calves.<br> +20 Working Bullocks, two shafters.</p> + +<p>855 Total head of Horned Cattle.</p> + +<p>HORSES.</p> + +<p>22 Mares, all in foal, 3 to 5 years old.<br> +5 do., 5 to 8 years old.<br> +7 Fillies, do., 2 to 3 years old.<br> +3 do., rising 3 years, not in foal.<br> +5 do., rising 2 years, not in foal.<br> +10 Saddle and Draught Horses.<br> +5 Colts, rising 4 years old.<br> +1 Colt, rising 3 years old.<br> +1 Colt, rising 2 years old.<br> +1 Blood Stallion.<br> +1 Draught entire Horse.<br> +1 Entire Pony.</p> + +<p>62 Total number of Horses.</p> + +<p>900 Fat Wethers.</p> + +<p>AMOUNT OF STOCK VENTURES.</p> + +<p>Now, striking a low average, the value in pounds of this herd +of cattle, horses, and sheep, in South Australia, was:</p> + +<p>Horned Stock 8,550.<br> +Horses 3,720.<br> +Wethers 1,575.</p> + +<p>Total: 13,845 pounds.</p> + +<p>But between this and an ordinary mercantile risk no parallel +can be drawn. A merchant insures his cargo so that his total loss +can but be a small portion of the whole. The Overlander cannot do +this with his stock and runs a far greater proportionate risk. It +must also be borne in mind that the statement of the herd, which +I have above given, does not include all that started for South +Australia, but only the survivors, who, after traversing so many +hundred miles, reached in safety the destined mart.</p> + +<p>INFLUX OF STOCK TO SOUTH AUSTRALIA.</p> + +<p>When the Overlanders drive sheep alone, without horned stock +or horses, the number of heads is much increased, as from 8000 to +12,000 sheep are brought over at one time. They are driven in +separate flocks of about 1000 each, and these follow one another +in regular succession. The value of a flock of 6000 sheep cannot +be estimated under 10,500 pounds.</p> + +<p>RAPID INCREASE OF WEALTH IN NEW SETTLEMENTS.</p> + +<p>So much for the operations of single parties; but when once a +road to a new market is opened numbers follow up the tracks of +the first hardy adventurer, and the operations of the whole +combined are not less startling in their magnitude than are those +of enterprising individuals. From New South Wales into the +province of South Australia the Overlanders introduced, in +1839:</p> + +<p>4,200 Head of Horned Cattle,<br> +130 Horses,<br> +35,000 Sheep;</p> + +<p>and within the three succeeding months of 1840, upwards +of:</p> + +<p>7,000 Head of Horned Cattle,<br> +100 Horses,<br> +25,000 Sheep;</p> + +<p>making, in fifteen months, a total of:</p> + +<p>11,200 Head of Horned Cattle,<br> +230 Horses,<br> +60,000 Sheep.</p> + +<p>The value in pounds of the above stock being in the whole +about:</p> + +<p>Horned Cattle 112,000,<br> +Horses 13,800,<br> +Sheep 105,000,</p> + +<p>Total: 230,800 pounds.</p> + +<p>And this wonderful amount of stock was brought into a country +which, three years before, only resounded to the war-cry of the +naked savage; and the soil of which, hardened, baked, and +unstirred for centuries, nursed not within its bosom seeds from +which a plenteous harvest might spring, but, as if irritated by +neglect and indifference, gave forth unwillingly only acid roots +and scanty bulbs.</p> + +<p>PROSPERITY CREATED BY THE OVERLANDER.</p> + +<p>The first entrance of an Overlander into a district may be +compared to the rising of the Nile upon the thirsty land of +Egypt; then does the country bear fruit and the land give forth +her increase, he enters the district silently, noiselessly, +unexpectedly, but his influence is soon felt everywhere; merchant +vessels can now obtain cargoes of wool, and no longer sail empty +away. England receives raw materials, and in exchange are sent +out luxuries and manufactured goods. New clearings are made by +the farmer, who has now abundance of manure; the artisan plies +useful trades, and ceases to labour in the place of beasts of +draught or burden; hateful scurvy, the scourge of new colonies, +is expelled, not by medicine, but by fresh meat, milk, and +vegetables. But the worker of all this good is unmindful of it; +he has bargained to get the highest price he can for his stock, +and is already plotting new enterprises; he sought to serve +himself, not others, and has accomplished both.</p> + +<p>The first Overlander having entered a district nothing can +check the tide that follows on. It is in vain for him to declare +(perhaps really conscientiously) that he conceives the risk of +loss of stock to be so great that none should undertake the +journey; this is only ascribed to his cupidity and a desire to +keep others out of the market; HE has done it, and why cannot +more? This argument is irresistible, and adventurer after +adventurer marches upon his track.</p> + +<p>CONSEQUENCES OF HIS SUCCESS UPON OTHERS.</p> + +<p>Now comes a hurrying into the new district of speculators from +the old colonies: the fact of a road being found to it from the +stock country is a guarantee that it will succeed, and it is in a +new settlement that the largest profits are realized. These +arrivals bring with them from the older colonies experience, +capital, and extensive connexions; fresh sources of industry and +speculation are at once opened up by them; all town-land and +landed property to be purchased at a cheap rate they secure; +money circulates from hand to hand, and an impetus is given, and +a progress made, which must be seen to be credited.</p> + +<p>OPENINGS TO WEALTH IN NEW COLONIES.</p> + +<p>The tide of emigration coming in from the older colonies is a +certain sign of rapid success; those who arrive from these places +are men who have done well in the first country of their +adoption; but to this they had repaired when it was thinly +inhabited, when land was of very low value and to be procured +near the capital; there they have realized largely, but it +appears to them that nearly all the good things have now been +picked up; property has attained such a value that it rises but +slowly, indeed is almost stationary in price; and the country is +so largely stocked that they are driven to establish their +sheep-stations at such a distance from the sea coast that the +expense of the transport of their wool thither greatly detracts +from its value. Under these circumstances once again do they +emigrate, to repeat in a new land the operations which have +before yielded them so lucrative a return; and, strong in past +experience, they smile at the errors committed by the younger +settlers, from which they reap many advantages.</p> + +<p>ITS EFFECTS UPON ALL CLASSES.</p> + +<p>But time and intellect are all worth much more in Australia +than they are in England, and everyone can realize upon his +capital and speculate profitably upon his intelligence, activity, +and strength; for all of these he gets paid, hence but few men +are willing to follow professions. Clergymen too often turn +farmers and speculators, even if they do not altogether throw +aside their sacred character. Medical men but rarely pursue their +practice, when such remunerating fields of enterprise are laid +open to them; soldiers abandon their calling; and the government +officers are all virtually farmers and stock-owners.</p> + +<p>This is to be expected, from the character of man. In a new +colony everything increases rapidly in worth--a landed estate +which can be bought in the early stages of its existence at a +mere nominal price grows yearly in value without a penny being +expended upon it; stock increases in a geometrical ratio, at +little or no cost, for there is plenty of land to pasture them +upon. Nothing of this kind either does or can take place in +England; and when the settler finds how changed his prospects +are, and how new means of acquiring wealth are opened to him, he +too often devotes his every thought and energy to the one object; +and so far will this passion lead men that I have known an +honourable member of council and leading magistrate in a colony +take out a retail license, and add to his already vast wealth +from the profits of a gin shop.</p> + +<p>But as stock is that species of property from which the +largest returns are realized, and that with the least labour, it +is to this branch of industry that settlers generally direct +their attention; indeed until plenty of stock is introduced into +a new colony its success is wavering and uncertain, and its +inhabitants are generally compelled to undergo a degree of +poverty and privation which contrasts strangely with the +affluence of the people occupying the more settled countries. The +degree of care and attention which is bestowed upon the breeding +of stock necessarily ensures both a constant supply of it and its +rapid diffusion over all accessible portions of the +continent.</p> + +<p>It is extremely difficult to convey to a mind which has never +contemplated the subject an idea of the rapid advance of stock +stations over the continent of Australia; there is something +about it which bears an almost fabulous character; and the same +circumstance takes place with regard to the rise in the price of +town and country lands. Those who have not witnessed such things +can scarcely give credit to them. In Western Australia town land +was bought for twenty-three pounds an acre in the month of +December 1839; and in the month of February 1840, large +importations of stock having taken place, the same land was sold +for sixty pounds an acre. But in other colonies, where overland +communication takes place, this would be regarded as a very small +increase in price for a new colony; there are many instances in +South Australia of people realizing, in less than two years, sums +of money to the amount of from ten to twelve thousand pounds from +the sale of town acres in the city of Adelaide.</p> + +<p>RAPID SPREAD OF STOCK STATIONS.</p> + +<p>To endeavour to give some idea of the rapid extension of stock +stations over the face of the country I must begin by premising +that farming stock somewhat more than double themselves in two +years; or at the end of two years they occupy double the space of +territory; at the end of four years, four times; at the end of +six years, eight times; at the end of eight years, sixteen times; +and thus, at the end of ten years, thirty-two times the space of +country which was originally taken up by stock becomes occupied +by civilized man.</p> + +<p>Exactly in the same ratio as the amount of occupied territory +increases so does the amount of wealth in the country advance, as +well as the demand for labour; and the natural increase of +population falling far short of this, and not supplying a +sufficient number of persons to absorb the wealth which the +country is capable of producing, a demand for emigration arises, +and a stimulus to it is given by the ease with which wealth and +comfort are acquired in the Australasian colonies.</p> + +<p>COURSE OF THE OVERLANDERS THROUGH AUSTRALIA.</p> + +<p>If the reader casts his eye upon a general map of Australia it +will be an easy task to follow the march of stock for the last +four years:</p> + +<p>Port Phillip was occupied in 1836,<br> +Portland Bay in 1835,<br> +South Australia in December 1836.</p> + +<p>COMMUNICATION BETWEEN SOUTHERN AND WESTERN AUSTRALIA.</p> + +<p>The first step taken by the Overlanders was the connexion of +Port Phillip with Sydney, and they thus, as it were, established +a great base line from which their subsequent operations could be +carried on; at this period they did not however bear the name of +Overlanders, which was only given to them after Adelaide had been +reached in 1838.</p> + +<p>EARLY ENTERPRISES OF THE OVERLANDERS.</p> + +<p>The Overlanders had hitherto been occupied in merely pushing +their stock stations to different portions of the colony of New +South Wales; but a new and fertile field for enterprise opened to +them in the establishment of the colony of South Australia, which +as before stated was in December 1836; and many an enterprising +mind instantly turned thitherward with earnest longings which +soon ripened into action. In November 1837, that is, in eleven +months from the foundation of the new colony, several hardy +adventurers had laid, matured, and commenced carrying into +operation plans which some deemed insane when they heard of the +amount of capital invested in so new an undertaking, but which +were undertaken by the adventurers in full confidence in their +own powers.</p> + +<p>THEIR FIRST EXPEDITIONS TO ADELAIDE, AND TO THE WESTWARD OF +PORT LINCOLN.</p> + +<p>Two expeditions started almost at the same time for this new +market. In February 1838 Mr. Hawdon moved from the Goulburn and +Mr. Eyre from Port Phillip. In April 1838 Mr. Hawdon arrived in +Adelaide and shortly afterwards was followed by Mr. Eyre, who had +attempted to take a direct route from Port Phillip to Adelaide, +but coming upon an impassable country he had been compelled to +turn to the northward, and then to make it by the same route +which Mr. Hawdon had pursued. Just eight years before this period +a hardy party of explorers under Captain Sturt had first ventured +in a whale-boat to descend a river traversing this unknown land. +Rapidly had the fruits of this enterprise ripened to maturity; +the river was now made a highway of commerce, a connecting link +between two countries.</p> + +<p>In the remaining portion of 1838 and in 1839 the energies of +the Overlanders were fully employed in supplying South Australia +with stock; and during this period several new and shorter lines +of route were struck out, the last great improvement of this kind +being made by the adventurous C. Bonney, Esquire, who connected +Port Phillip with Adelaide by a direct road running nearly +parallel to the coast, so that the portion of the continent of +Australia which lies between Moreton Bay and Adelaide is now +connected by a passable route.</p> + +<center> +<p><a name="grey2-09"></a><img alt="" src="images/grey2-09.jpg"></p> + +<p><b>9. Basaltic Rocks, Campaspi River, near Port Phillip.<br> +Drawn on stone by George Barnard from a sketch by G. Hamilton, +Esquire.<br> +M. and N. Hanhart, Lithographic Printers, 64 Charlotte Street, +Rathbone Place.<br> +Published by T. & W. Boone, London.</b></p> +</center> + +<p>During 1839 it was felt however that the markets of South +Australia no longer afforded such large profits; but Port Lincoln +was then occupied and a new country opened, to which cattle and +sheep were conveyed across Spencer's Gulf. This for a time +afforded some employment to the Overlanders; but their spirits +were secretly chafed by the thought that the limits of their +career were attained. Several expeditions to the westward of Port +Lincoln were undertaken, and in August 1839 Mr. Eyre, still +anxious to open a new market, pushed as far to the westward as +Denial Bay; but the journey to King George's Sound seemed so vast +an undertaking that although such a scheme was often contemplated +the hazard and risk of property appeared, even to a daring +Overlander, to be too great.</p> + +<p>Yet although none ventured, many an eager heart turned that +way, and many a thoughtful face lighted up when a promising plan +was unfolded.</p> + +<p>Whilst the Overlanders were thus speculating upon the +possibility of connecting the Eastern and Western portions of +Australia by one great line of communication, the new settlements +of South Australia and Port Phillip were making such rapid +advances in prosperity as almost exceed belief.</p> + +<p>The settlements of Swan River and King George's Sound, which +had now been established nearly ten years, were truly in a most +miserable condition. So late as the month of September 1839, when +I landed at King George's Sound to assume the situation of +Government Resident there, the population had been in a state +bordering upon want.</p> + +<p>But in the lapse of years the mismanagement and other causes +which had weighed down the settlers in Western Australia had been +swept away; and in 1839 an ameliorated system began to be +introduced, the energies and resources of the colony were allowed +to unfold and develop themselves, and a period of colonial +prosperity commenced which bids fair, if not again checked, to +run as rapid and astonishing a career as it has done in South +Australia and Port Phillip.</p> + +<p>IMPORT STOCK TO WESTERN AUSTRALIA.</p> + +<p>These changes were not unmarked by the Overlanders. Those +symptoms of uneasiness which always precede new eras of events +began to exhibit themselves at both ends of the proposed line of +communication. My official situation enabled me greatly to +forward these, and all persons who landed at the Sound on their +passage to South Australia recognised the advantages to be +derived from shipping stock to it from Adelaide, and thus +avoiding the passage to Swan River round Cape Leeuwin; these +persons carried numerous representations to this effect to some +of the principal stock-proprietors of South Australia; and at the +same time Dr. Harris, one of the oldest and most adventurous of +the Swan River settlers, drove a flock of sheep overland from +King George's Sound to the inland districts of the Swan River, +thus demonstrating the feasibility of this part of the plan. The +news of his safe arrival at Swan River had only just reached the +Sound when Mr. Eyre arrived in Princess Royal Harbour with a +vessel laden with sheep; he was followed in a few days by +Lieutenant Mundy, who came in a larger one laden with horned +stock and sheep; and they immediately despatched another vessel +for 1000 more sheep.</p> + +<p>STATE OF THE CATTLE MARKET THERE.</p> + +<p>Thus was a sort of communication established between the two +colonies; but the profits arising from the sale of stock brought +in a vessel were in a great measure absorbed by the expenses of +transport, and in the winter season the passage is too rough to +allow of the risk of shipping stock. Were they driven overland, +instead of being transported by sea, horned stock could be sold +at about 5 pounds per head, and sheep for 15 shillings per head +less. Moreover the price of the different colonial markets would +be equalised, and new settlers in all the colonies would start +with an equal chance; whereas at present if two settlers with +equal means go the one to Western and the other to Southern +Australia, for every 100 head of horned stock and 100 head of +sheep that the settler in Western Australia can buy with his +capital the settler in Southern Australia can buy 200 head of +horned cattle and 800 of sheep; this scarcely appears to create +so vast a difference between the two as it really does until we +regard the relative position of the two settlers at the end of +some given term of years, for instance five; they would then +stand thus: TABLE OF RELATIVE VALUES OF SOUTHERN AND WESTERN +AUSTRALIAN STOCK.</p> + +<center> +<p><a name="grey2-32"></a><img alt="" src="images/grey2-32.jpg"></p> +</center> + +<center> +<p><a name="grey2-33"></a><img alt="" src="images/grey2-33.jpg"></p> +</center> + +<p>GENERAL CONSEQUENCES OF THE SPREAD OF COMMERCE AND +EMIGRATION.</p> + +<p>The rapidity of communication from point to point has +introduced such vast effects in the march of improvement among +distant lands as only eye-witnesses can believe. The merchant in +London who lays on a vessel for a certain port regards the affair +as a mere mercantile speculation, but could he trace out the +results he effects in their remotest ramifications he would stand +astonished at the changes he produces. With the wizard wand of +commerce he touches a lone and trackless forest, and at his +bidding cities arise, and the hum and dust of trade collect, away +are swept ancient races; antique laws and customs moulder into +oblivion. The strongholds of murder and superstition are +cleansed, and the Gospel is preached amongst ignorant and savage +men. The ruder languages disappear successively, and the tongue +of England alone is heard around.</p> + +<p>Such are the ultimate effects of the daily occupations of many +men in the City of London, who, seated in a dark and dingy +counting-house in pursuit of gain, form and execute schemes the +eventual tenor and bearing of which are not to enrich themselves +but the human race. No doubt amongst the mass are noble minds who +have a perception of the true object of their calling, who feel a +just and laudable pride that they are the employers and +benefactors of mankind; whose names, even amongst distant hordes +of untaught men, pass current, as a security for probity and +honour; who write a few lines in London and move the antipodes; +who within the last fifty years have either actually erected or +laid the stable foundation of six great empires, offsets of that +strong nation who, together with her progeny, is overspreading +the earth, not by the sword but by the gentle arts of peace and +beneficence.</p> + +<p>GENERAL RESULTS OF GREAT MERCANTILE OPERATIONS.</p> + +<p>In the earlier Colonies, founded by the great maritime powers +of the world, national hatred prevailed to a great degree, +although war existed not between the parent states: still, at +distant points removed from the immediate control of the law, the +hatred of races found vent, cruelties were committed, reprisals +took place, and Europeans warred one upon another. But England +and America, as they progress in these regions, spread a common +language and a common faith, and no national antipathies can be +strictly said to exist between them.</p> + +<p>TRADE OF THE AMERICANS WITH OUT-STATIONS.</p> + +<p>The Americans, who are decidedly a more enterprising +mercantile people than ourselves, have almost engrossed the +profits of the seas surrounding the Indian Archipelago and the +western and south-western portions of New Holland. Their vessels +in these parts are to ours in the ratio of at least ten to one. +They constantly frequent the out-stations of Western Australia; +supply the wants of those retired portions of the world, and +where, legitimately, the British manufacturer should command the +market, little besides the produce of America is to be seen. The +settlers at these stations derive the largest portions of their +supplies from the American whalers, who give them in exchange for +potatoes and vegetables--and this species of barter is so +profitable to both parties that it would be impossible to prevent +it (nay the attempt would be cruel) by any other means than by +inducing British whalers and merchant-vessels to secure some +portion of those advantages which are at present wholly +monopolized by others.</p> + +<p>EFFECTS OF THE SPIRIT OF SPECULATION.</p> + +<p>The masters of the American whalers participate in a great +degree in the feelings of the out-settlers; from the impressions +generated in their infancy they are disposed to look with a +fraternal eye upon the few adventurous spirits who have located +themselves far from their fellow men to reclaim a home from the +wilderness. They have seen, lived amongst, and shared the +benefits which result from such commencements, and it is not +therefore to be wondered at that at all the out-stations the most +friendly relations exist between the settlers and the American +whalers; and when, during the five months of the bay whaling +season, an American vessel lays at anchor in some bay where there +are one or two settlers' families, a constant exchange of mutual +acts of kindness takes place, equally creditable to both parties; +whence result friendship, and perhaps an intermarriage; and when +the period of the vessel's sailing arrives there are numerous +deserters from her crew, who readily find employment at the +different sheep stations.</p> + +<p>DIFFUSION OF EMIGRATION.</p> + +<p>Thus a species of emigration of which nothing is known in +England takes place in the colonies. Men, from the force of +poverty, from the desire of gain, or of founding a family and +property in a new land, or for some other reason, quit their +homes and enter another portion of the globe. There they find +many who, having in the commencement of a settlement realized the +largest profits, are discontented with the percentage they can +now gain upon their capital; and what to the newcomer appears to +be a highly remunerating return they despise; gladly therefore do +they dispose of everything to the new emigrants and, animated by +that restless spirit of adventure which is common to all first +settlers, away they start for the last new colony or for +unsettled lands--New Zealand, the Sandwich Islands, the Indian +Archipelago, it matters not which--a fresh field of speculation +has been opened, the tide of emigration from Europe seems to be +setting towards a certain quarter where there are numerous new +arrivals who can never compete with old and practised colonists. +He who has seen several cities rise can judge to a nicety, from +local circumstances, upon what site the capital of the new +province must be built; and in the same way he can foresee which +must become the business street, and hence knows exactly the +relative value of every acre of land in the province. In vain for +him are reports spread that the capital is to be built in such or +such a spot, he but encourages them; in the meantime rapidly and +noiselessly his purchases are made, and a fresh acquisition of +fortune secured.</p> + +<p>This class of men, amongst whom are many Overlanders, are +never satisfied or settled; they are constantly engaged in +contemplating changes in the prosperity of colonies and means of +enriching themselves, they positively disregard personal comfort, +and a restless spirit of activity and love of change animates +them wholly. In these respects there is a great similarity of +character between them and the Americans, and it is inconceivable +in how short a period of time such a change is brought about.</p> + +<h3>THE ABORIGINES.</h3> + +<p><a name="chapter9"></a></p> + +<h2>CHAPTER 9. NATIVE LANGUAGE.</h2> + +<p>RADICAL UNITY OF THE AUSTRALIAN LANGUAGE THROUGHOUT THE +CONTINENT.</p> + +<p>In the preceding narrative of my Expeditions I have +occasionally introduced some casual incidents relating to the +manners and social condition of the natives of Australia, a race +generally considered to occupy too low a position in the scale of +humanity to be worthy of any peculiar regard. In the following +pages I shall bring together such observations as my intercourse +with them enabled me to collect; arranging my remarks under the +heads of Language, traditional or customary Laws, and social +Habits and Manners; and to these I shall add some desultory +anecdotes illustrative of their superstitions, and of some other +peculiarities of thought and action; and shall conclude with a +short review of the influence that the settlement of Europeans +among them has, or is likely to have, on their condition.</p> + +<p>CAUSES OF A CONTRARY OPINION.</p> + +<p>It has hitherto been very generally believed that the +languages spoken in different portions of the continent of +Australia are radically distinct; and as such a circumstance, +were it really the case, would tend to prove that its inhabitants +originated from several separate races, it becomes rather an +important matter to set this question at rest, and to endeavour +to show from what cause so erroneous an opinion originated.</p> + +<p>The arguments which prove that all the Australian dialects +have a common root are:</p> + +<p>1. A general similarity of sound and structure of words in the +different portions of Australia, as far as yet ascertained</p> + +<p>2. The recurrence of the same word with the same +signification, to be traced, in many instances, round the entire +continent, but undergoing, of course, in so vast an extent of +country, various modifications;</p> + +<p>3. The same names of natives occurring frequently at totally +opposite portions of the continent. Now, in all parts of it which +are known to Europeans, it is ascertained that the natives name +their children from any remarkable circumstance which may occur +soon after their birth; such being the case, an accordance of the +names of natives is a proof of a similarity of dialect.</p> + +<p>CAUSES OF ERROR IN ENQUIRERS.</p> + +<p>The chief cause of the misapprehension which has so long +existed with regard to the point under consideration is that the +language of the aborigines of Australia abounds in synonymes, +many of which are, for a time, altogether local; so that, for +instance, the inhabitants of a particular district will use one +word for water, whilst those of a neighbouring district will +apply another, which appears to be a totally different one. But +when I found out that in such instances as these both tribes +understood the words which either made use of, and merely +employed another one, from temporary fashion and caprice, I felt +convinced that the language generally spoken to Europeans by the +natives of any one small district could not be considered as a +fair specimen of the general language of that part of Australia, +and therefore in the vocabulary which I compiled in Western +Australia I introduced words collected from a very extensive +tract of country.</p> + +<p>Again, in getting the names of the parts of the body, etc., +from the natives, many causes of error arise; for they have names +for almost every minute portion of the human frame: thus, in +asking the name for the arm, one stranger would get the name for +the upper arm, another for the lower arm, another for the right +arm, another for the left arm, etc.; and it therefore seems most +probable that in the earlier stages of the inquiry into the +nature of the language of this people these circumstances +contributed mainly to the erroneous conclusion that languages +radically different were spoken in remote parts of the +continent.</p> + +<p>PROOFS OF IDENTITY OF THE LANGUAGE THROUGHOUT THE +CONTINENT.</p> + +<p>One singularity in the dialects spoken by the aborigines in +different portions of Australia is that those of districts widely +removed from one another sometimes assimilate very closely, +whilst the dialects spoken in the intermediate ones differ +considerably from either of them. The same circumstances take +place with regard to their rites and customs; but as this appears +rather to belong to the question of the means by which this race +was distributed over so extensive a tract of country, I will not +now enter into it, but merely adduce sufficient evidence to prove +that a language radically the same is spoken over the whole +continent.</p> + +<p>If then we start from Perth in Western Australia, following +the coast in a southerly direction, it will be found that between +Perth and King George's Sound a common language is spoken, made +up of several dialects, scarcely differing from one another in +any material points and gradually merging into the dialects of +these two places, as the points considered are nearer to one or +the other.</p> + +<p>The principal causes of difference between the dialects of +these two places are, 1st, that at King George's Sound the +terminating syllable of all names is dropped; and 2nd, that all +verbs, with a very few exceptions, end in gur, instead of the +varying termination which is given to them at Perth. Any person +who can speak the Perth dialect will, by observing these two +rules, be able to converse freely with the natives of King +George's Sound.</p> + +<center> +<p><a name="grey2-34"></a><img alt="" src="images/grey2-34.jpg"></p> +</center> + +<p>From these examples it will be seen that the King George's +Sound dialect is the simplest of the two; and indeed I am +inclined to believe that the dialect there spoken is more simple +than that in use at any other portion of the continent.</p> + +<p>If we now proceed to Adelaide in South Australia we still find +the same language spoken, but the dialect here is considerably +softened; the hard g of Perth is exchanged for k, and b becomes p +and w. Many of the nouns take -anga as a termination, and the +verbs take -andi and -endi. This addition of soft terminations +and a general sweetness of sound appear to be the peculiar +characteristics of the Adelaide dialect. No large vocabulary of +this language has yet been published, but one-eighth of the words +known as belonging to the Perth dialect have been found also in +that of Adelaide; we may therefore fairly conclude that when the +latter language is better known a still greater degree of +identity will be found to exist.</p> + +<p>Natives from several parts of the Murray and Murrumbidgee and +from Port Phillip have been brought into communication with +natives from King George's Sound, scanty vocabularies from some +of these points are also extant, and the amount of evidence thus +gained clearly establishes that the several dialects are all +derived from a common root.</p> + +<p>The labours of Mr. Threlkeld in the vicinity of Hunter's River +and Lake Macquarie enable us to compare the language of that +portion of Australia with those of the other points which we have +just considered, and the result of this comparison also shows +that the languages are radically the same.</p> + +<p>TABLES OF EXAMPLES.</p> + +<p>The following Tables will give a sufficient number of words +common to those four dialects to show the degree of similarity +which exists among them.</p> + +<center> +<p><a name="grey2-29"></a><img alt="" src="images/grey2-29.jpg"></p> +</center> + +<p>VARIATIONS OF DIALECT.</p> + +<p>Now before proceeding farther and thus entering upon ground +which is very little known, there are several important +circumstances worthy of consideration. In the vast extent of +country which is comprised between the points embraced in these +tables it was to have been expected that very great variations of +dialect would have been found. If we only reflect upon the +differences of dialect existing between the several counties of +England, so limited in extent, how much greater were the +variations to have been reasonably anticipated in a country +between two and three thousand miles across, where an unwritten +language is in use, and where no communication whatever takes +place between the inhabitants of distant portions: moreover in +this great extent the vegetation becomes totally different; +birds, reptiles, and quadrupeds inhabit one portion of the +continent which are unknown in another, and external nature +altogether changes. Under these circumstances many new words must +have been invented, and new terms must constantly have been +introduced as the population spread across the country, and as +those who were constantly pushing on from the outskirts of the +inhabited parts ceased to communicate with the districts which +had been first peopled, these changes must have been unknown to +the original inhabitants of the continent and to those of their +descendants who successively inhabited their territory.</p> + +<p>If for instance this country was first peopled from the north +or the tropical parts, the most remote inhabitants of the +southern portions must have invented terms for snow, ice, hail, +intense cold, etc., as well as for every tree and bird, for every +fish and reptile, and for every insect; all the compound and +comparative terms derived from these, as well as the original +words, we ought therefore to expect to find totally different in +the languages of the north and south, of the east and west; and +from whatever portion of the continent we imagine the first +inhabitants to have proceeded the same reasoning holds good.</p> + +<p>RADICAL IDENTITY OF THE PRONOUNS.</p> + +<p>But personal terms, such as the parts of the body, the +pronouns, etc., and also verbs describing ordinary actions, ought +not to be expected to vary in the same degree; and we shall +accordingly find that it is chiefly in words of these and similar +classes that the greatest degree of resemblance is found to +exist. With regard to the pronouns this is very remarkable. In +the singular, plural, and dual numbers they almost coincide in +Western Australia, South Australia, and Sydney. The following +table of the pronouns as used in those places will show this:</p> + +<p>TABLE OF PRONOUNS.</p> + +<center> +<p><a name="grey2-35"></a><img alt="" src="images/grey2-35.jpg"></p> +</center> + +<p>DIFFERENCES OF DIALECT EXPLAINED. EXAMPLES.</p> + +<p>To those who have not considered this circumstance languages +have frequently appeared to be quite different which in reality +are closely assimilated. Two instances will explain my meaning. +The natives in the vicinity of Perth generally use the word +gab-by, or kuyp-e, for water, but those inhabiting a district +only twelve or fourteen miles distant from Perth adopt the word +kow-win; the word used by the natives in the vicinity of Adelaide +in South Australia for water is kauw-ee. Now, on comparing these +words it might have been hastily concluded that the languages of +West and South Australia were without affinity; but in fact the +variation does not constitute any essential difference, for, +considering the interchangeable nature of the consonants b, p, +and w, and of g and k, which affect different dialects, we shall +find the words gab-by, kuyp-e, kow-win and kauw-ee to be only +different forms from one root. One instance of another kind may +be given. The word for the sun at Perth is nganga, whilst at +Adelaide it is tin-dee; but the word used by the natives at +Encounter Bay, South Australia, thirty-six miles from Adelaide, +is ngon-ge, and the word used in the southern districts of +Western Australia for the stars is tiendee: thus by extending the +vocabularies of the two places the identity of the language is +shown.</p> + +<p>CAUSES OF ERROR IN FORMER ENQUIRERS.</p> + +<p>Up to the present time we have had only very meagre +vocabularies, collected by passing strangers, each of whom +adopted his own system of orthography, and the comparisons formed +from such compilations must necessarily have been erroneous in +the highest degree. Moreover in many instances these strangers +were grossly imposed upon. One gentleman published a vocabulary +of the King George's Sound dialect which has been largely quoted +from by other writers; in this the numerals as high as ten are +given, although the natives only count to four; and the +translations of some words which he has put down as numbers are +very humorous, such as: What do you mean? Get out, etc.</p> + +<p>COMMON ORIGIN OF NATIVE POPULATION.</p> + +<p>Many words spoken by the natives at Shark Bay are the same as +those used by the natives at Perth, and the dialect in use in the +Province of Victoria appears very nearly to assimilate to the +latter, as is shown in the extracts from Mr. Moore's journal at +page 120. Having thus traced the entire of the coastline of the +continent of Australia, it appears that a language the same in +root is spoken throughout this vast extent of country; and from +the general agreement in this as well as in personal appearance, +rites, and ceremonies, we may fairly infer a community of origin +for the aborigines. This being admitted, two other questions will +arise.</p> + +<p>How were they disseminated over the continent?</p> + +<p>and</p> + +<p>At what period, and from what quarter, did they arrive upon +it?</p> + +<p><a name="chapter10"></a></p> + +<h2>CHAPTER 10. THEIR TRADITIONAL LAWS.</h2> + +<p>ERRORS OF THEORETICAL WRITERS REGARDING THE SAVAGE STATE.</p> + +<p>No question has, in as far as I can apprehend the subject, +been so utterly misunderstood and misrepresented as the one +relating to the customs and traditional laws of savage races. +Deistical writers and philosophers of great note but small +experience have built up whole theories, and have either +overturned or striven to overturn ancient faiths and wholesome +laws by arguments deduced, in the first instance, from the +consideration of man in his simple or savage state; and from +false premises they have deduced, logically, argument from +argument, until even the most unwilling have begun to doubt.</p> + +<p>COMPLEX LAWS OF SAVAGE LIFE.</p> + +<p>But to believe that man in a savage state is endowed with +freedom either of thought or action is erroneous in the highest +degree. He is in reality subjected to complex laws which not only +deprive him of all free agency of thought, but at the same time, +by allowing no scope whatever for the development of intellect, +benevolence, or any other great moral qualification, they +necessarily bind him down in a hopeless state of barbarism from +which it is impossible for man to emerge so long as he is +enthralled by these customs; which, on the other hand, are so +ingeniously devised as to have a direct tendency to annihilate +any effort that is made to overthrow them.</p> + +<p>This people reject in practice all idea of the equality of +persons or classes; they make indeed no verbal distinctions upon +this point, and if asked, were all men equal? they would be +unable to comprehend the question; but there is no race that +imposes more irksome restraints upon certain classes of the +community.</p> + +<p>CHARACTER OF THE NATIVE CUSTOMS. THEIR GENERALITY.</p> + +<p>The whole tendency of their superstitions and traditional +regulations is to produce the effect of depriving certain classes +of benefits which are enjoyed by others; and this monopolizing of +advantages often possesses amongst savages many characteristics +which violate all the holier feelings of our nature, and excite a +disgust of which it is divested in civilized life. In the latter +case we see certain privileges even hereditarily enjoyed; but the +weak and strong, the rich and poor, the young and old have paths +of honourable ambition laid open to them by entering on which +they can gain like immunities. While in the savage condition we +find the female sex, the young, and the weak, condemned to a +hopeless state of degradation and to a lasting deprivation of +particular advantages merely because they are defenceless; and +what they are deprived of is given to others merely because they +are old or strong: and this is not effected by personal violence, +depending upon momentary caprice and individual disposition (in +which case it might be considered as the consequence of a state +of equality) but it is enforced upon the natives of Australia by +traditional laws and customs which are by them considered as +valid and binding as our laws are by us.</p> + +<p>CONSIDERATIONS ON THEIR ORIGIN.</p> + +<p>The laws and customs alluded to cannot be considered as mere +local institutions, for travellers and residents in the northern +provinces of the colony of New South Wales describe as existing +there usages nearly identical with those which regulate the +proceedings of the natives occupying the west of the continent. +And these testimonies cannot be doubted for they are incidentally +introduced without any theoretical bias and in ignorance of the +conformity they tend to prove. Natives from the country about the +Murrumbidgee have described to me Australian customs as being in +force there which exhibit the same accordance with those I found +in the west; and I have myself ascertained their existence on +several other portions of the continent. But it is remarkable +that, although so many persons have described isolated customs of +this people, no one has yet taken the trouble to digest them into +one mass, and to exhibit them in the aggregate, so that an +inference might be drawn as to how far the state in which the +natives of Australia are at present found is caused by the +institutions to which they are subjected.</p> + +<p>We find then, in Australia, the remarkable fact that the +inhabitants of a tract of country nearly two thousand miles in +breadth are governed by the same institutions: and what renders +this more singular is that the people submitted to them are not +subjected by written rules of faith, which the chiefs of each +race may interpret and modify according to their will; as is the +case with those who are governed by the Koran or other similar +codes; but in this instance mere oral traditions are handed down, +which teach that certain rules of conduct are to be observed +under certain penalties, and without the aid of fixed records, or +the intervention of a succession of authorized depositaries and +expounders these laws have been transmitted from father to son +through unknown generations, and are fixed in the minds of the +people as sacred and unalterable.</p> + +<p>DEISTICAL REVERIES CONFUTED BY EXPERIENCE.</p> + +<p>One common mode of argument among deistical writers is to +imagine barbarous man let loose upon the earth without undergoing +any previous preparation for the scene upon which he was about to +enter; and they then trace out how, urged on by his necessities +and aided by his senses, he successively discovered the natural +productions necessary for his subsistence and the arts which +ministered to his wants, until step by step he mounted to the +pinnacle of civilization. But these are merely reveries of the +closet, dreams of the inexperienced, and have no real foundation +in as far at least as Australia is concerned. That the first +natives who were placed on that continent must have been +instructed how to provide for their wants, how to form weapons +suited to their circumstances, how to select roots, and to +capture animals fitted for food, has been demonstrated over and +over again, but at no time more forcibly than when the portion of +my party, under Mr. Walker, were coming overland from Gantheaume +Bay to Perth. In this case six full-grown men, provided with +knives, fishing-hooks and lines, a kettle, vessels to hold water +and cook their food, arms, and a small quantity of ammunition, +and many of them possessing considerable experience in the bush, +must all have perished from hunger had not timely assistance +reached them; and this from their ignorance as to which of the +productions surrounding them would serve to support life, and not +from neglect in making the requisite experiments to endeavour to +ascertain this, for the poor fellows ate everything they could +find which appeared to afford sustenance; yet notwithstanding all +the comparative advantages they were in possession of, if the +relief sent from Perth had not reached them, death must have +overtaken all. The same result has frequently occurred under +nearly similar circumstances. If then men, full-grown, in the +complete possession of all their faculties, provided with fire +and many useful implements, and aided by considerable experience, +from ignorance of the natural productions of a country, and the +means of procuring these, die from hunger ere they can learn how +to supply their wants, is it probable that an unarmed, naked, +untaught man, who knew not even how to make his senses act in +concert until he had from experience acquired this knowledge, +could by any possibility have avoided a fate, which would +inevitably overtake the European in possession of all his +superior energies of mind and character, if he chance not to fall +in with friendly natives.</p> + +<p>ENQUIRY INTO THE ORIGIN OF THE NATIVE LAWS.</p> + +<p>The laws of this people are unfitted for the government of a +single isolated family, some of them being only adapted for the +regulation of an assemblage of families; they could therefore not +have been a series of rules given by the first father to his +children: again, they could not have been rules given by an +assembly of the first fathers to their children, for there are +these remarkable features about them that some are of such a +nature as to compel those subject to them to remain in a state of +barbarism, whilst others are adapted to the wants and necessities +of savage RACES, as well as to prevent too close intermarriages +of a people who preserve no written or symbolical records of any +kind; and in all these instances the desired ends are obtained by +the simplest means, so that we are necessitated to admit that, +when these rules were planned it was foreseen that the race +submitted to them would be savages, and under this foresight the +necessary provision was made for the event.</p> + +<p>We cannot argue that this race was originally in a state of +civilization, and that from the introduction of certain laws +amongst them, the tendency of which was to reduce them to a state +of barbarism, or from some other cause, they had gradually sunk +to their present condition; for in that case how could those laws +which provide solely for the necessities of a people in their +present state have been introduced amongst them? Neither could +they have been invented according to necessities and emergencies +which a savage state has produced, for under such circumstances +it is impossible that they could have been promulgated and +enforced throughout so wide a range of country, and amongst a +dispersed race of barbarians of such a variety of dispositions, +who acknowledge no chief or lawgiver, and are so +characteristically impatient of restraint.</p> + +<p>Without in this place attempting to form and to support any +theories founded upon the views I have just put forward, I may +state my impression that it would seem, from the laws and customs +of the natives of Australia, to have been willed that this people +should until a certain period remain in their present condition, +which is consequently not the result of mere accident, or of the +natural constitution of man. From the peculiar nature of their +institutions it was impossible that they could emerge from a +state of barbarism whilst these remained in force, and from the +tenacity and undeviating strictness with which they are retained, +and the strong power they hold over the savage mind, it seems +equally impossible that they could have been abrogated, or even +altered, until the race subjected to them came into contact with +a civilized community whose presence might exercise a new +influence, under which the ancient system would expire or be +swept away.</p> + +<p>We may, I think, fairly produce this as a proof that the +progress of civilization over the earth has been directed, set +bounds to, and regulated by certain laws framed by Infinite +wisdom; and, although such views may by some be deemed visionary, +I feel some confidence that these laws are as certain and +definite as those which control the movements of the heavenly +bodies. I believe moreover, that they are capable in some degree +of being studied and reduced to order, although no attempt to do +so has hitherto been made; and the institutions of barbarous +races, their probable origin, the effects they have upon the +people submitted to them, the evidences of design which they +contain, and other similar questions, are those points to which +in this enquiry attention should be particularly directed.</p> + +<p>CONCLUDING OBSERVATIONS.</p> + +<p>The progress of events and the rapid march of science in our +country are very wonderful, but the progress of events in the +eastern hemisphere at the present moment is still more amazing: +Christianity and civilization are marching over the world with a +rapidity not fully known or estimated by any one nation; the +English are scarcely aware what has been effected by their own +missionaries and commerce, and they are utterly ignorant of what +has been already done, and is now doing, by the Americans, Dutch, +and Portuguese.</p> + +<p><a name="chapter11"></a></p> + +<h2>CHAPTER 11. LAWS OF RELATIONSHIP, MARRIAGE, AND +INHERITANCE.</h2> + +<p>RELATIONSHIP AND MARRIAGE. DIVISION OF FAMILIES.</p> + +<p>Traditional Laws of Relationship and Marriage.</p> + +<p>One of the most remarkable facts connected with the natives is +that they are divided into certain great families, all the +members of which bear the same names, as a family, or second +name: the principal branches of these families, so far as I have +been able to ascertain, are the:</p> + +<p>Ballaroke<br> +Tdondarup<br> +Ngotak<br> +Nagarnook<br> +Nogonyuk<br> +Mongalung<br> +Narrangur.</p> + +<p>But in different districts the members of these families give +a local name to the one to which they belong, which is understood +in that district to indicate some particular branch of the +principal family. The most common local names are:</p> + +<p>Didaroke<br> +Gwerrinjoke<br> +Maleoke<br> +Waddaroke<br> +Djekoke<br> +Kotejumeno<br> +Namyungo<br> +Yungaree.</p> + +<p>These family names are common over a great portion of the +continent; for instance, on the Western coast, in a tract of +country extending between four and five hundred miles in +latitude, members of all these families are found. In South +Australia I met a man who said that he belonged to one of them, +and Captain Flinders mentions Yungaree as the name of a native in +the gulf of Carpentaria.</p> + +<p>LAW OF MARRIAGE.</p> + +<p>These family names are perpetuated and spread through the +country by the operation of two remarkable laws:</p> + +<p>1. That children of either sex always take the family name of +their mother.</p> + +<p>2. That a man cannot marry a woman of his own family name.</p> + +<p>COINCIDENT INSTITUTIONS AMONGST THE NORTH AMERICAN +INDIANS.</p> + +<p>But not the least singular circumstance connected with these +institutions is their coincidence with those of the North +American Indians, which are thus stated in the Archaeologia +Americana:*</p> + +<p>Independent of political or geographical divisions, that into +families or clans has been established from time immemorial. At +what time and in what manner the division was first made is not +known. At present, or till very lately, every nation was divided +into a number of clans, varying in the several nations from three +to eight or ten, the members of which respectively were dispersed +indiscriminately throughout the whole nation. It has been fully +ascertained that the inviolable regulations by which those clans +were perpetuated amongst the southern nations were, first, that +no man could marry in his own clan; secondly, that every child +belongs to his or her mother's clan. Among the Choctaws there are +two great divisions, each of which is subdivided into four clans, +and no man can marry in any of the four clans belonging to his +division. The restriction among the Cherokees, the Creeks, and +the Natches, does not extend beyond the clan to which the man +belongs.</p> + +<p>There are sufficient proofs, that the same division into +clans, commonly called tribes, exists among almost all the other +Indian nations. But it is not so clear that they are subject to +the same regulations which prevail amongst the southern +Indians.</p> + +<blockquote>(*Footnote. Volume 2 page 109.)</blockquote> + +<hr align="center" width="25%"> +<p>A similar law of consanguinity seems to be inferred in +Abraham's reply to Abimelech (Genesis 20:12) And yet indeed she +is my sister; she is the daughter of my father, but not the +daughter of my mother, and she became my wife.</p> + +<p>FAMILY NAMES AND SIGNS. ORIGIN OF FAMILY NAMES.</p> + +<p>The origin of these family names is attributed by the natives +to different causes, but I think that enough is not yet known on +the subject to enable us to form an accurate opinion on this +point. One origin frequently assigned by the natives is that they +were derived from some vegetable or animal being very common in +the district which the family inhabited, and that hence the name +of this animal or vegetable became applied to the family. I have +in my published vocabulary of the native language, under each +family name, given its derivations as far as I could collect them +from the statements of the natives.</p> + +<p>But as each family adopts some animal or vegetable as their +crest or sign, or Kobong, as they call it, I imagine it more +likely that these have been named after the families than that +the families have been named after them.</p> + +<p>SECOND COINCIDENCE.</p> + +<p>A certain mysterious connection exists between a family and +its kobong, so that a member of the family will never kill an +animal of the species to which his kobong belongs, should he find +it asleep; indeed he always kills it reluctantly, and never +without affording it a chance to escape. This arises from the +family belief that some one individual of the species is their +nearest friend, to kill whom would be a great crime, and to be +carefully avoided. Similarly a native who has a vegetable for his +kobong may not gather it under certain circumstances and at a +particular period of the year. The North American Indians have +this same custom of taking some animal as their sign. Thus it is +stated in the Archaeologia Americana:* "Each tribe has the name +of some animal. Among the Hurons the first tribe is that of the +bear; the two others of the wolf and turtle. The Iroquois nation +has the same divisions, only the turtle family is divided into +two, the great and the little." And again, in speaking of the +Sioux tribes:** "Each of these derives its name from some animal, +part of an animal, or other substance which is considered as the +peculiar sacred object or medicine, as the Canadians call it, of +each band respectively." To this we may add the testimony of John +Long, who says,*** "one part of the religious superstition of the +savages consists in each of them having his totem, or favourite +spirit, which he believes watches over him. This totem they +conceive assumes the shape of some beast or other, and therefore +they never kill, hunt, or eat the animal whose form they think +the totem bears."</p> + +<blockquote>(*Footnote. Volume 2 page 109 quoting from Charlevoix +volume 3 page 266.)</blockquote> + +<blockquote>(**Footnote. Ibid page 110 quoting from Major Long's +Exp. volume 1 chapter 15.)</blockquote> + +<blockquote>(***Footnote. Voyages and Travels page +86.)</blockquote> + +<p>Civilized nations, in their heraldic bearings, preserve traces +of the same custom.</p> + +<p>BETROTHMENTS AND MARRIAGES.</p> + +<p>Female children are always betrothed within a few days after +their birth; and from the moment they are betrothed the parents +cease to have any control over the future settlement of their +child. Should the first husband die before the girl has attained +the years of puberty she then belongs to his heir.</p> + +<p>A girl lives with her husband at any age she pleases, no +control whatever is in this way placed upon her inclinations.</p> + +<p>WIDOWS.</p> + +<p>When a native dies his brother inherits his wives and +children, but his brother must be of the same family name as +himself. The widow goes to her second husband's hut three days +after the death of her first.</p> + +<p>The old men manage to keep the females a good deal amongst +themselves, giving their daughters to one another, and the more +female children they have the greater chance have they of getting +another wife by this sort of exchange; but the women have +generally some favourite amongst the young men, always looking +forward to be his wife at the death of her husband.</p> + +<p>OBLIGATIONS OF RELATIONSHIP. DIVISION OF FAMILY BRANCHES.</p> + +<p>But a most remarkable law is that which obliges families +connected by blood upon the female side to join for the purpose +of defence and avenging crimes; and as the father marries several +wives, and very often all of different families, his children are +repeatedly all divided amongst themselves; no common bond of +union exists between them, and this custom alone would be +sufficient to prevent this people ever emerging from the savage +state.</p> + +<p>As their laws are principally made up of sets of obligations +due from members of the same great family towards one +another--which obligations of family names are much stronger than +those of blood--it is evident that a vast influence upon the +manners and state of this people must be brought about by this +arrangement into classes. I therefore devoted a great portion of +my attention to this point, but the mass of materials I have +collected is so large that it would occupy much more time to +arrange it than I have been able to spare so as to do full +justice to the subject; but in order to give an accurate idea of +the nature of the enquiries I pursued I have given in the +Appendix A a short genealogical list which will show the manner +in which a native gives birth to a progeny of a totally different +family name to himself; so that a district of country never +remains for two successive generations in the same family. These +observations, as well as others made with regard to the natives, +can be only considered to apply, as yet, to that portion of +Western Australia lying between the 30th and 35th parallels of +south latitude unless the contrary is expressly stated; though I +think there is strong reason to suppose that they will, in +general, be found to obtain throughout the continent.</p> + +<p>DIFFICULTY OF PURSUING THE ENQUIRY.</p> + +<p>It is impossible for any person not well acquainted with the +language of the natives and who does not possess great personal +influence over them to pursue an inquiry of this nature; for one +of the customs most rigidly observed and enforced amongst them is +never to mention the name of a deceased person, male or female. +In an inquiry therefore which principally turns upon the names of +their ancestors this prejudice must be every moment violated, and +a very great difficulty has thus to be encountered in the outset. +The only circumstance which at all enabled me to overcome this +was that the longer a person has been dead the less repugnance do +they evince in uttering his name. I therefore in the first +instance endeavoured to ascertain only the oldest names on +record; and on subsequent occasions, when I found a native alone +and in a loquacious humour, I succeeded in filling up some of the +blanks. Occasionally round their fires at night I managed to +involve them in disputes regarding their ancestors, and on these +occasions gleaned much of the information of which I was in +want.</p> + +<p>LAWS OF LANDED PROPERTY. RIGHTS AND BOUNDARIES. PROPERTY +VESTED IN INDIVIDUALS.</p> + +<p>Traditional Laws relative to Landed Property.</p> + +<p>Landed property does not belong to a tribe, or to several +families, but to a single male; and the limits of his property +are so accurately defined that every native knows those of his +own land, and can point out the various objects which mark his +boundary. I cannot establish the fact and the universality of +this institution better than by the following letter addressed by +Dr. Lang, the Principal of Sydney College, New South Wales, to +Dr. Hodgkin, the zealous advocate of the Aboriginal Races:*</p> + +<blockquote>(*Footnote. Extracted from the Reports of the +Aboriginal Protection Society.)</blockquote> + +<p>Liverpool, 15th November 1840.</p> + +<p>My Dear Friend,</p> + +<p>In reply to the question which you proposed to me some time +ago in the course of conversation in London, and of which you +have reminded me in the letter I had the pleasure of receiving +from you yesterday, with the pamphlets and letters for America, +namely, Whether the Aborigines of the Australian continent have +any idea of property in land, I beg to answer most decidedly in +the affirmative. It is well known that these Aborigines in no +instance cultivate the soil, but subsist entirely by hunting and +fishing, and on the wild roots they find in certain localities +(especially the common fern) with occasionally a little wild +honey; indigenous fruits being exceedingly rare. The whole race +is divided into tribes, more or less numerous, according to +circumstances, and designated from the localities they inhabit; +for although universally a wandering race, with respect to places +of habitation, their wanderings are circumscribed by certain +well-defined limits, beyond which they seldom pass, except for +purposes of war or festivity. In short, every tribe has its own +district, the boundaries of which are well known to the natives +generally; and within that district all the wild animals are +considered as much the property of the tribe inhabiting, or +rather ranging on, its whole extent, as the flocks of sheep and +herds of cattle that have been introduced into the country by +adventurous Europeans are held by European law and usage the +property of their respective owners. In fact, as the country is +occupied chiefly for pastoral purposes, the difference between +the Aboriginal and the European ideas of property in the soil is +more imaginary than real, the native grass affording subsistence +to the kangaroos of the natives as well as to the wild cattle of +the Europeans, and the only difference indeed being that the +former are not branded with a particular mark like the latter, +and are somewhat wilder and more difficult to catch.</p> + +<p>EFFECTS OF EUROPEAN APPROPRIATION.</p> + +<p>Nay, as the European regards the intrusion of any other white +man upon the cattle-run, of which European law and usage have +made him the possessor, and gets it punished as a trespass, the +Aborigines of the particular tribe inhabiting a particular +district regard the intrusion of any other tribe of Aborigines +upon that district, for the purposes of kangaroo hunting, etc., +as an intrusion to be resisted and punished by force of arms. In +short this is the frequent cause of Aboriginal, as it is of +European wars; man, in his natural state, being very much alike +in all conditions--jealous of his rights and exceedingly +pugnacious. It is true the European intruders pay no respect to +these Aboriginal divisions of the territory, the black native +being often hunted off his own ground or destroyed by European +violence, dissipation, or disease, just as his kangaroos are +driven off that ground by the European's black cattle; but this +surely does not alter the case as to the right of the +Aborigines.</p> + +<p>UNIVERSALITY OF THIS CUSTOM.</p> + +<p>But particular districts are not merely the property of +particular tribes; particular sections or portions of these +districts are universally recognised by the natives as the +property of individual members of these tribes; and when the +owner of such a section or portion of territory (as I ascertained +was the case at King George's Island) has determined on burning +off the grass on his land, which is done for the double purpose +of enabling the natives to take the older animals more easily, +and to provide a new crop of sweeter grass for the rising +generation of the forest, not only all the other individuals of +his own tribe, but whole tribes from other districts, are invited +to the hunting party and the feast and dance, or corroboree that +ensue; the wild animals on the ground being all considered the +property of the owner of the land. I have often heard natives +myself tell me, in answer to my own questions on the subject, who +were the Aboriginal owners of particular tracts of land now held +by Europeans; and indeed this idea of property in the soil, FOR +HUNTING PURPOSES, is universal among the Aborigines. They seldom +complain of the intrusion of Europeans; on the contrary, they are +pleased at their sitting down, as they call it, on their land: +they do not perceive that their own circumstances are thereby +sadly altered for the worse in most cases; that their means of +subsistence are gradually more and more limited, and their +numbers rapidly diminished: in short, in the simplicity of their +hearts, they take the frozen adder in their bosom, and it stings +them to death. They look for a benefit or blessing from European +intercourse, and it becomes their ruin.</p> + +<p>If I had had a little more leisure I would have written more +at length and in a style more worthy of your perusal; but you may +take it as certain, at all events, that the Aborigines of +Australia HAVE an idea of property in the soil in their native +and original state, and that that idea is, in reality, not very +different from that of the European proprietors of sheep and +cattle, by whom they have, in so many instances been +dispossessed, without the slightest consideration of their rights +or feelings.</p> + +<p>Indeed the infinity of the native names of places, all of +which are descriptive and appropriate, is of itself a prima facie +evidence of their having strong ideas of property in the soil; +for it is only where such ideas are entertained and acted on that +we find, as is certainly the case in Australia, Nullum sine +nomine saxum.</p> + +<p>I am, my dear Friend,</p> + +<p>Your's very sincerely,</p> + +<p>JOHN DUNMORE LANG.</p> + +<p>To Dr. Hodgkin.</p> + +<hr align="center" width="25%"> +<p>LAWS OF INHERITANCE AND TRESPASS. LINE OF INHERITANCE.</p> + +<p>A father divides his land during his lifetime, fairly +apportioning it amongst his several sons, and at as early an age +as fourteen or fifteen they can point out the portion which they +are eventually to inherit.</p> + +<p>If the males of a family become extinct the male children of +the daughters inherit their grandfather's land.</p> + +<p>CERTAIN LAWS REGARDING ARTICLES OF FOOD.</p> + +<p>The punishment of trespass for the purpose of hunting, is +invariably death, if taken in the fact, and at the very least an +obstinate contest ensues. If the trespasser is not taken in the +fact, but is recognised from his footmarks, or from any other +circumstance, and is ever caught in a defenceless state, he is +probably killed; but if he appears attended by his friends he is +speared through the thigh, in a manner which will be mentioned +under the head of punishments.</p> + +<p>There are other laws intended for the preservation of food, +such as that which enjoins that:</p> + +<p>1. No vegetable production used by the natives as food should +be plucked or gathered when bearing seed.</p> + +<p>2. That certain classes of natives should not eat particular +articles of food; this restriction being tantamount to game laws, +which preserve certain choice and scarce articles of food from +being so generally destroyed as those which are more +abundant.</p> + +<p>3. The law regarding the family kobongs, mentioned above.</p> + +<p>Independent of these laws there are certain articles of food +which they reject in one portion of the continent and which are +eaten in another; and that this rejection does not arise from the +noxious qualities of the article is plain, for it is sometimes +not only of an innocent nature but both palatable and nutritious: +I may take for example the unio, which the natives of South-west +Australia will not eat because, according to a tradition, a long +time ago some natives ate them and died through the agency of +certain sorcerers who looked upon that shellfish as their +peculiar property.</p> + +<p><a name="chapter12"></a></p> + +<h2>CHAPTER 12. CRIMES AND PUNISHMENTS.</h2> + +<p>Laws relative to Deaths and Punishments.</p> + +<p>SUPERSTITIOUS REVENGE OF NATURAL DEATH. The natives do not +allow that there is such a thing as a death from natural causes; +they believe that were it not for murderers or the malignity of +sorcerers they might live for ever: hence:</p> + +<p>When a native dies from the effect of an accident or from some +natural cause they use a variety of superstitious ceremonies to +ascertain in what direction the sorcerer lives, whose evil +practices have brought about the death of their relative; this +point being satisfactorily settled by friendly sorcerers, they +then attach the crime to some individual, and the funeral +obsequies are scarcely concluded ere they start to avenge their +supposed wrongs.</p> + +<p>MURDER.</p> + +<p>If a native is slain by another wilfully they kill the +murderer or any of his friends they can lay hands on.</p> + +<p>If a native kills another accidentally he is punished +according to the circumstances of the case; for instance, if, in +inflicting spear wounds as a punishment for some offence, one of +the agents should spear the culprit through the thigh, and +accidentally so injure the femoral artery that he dies, the man +who did so would have to submit to be speared through both thighs +himself.</p> + +<p>CONSEQUENCES OF A CRIME COMMITTED.</p> + +<p>The first great principle with regard to punishments is that +all the relatives of a culprit, in the event of his not being +found, are implicated in his guilt; if therefore the principal +cannot be caught his brother or father will answer nearly as +well, and failing these, any other male or female relatives who +may fall into the hands of the avenging party.</p> + +<p>When therefore it is known among the natives that any crime +which calls for a very heavy measure of punishment has been +committed great and widespread consternation prevails; and when +it is further ascertained that the culprit has escaped everyone +in the remotest degree connected with him becomes filled with +anxiety, for it is impossible to tell in what direction the blow +will fall. The brothers of the criminal conceive themselves to be +quite as guilty as he is, and only those who are jee-dyte, or +unconnected with the family of the guilty person, believe +themselves in safety. Little children of seven or eight years +old, if, whilst playing, they hear that some murder has taken +place, can in a moment tell whether or not they are jee-dyte, +and, even at this tender age take their measures accordingly.</p> + +<p>DUTY OF REVENGE.</p> + +<p>The moment any great crime has been committed those who have +witnessed it raise loud cries, which are taken up by more distant +natives and are echoed widely through the woods. The nature of +these cries indicates who has been the guilty party, who the +sufferer, and those who are jee-dyte; whilst those who are +involved in the guilt direct one another by their calls to what +point to repair and muster their several forces: the culprit and +generally his brothers and near relatives seek safety in a +precipitate flight.</p> + +<p>If a native has been slain his near male relations give way to +the most violent paroxysms of rage, and are forcibly held by +their friends to prevent them doing some injury to the +bystanders; they then go and confront the body of those who are +the relatives of the murderer, and a stormy altercation takes +place; this generally however is terminated in an amicable way, +by the parties uniting to go in search of the culprit. It is +obviously the interest of every one that he should be caught and +punished; for until this takes place the whole of his connexions +are in danger.</p> + +<p>The holiest duty a native is called on to perform is that of +avenging the death of his nearest relation, for it is his +peculiar duty to do so: until he has fulfilled this task he is +constantly taunted by the old women; his wives, if he be married, +would soon quit him; if he is unmarried not a single young woman +would speak to him; his mother would constantly cry and lament +she should ever have given birth to so degenerate a son; his +father would treat him with contempt, and reproaches would +constantly be sounded in his ear.</p> + +<p>PURSUIT OF A CRIMINAL.</p> + +<p>Directly therefore the funeral ceremonies have been performed +the avenging parties start in pursuit of the murderer, and follow +his footsteps with rapidity and energy fitting so important an +occasion; unweariedly and relentlessly they press like +bloodhounds upon the track, and perform journeys of a great +length with a speed which would scarcely be credited; forgetting +in this instance their usual caution, they trespass on other +natives' ground, and all other passions and feelings appear to be +absorbed in a burning thirst for vengeance. They sleep at night +upon the track which they had been prevented by the darkness from +following further, and with the first pale light of morning +pursue it from the same point.</p> + +<p>IMPLICATION OF A MURDERER'S FAMILY IN HIS CRIME.</p> + +<p>When such energy is displayed success must of course often +follow, and the overtaken criminal then falls, pierced by many +spears; but should he elude his pursuers they wreak their +vengeance on any native they meet. The murderer has naturally +fled to the land of his friends to claim their hospitality; +sometimes this is afforded him, and sometimes he is treacherously +given up to his foes; but should the criminal escape, the +pursuing party rarely return from an excursion of this nature +without shedding blood: their not finding the guilty individual +only inflames still more their anger, which they wreak on +children or any unfortunate individual who may fall into their +hands.</p> + +<p>BREACHES OF THE LAWS OF MARRIAGE. STEALING A WIFE.</p> + +<p>Stealing a wife is generally punished with death. If the woman +is not returned within a certain period either her seducer or one +of his relatives is certain eventually to be slain.</p> + +<p>BREACH OF MARRIAGE LAWS.</p> + +<p>The crime of adultery is punished severely, often with death. +Anything approaching the crime of incest, in which they include +marriages out of the right line, they hold in the greatest +abhorrence, closely assimilating in this last point with the +North American Indians, of whom it is said in the Archaeologia +Americana:</p> + +<p>They profess to consider it highly criminal for a man to marry +a woman whose totem (family name) is the same as his own, and +they relate instances when young men, for a violation of this +rule, have been put to death by their own nearest relatives.*</p> + +<blockquote>(*Footnote. Volume 2 page 110 quoting from Tanner's +Narrative page 313.)</blockquote> + +<p>And again: According to their own account, the Indian nations +were divided into tribes for no other purpose than that no one +might ever, either through temptation or mistake, marry a near +relation, which at present is scarcely possible, for whoever +intends to marry must take a person of a different tribe.*</p> + +<blockquote>(*Footnote. Ibid.)</blockquote> + +<p>The same feeling was remarked by Dobrizhoffer in South +America; for, speaking of an interview with a native tribe to +whom he was preaching, he says:</p> + +<p>The old man, when he heard from me that marriage with +relations was forbidden, exclaimed, "Thou sayest well, father, +such marriages are abominable; but that we know already." From +which I discovered that incestuous connexions are more execrable +to these savages than murder or robbery.*</p> + +<blockquote>(*Footnote. Account of the Abipones Volume 1 page +69.)</blockquote> + +<p>PUNISHMENT OF SECONDARY OFFENCES. ORDEAL AND PUNISHMENT FOR +OTHER TRANSGRESSIONS.</p> + +<p>Any other crime may be compounded for by the criminal +appearing and submitting himself to the ordeal of having spears +thrown at him by all such persons as conceive themselves to have +been aggrieved, or by permitting spears to be thrust through +certain parts of his body; such as through the thigh, or the calf +of the leg, or under the arm. The part which is to be pierced by +a spear is fixed for all common crimes, and a native who has +incurred this penalty sometimes quietly holds out his leg for the +injured party to thrust his spear through.</p> + +<p>When a native, after having absconded for fear of the +consequences of some crime which he has committed, comes in to +undergo the ordeal of having spears thrown at him, a large +assemblage of his fellows takes place; their bodies are daubed +with paint which is put on in the most fantastic forms, their +weapons are polished, sharpened, and rendered thoroughly +efficient; at the appointed time young and old repair to the +place of ordeal, and the wild beauty of the scenery, the painted +forms of the natives, the savage cries and shouts of exultation +which are raised as the culprit dexterously parries, or by rapid +leaps and contortions of his body avoids the clouds of spears +which are hurled at him, all combine to form a singular scene to +which there is no parallel in civilized life. If the criminal is +wounded in a degree judged sufficient for the crime he has +committed his guilt is wiped away; or if none of the spears +thrown at him (for there is a regulated number which each may +throw) take effect he is equally pardoned.</p> + +<p>But no sooner is this main part of the ceremony over than two +or three duels take place between some individuals who have +quarrels of their own to settle; after these combatants have +thrown a few spears some of their friends rush in and hold them +in their arms, when the etiquette on such occasions is to +struggle violently for a few minutes, as if anxious to renew the +contest, and then to submit quietly to superior force and cease +the combat.</p> + +<p>NATIVE APATHY UNDER COMMON WOUNDS. ANECDOTE.</p> + +<p>The natives pay but little regard to the wounds they receive +in duels or which are inflicted on them as punishments; their +sufferings from all injuries are much less than those which +Europeans would undergo in similar circumstances; this may +probably arise from their abstemious mode of life, and from their +never using any other beverage than water. A striking instance of +their apathy with regard to wounds was shown on one occasion in a +fight which took place in the village of Perth in Western +Australia. A native man received a wound in that portion of his +frame which is only presented to enemies when in the act of +flight, and the spear which was barbed remained sticking in the +wound; a gentleman who was standing by watching the fray regarded +the man with looks of pity and commiseration, which the native +perceiving, came up to him, holding the spear (still in the +wound) in one hand, and turning round so as to expose the injury +he had received, said, in the most moving terms, "Poor fellow, +sixpence give it 'um."</p> + +<p><a name="chapter13"></a></p> + +<h2>CHAPTER 13. SOCIAL CONDITION AND DOMESTIC HABITS.</h2> + +<p>POPULATION.</p> + +<p>Several writers have given calculations as to the number of +native inhabitants to each square mile in Australia. Now, +although I have done my utmost to draw up tables which might even +convey an approximate result, I have found the number of +inhabitants to a square mile to vary so much from district to +district, from season to season, and to depend upon so great a +variety of local circumstances, that I am unable to give any +computation which I believe would even nearly approach the truth; +and as I feel no confidence in the results which I have obtained, +after a great deal of labour, I cannot be expected to attach much +importance to those which, to my own knowledge, have in several +instances been arrived at by others from mere guesswork.</p> + +<p>NATURAL PERIOD OF LIFE.</p> + +<p>With regard to the age occasionally attained by the natives I +believe very erroneous ideas have been prevalent, for so far am I +from considering them to be short-lived that I am certain they +frequently attain the age of seventy years and upwards. As they +themselves have no knowledge whatever of their age it is manifest +that merely speculative ideas upon this point must be useless; +the means therefore that I adopted to arrive at a probable +conclusion may be illustrated by an example: In the table I have +given of a family descending from two natives, Nardooitch, and +Kimbeyenung (Appendix A) the name of Yenna will be found as one +of Wundall's children; now (1840) Yenna is a young man of about +twenty years of age, and from the usual habits of the natives we +must allow that his father, Beewullo, was at least twenty-three +years old by the time he had married and had a child; such being +the case, Beewullo must now be about forty-three, and Jeebar his +father must by the same reasoning be about sixty-six, yet he is +alive and in perfect health, and his elder brother Nogongo is +likewise alive, and as upright as possible, although the +infirmities of old age are creeping on him. Nogongo must be now +at least sixty-eight years old, yet I have seen two other natives +who, by his and their own account, are older than he is; and on +making a calculation, in the way I have just done, to ascertain +their age, it appeared that one of them was sixty-nine and the +other seventy-one; so that, although probably none of these +estimates are quite correct, I still think that we are at liberty +to infer, from various instances of this kind, that the natives +sometimes attain a very advanced age; yet were these instances of +longevity contrasted with the great number of deaths which take +place during the period of infancy, there can be no doubt +whatever that the average duration of life amongst these savage +tribes falls far short of that enjoyed by civilized races. There +is however one species of death unknown to these barbarians and +that is suicide. I believe they have no idea that such a thing as +a person's putting an end to his own life could ever occur: +whenever I have interrogated them on this point they have +invariably laughed at me and treated my question as a joke.</p> + +<p>CONDITION OF OLD AGE.</p> + +<p>The period of old age must be as happy as any other time in +the life of a savage, if not more so. Aged men are always treated +with great respect; they rarely take a part in any fray; they are +privileged to eat certain kinds of food which the young men may +not touch; and they seldom appear to suffer much from the +infirmities and diseases to which the aged are generally subject +amongst us.</p> + +<p>CONDITION OF YOUNG WOMEN.</p> + +<p>Should a female be possessed of considerable personal +attractions the first years of her life must necessarily be very +unhappy. In her early infancy she is betrothed to some man, even +at this period advanced in years, and by whom, as she approaches +the age of puberty, she is watched with a degree of vigilance and +care which increases in proportion to the disparity of years +between them; it is probably from this circumstance that so many +of them are addicted to intrigues, in which, if they are detected +by their husbands, death, or a spear through some portion of the +body is their certain fate; indeed the bare suspicion of +infidelity upon their part is enough to ensure to them the most +cruel and brutal treatment. For these causes during youth they +are compelled, whether pregnant or not, to accompany their +husbands in all their excursions, and are thus subject to violent +and continued exercise and fatigue at periods when repose is +indispensable.</p> + +<p>But even supposing a woman to give no encouragement to her +admirers, many plots are always laid to carry her off, and in the +encounters which result from these she is almost certain to +receive some violent injury, for each of the combatants orders +her to follow him, and in the event of her refusing throws a +spear at her. The early life of a young woman at all celebrated +for beauty is generally one continued series of captivity to +different masters, of ghastly wounds, of wanderings in strange +families, of rapid flights, of bad treatment from other females +amongst whom she is brought a stranger by her captor; and rarely +do you see a form of unusual grace and elegance but it is marked +and scarred by the furrows of old wounds; and many a female thus +wanders several hundred miles from the home of her infancy, being +carried off successively to distant and more distant points.</p> + +<p>These various circumstances render miscarriages more frequent +amongst these uncivilized tribes than amongst European nations, +and the first years and bloom of a female generally elapse before +she has any children; but then a fresh cause exists to prevent +their having very large families, which is that, from the nature +of the food used by the natives, it is necessary that a child +should have good strong teeth before it can be even partially +weaned. The native women therefore suckle their children until +they are past the age of two or three years, and it is by no +means uncommon to see a fine healthy child leave off playing and +run up to its mother to take the breast.</p> + +<p>The native women suffer much less pain during the period of +labour than Europeans; directly the child is born, it is wrapped +in opossum skins, and strings made of the fur of this animal are +tied like bracelets round the infant's wrists and ankles, with +the intention of rendering it, by some supernatural means, a +stronger and a finer child. They are always much prouder of a +male than of a female child.</p> + +<p>AVERAGE NUMBERS AND PROPORTION OF BIRTHS.</p> + +<p>Forty-one females, of whose families I have obtained (from +themselves and others) lists upon the accuracy of which I can +rely, had 188 children, or about 4.6 children each. The greatest +number born by any one female was 7, and only three had had so +large a family as this; but with the exception of one woman they +had all born more than one child. All those who were included in +this list were past the age of child-bearing at the time it was +drawn up.</p> + +<p>To ascertain the proportion of male to female children I drew +up another list of 222 births, and out of these there were 93 +females and 129 males, or about 1 female to every 1.3 males.</p> + +<p>I have known four instances of native women having twins, but +I have never heard of a greater number of children at one birth. +Should a child be born with any natural deformity it is +frequently killed by its parents soon afterwards. In the only +instances of this kind which have come within my own knowledge +the child has been drowned.</p> + +<p>LUNATICS AND IDIOTS.</p> + +<p>Idiots are rarely found amongst the natives; in two cases I +however observed persons of very deficient intellect. Mad people +are unknown, and this very naturally, for very few freaks of +madness could be committed by a lunatic ere he would fall a +sacrifice to the violence and indignation of his fellows. Persons +of very delicate and feeble constitutions are also rare, as those +who survive the hardships to which they are exposed in their +childhood must possess an iron frame. The deaths amongst the +children, particularly during early infancy, are as far as I can +judge much more numerous in proportion to the number of births +than they are in civilized nations.</p> + +<p>INFLUENCE OF POLYGAMY ON SOCIAL HABITS.</p> + +<p>The social habits of the natives of Australia are necessarily +modified by the extent to which polygamy is permitted and +practised amongst them. The very unequal distribution of the +female sex, which arises from this cause, has rendered prevalent +the custom of stealing wives; and as women are of great value, +not only on account of the personal attachment which they might +be supposed to excite, but from the fact of all laborious tasks +being performed, and a great portion of the food of the family +being also collected by them, every precaution is taken to +prevent them from forming any acquaintances which would be likely +to terminate in their abduction.</p> + +<p>A stern and vigilant jealousy is commonly felt by every +married man; he cannot, from the roving nature of their mode of +life, surround his wives with the walls of a seraglio, but custom +and etiquette have drawn about them barriers nearly as +impassable. When a certain number of families are collected +together they encamp at a common spot; and each family has a +separate hut, or perhaps two. At these huts sleep the father of +the family, his wives, the female children who have not yet +joined their husbands, and very young boys; occasionally female +relatives, who from some temporary cause have no male protector +with them, also sleep at this fire; but the young men and boys of +ten years old and upwards are obliged to sleep in their own +portion of the encampment, where they themselves, or more +generally, some of their mothers, build for them two or three +huts, in which those related within certain degrees of +consanguinity sleep together.</p> + +<p>SOCIAL CUSTOMS.</p> + +<p>When strangers are with a party upon a visit, if attended by +their wives, they sleep in their own huts, which are placed among +those of the married people; but if their wives are not with +them, or if they are unmarried, they sleep at the fire of the +young men.</p> + +<p>MODE OF CONVERSATIONAL INTERCOURSE. MODE OF RECITING +EVENTS.</p> + +<p>Under no circumstances is a strange native allowed to approach +the fire of a married man; in the daytime they hunt or occupy +themselves with the men, and at night they either sit at their +own fire, or that of the young men. Their huts being placed at a +little distance from one another, such an arrangement would +appear to put an end to anything like social intercourse or +conversation; but they have invented a means of overcoming this +difficulty by making a species of chant, or recitative, their +customary mode of address to each other. In an encampment at +night the young men recount to one another their love adventures +and stories; and the old men quarrel with their wives or play +with their children; suddenly a deep wild chant rises on the ear, +in which some newly-arrived native relates the incidents of his +journey, or an old man calls to their remembrance scenes of other +days, or reminds them that some death remains unavenged: this is +done in a loud recitative, and the instant it is commenced every +other sound is hushed. A native, while thus chanting, is rarely +or never interrupted, and when he has concluded another replies +in the same tone until the conversation, still conducted in this +manner, becomes general.</p> + +<p>CONSEQUENCES OF JEALOUSY.</p> + +<p>In the meantime individuals both male and female move about +from fire to fire, paying visits, and whispering scandal to one +another; but these visits are so arranged that none can approach +a fire to which, by the established usages of society, they have +not a right to go; the younger females however, who are much +addicted to intrigue, find at times opportunity to exchange a +word or a glance with some favoured lover, but woe to her if her +watchful husband should detect her in the act. A spear through +the calf of the leg is the least punishment that awaits her; and +if her husband feels himself strong enough, either from personal +skill or from the number of friends he has present, to inflict +punishment upon her paramour, he does it in the most summary +manner, throwing as many spears at his legs as he has an +opportunity of doing before others catch hold of him and prevent +his committing farther acts of violence. A good deal of tact is +required under these circumstances to ascertain whether a spear +can safely be thrown at a man or not; but I have remarked as a +general rule that a native, if irritated by another, invariably +throws a spear at him if he has a friend or brother near the +offender at the time; the chances then being that this friend or +brother will catch hold of the man attacked before he can throw a +spear in return. As for the poor female no one takes her part +whether she is innocent or guilty; the established and very +equitable law with regard to women being, "If I beat your mother, +then you beat mine: if I beat your wife, then you beat mine," +etc. etc. So that by judiciously conducting arrangements a native +can spear one aggressor himself and get the other speared for him +without undergoing any personal trouble or inconvenience, or +without in the least suffering in her good graces.</p> + +<p>DANCES.</p> + +<p>Should it be the intention of the natives to have a dance the +arrangements are somewhat different. In this case the young men +retire early in the afternoon to some spot suited to their +purpose, where they paint and deck themselves out in the most +grotesque manner. After dark they return to the encampment near +which the dance takes place. At these entertainments the same +rules of etiquette are strictly observed: the females sit in a +group apart, generally behind the old men; the performers are on +the side of the fire opposite to them; in one or two dances the +women take a part in the song, but they never dance themselves, +nor are the young men allowed to approach them. It is all fair +for the dancers to do their utmost, by the arrangement of paint +and ornaments, to show off their personal attractions, and they +sometimes avail themselves of this privilege in the most +ludicrous manner; but they are permitted to hold no converse +whatever with any but their mothers and sisters.</p> + +<p>CEREMONIES ON MEETING. CUSTOMS IN MEETING AFTER ABSENCE.</p> + +<p>The ceremonies they observe at first meeting one another after +absence are remarkable. When a native and his wives enter an +encampment of friends whom they have not for some time seen, they +proceed straight to the hut of some relative or intimate friend +without bestowing even a glance upon any others whom they may +pass: having reached the hut the man at once seats himself at the +fire without taking the least notice of anyone in it, whilst his +wives crouch upon the earth at a respectful distance behind him, +keeping their eyes fixed upon the ground; solemn silence now +ensues, all countenances wear an unspeakable gloom and gravity +and all eyes are directed to the earth; in about ten minutes the +nearest blood relation of any individual who has died since the +stranger has visited his friends advances to him with a measured +pace, and without speaking seats himself cross-legged on his +thighs, under which he places his hands, at the same time +pressing his breast to the stranger's; thus seated they +mournfully avert their faces from one another and preserve a +perfect silence; no single word or sign of recognition passes +between them, and after they have remained thus seated for +several minutes the native who had come to announce the death +rises slowly and retires with the same gravity with which he had +approached; other males of the family now successively approach +the stranger, going through precisely the same ceremonies, none +of them venturing to interchange a single word with him.</p> + +<p>This part of the ceremony having been completed, the nearest +female relative of the deceased approaches the stranger and, +throwing herself upon her knees before him, she embraces his +knees with her left arm whilst with the nails of her right hand +she scratches her cheek and nose until the blood drops from them, +at the same time raising the most piteous cries and lamentations. +After a few minutes she rises and approaches his wife and seats +herself on the ground in front of her; the two now encircle one +another with their left arms, resting their heads on each other's +shoulders, whilst they scratch their faces with their right hands +and cry and wail in a tone which excites in the minds of all who +hear them sensations of deep grief; indeed I know of no sound +(not even excepting the Irish howl) which so fully expresses the +passion of deep sorrow as this lament of the native women. When +their cry is completed the resident native woman rises from the +ground and slowly walks from the wife of the one who has returned +to the camp; the other female relatives of the deceased then +advance in turn, and go through the same form.</p> + +<p>The returned absentee is now at liberty to speak, and some of +the party in recitative recount to him all the leading facts that +have occurred since their last meeting; they are however very +careful not to mention the name of the person who is dead, but +describe him by his attributes and family in such a manner as to +leave no doubt in the mind of the hearer; but to name aloud one +who is departed would be a gross violation of their most sacred +prejudices, and they carefully abstain from it.</p> + +<p>CEREMONIES ON MEETING IN THE BUSH.</p> + +<p>If natives meet in the bush the foregoing ceremonies are in +part observed: both parties at their first meeting sit down at a +distance from one another, preserving a profound silence and +keeping their eyes fixed on the ground; after a time one of them +commences a chant about himself and from what great family he has +sprung; they then approach one another, and if there is a death +to communicate the men press breast to breast, and knee to knee, +remaining for some time with averted faces, lost in melancholy +thoughts; when they separate the women approach and kneel, +scratching their faces and crying in the way I have above +described. Should no relative have died upon either side the men, +after rising up, approach one another and enter into +conversation; whilst the elder married females, if they like a +stranger, embrace him affectionately and give him a loud-sounding +kiss upon each cheek; on several occasions I have had to submit +myself, with as good a grace as I could, to this salutation.</p> + +<p>In these casual meetings of natives it occasionally happens +that several women kneel together, crying and embracing the knees +of some old savage, who stands erect in the midst of the group, +with a proud and lordly air, whilst they cower to the earth +around him; sometimes they have children slung at their backs, +and these little things may be seen unconsciously playing with +their mothers' hair whilst this mournful scene is enacting.</p> + +<p>PUNCTILIOS OF FORM.</p> + +<p>Some old women are scrupulously punctilious about the +performance of all these matters of etiquette, attaching a degree +of importance to them which, in the eyes of civilized man, +approaches the ludicrous; but they look upon them in a very +different light. I have seen a number of these sticklers for form +kneeling round a little boy not more than six or seven years old, +lamenting most bitterly, the little fellow meanwhile preserving +in his countenance and bearing all the gravity and dignity which +a man could have exhibited.</p> + +<p><a name="chapter14"></a></p> + +<h2>CHAPTER 14. FOOD AND HUNTING.</h2> + +<p>ERRORS REGARDING SCARCITY OF FOOD OF NATIVES.</p> + +<p>The mistake very commonly made with regard to the natives of +Australia is to imagine that they have small means of +subsistence, or are at times greatly pressed for want of food: I +could produce many almost humorous instances of the errors which +travellers have fallen into upon this point. They lament in their +journals that the unfortunate Aborigines should be reduced by +famine to the miserable necessity of subsisting on certain sorts +of food which they have found near their huts; whereas in many +instances the articles thus quoted by them are those which the +natives most prize, and are really neither deficient in flavour +nor nutritious qualities. I will give one remarkable example of +an error of this kind into which a traveller of great ability has +fallen; but this will only render palpable the ignorance that has +prevailed with regard to the habits and customs of this people +when in their wild state, for those who frequent European towns +and the outskirts of population are soon compelled by the force +of circumstances to depart, in a great measure, from their +original habits.</p> + +<p>Captain Sturt, to whom I allude, says in his travels (volume 1 +page 118):</p> + +<p>Among other things we found a number of bark troughs filled +with the gum of the mimosa, and vast quantities of gum made into +cakes upon the ground. From this it would appear that these +unfortunate creatures were reduced to the last extremity, and, +being unable to procure any other nourishment, had been obliged +to collect this mucilaginous food.</p> + +<hr align="center" width="25%"> +<p>The gum of the mimosa, thus referred to, is a favourite +article of food amongst the natives, and when it is in season +they assemble in large numbers upon plains of the character +previously described by Captain Sturt in order to enjoy this +luxury. The profusion in which this gum is found enables large +bodies to meet together, which, from their subsistence being +derived from wild animals and vegetables of spontaneous growth, +they can only do when some particular article is in full season, +or when a whale is thrown ashore. In order more fully to show how +little the habits of this people have been understood I may state +with regard to this very gum, called by the natives kwon-nat, +that about the time the above account was published by Captain +Sturt an expedition was sent out from King George's Sound in +Western Australia in order to discover what was the nature of the +article of food so loudly praised by them, and which they stated +was to be found in certain districts in great profusion; the +belief at that time being, from the accounts given of it, that it +could be only a new and valuable species of grain. The exploring +party did not attain their object, and to this day many of the +settlers believe the kwon-nat to be a kind of corn.</p> + +<p>FOOD PLENTIFUL. VARIETIES OF IT IN DIFFERENT LATITUDES.</p> + +<p>Generally speaking the natives live well; in some districts +there may at particular seasons of the year be a deficiency of +food, but if such is the case these tracts are at those times +deserted. It is however utterly impossible for a traveller or +even for a strange native to judge whether a district affords an +abundance of food or the contrary; for in traversing extensive +parts of Australia I have found the sorts of food vary from +latitude to latitude, so that the vegetable productions used by +the Aborigines in one are totally different to those in another; +if therefore a stranger has no one to point out to him the +vegetable productions, the soil beneath his feet may teem with +food whilst he starves. The same rule holds good with regard to +animal productions; for example in the southern parts of the +continent the Xanthorrhoea affords an inexhaustible supply of +fragrant grubs, which an epicure would delight in when once he +has so far conquered his prejudices as to taste them; whilst in +proceeding to the northward these trees decline in health and +growth, until about the parallel of Gantheaume Bay they totally +disappear, and even a native finds himself cut off from his +ordinary supplies of insects; the same circumstances taking place +with regard to the roots and other kinds of food at the same +time, the traveller necessarily finds himself reduced to cruel +extremities. A native from the plains, taken into an elevated +mountainous district near his own country for the first time, is +equally at fault.</p> + +<p>VARIED WITH THE SEASONS.</p> + +<p>But in his own district a native is very differently situated; +he knows exactly what it produces, the proper time at which the +several articles are in season, and the readiest means of +procuring them. According to these circumstances he regulates his +visits to the different portions of his hunting ground; and I can +only state that I have always found the greatest abundance in +their huts.</p> + +<p>CAUSES OF OCCASIONAL WANT.</p> + +<p>There are however two periods of the year when they are at +times subjected to the pangs of hunger: these are in the hottest +time of summer and in the height of the rainy season. At the +former period the heat renders them so excessively indolent that +until forced by want they will not move, and at the latter they +suffer so severely from the cold and rain that I have known them +remain for two successive days at their huts without quitting the +fire; and even when they do quit it they always carry a +fire-stick with them, which greatly embarrasses their movements. +In all ordinary seasons however they can obtain in two or three +hours a sufficient supply of food for the day, but their usual +custom is to roam indolently from spot to spot, lazily collecting +it as they wander along.</p> + +<p>LIST OF EDIBLE ARTICLES.</p> + +<p>That an accurate idea may be formed of the quantity and kinds +of food which they obtain, I have given below a list of those in +use amongst the aborigines of South-western Australia which I +have seen them collect and eat; and I will, in the order in which +they stand on this list, show the mode of obtaining them, and the +way in which they are cooked.</p> + +<p>Different articles of food eaten by the natives of Western +Australia:</p> + +<pre> +Six sorts of kangaroo. +Twenty-nine sorts of fish. +One kind of whale. +Two species of seal. +Wild dogs. +Three kinds of turtle. +Emus, wild turkeys, and birds of every kind. +Two species of opossum. +Eleven kinds of frogs. +Four kinds of freshwater shellfish. +All saltwater shellfish, except oysters. +Four kinds of grubs. +Eggs of every species of bird or lizard. +Five animals, something smaller in size than rabbits. +Eight sorts of snakes. +Seven sorts of iguana. +Nine species of mice and small rats. +Twenty-nine sorts of roots. +Seven kinds of fungus. +Four sorts of gum. +Two sorts of manna. +Two species of by-yu, or the nut of the Zamia palm. +Two species of mesembryanthemum. +Two kinds of nut. +Four sorts of fruit. +The flower of several species of Banksia. +One kind of earth, which they pound and mix with the root of the mene. +The seeds of several species of leguminous plants. +</pre> + +<p>It will be necessary however before commencing this sketch to +give an outline of the weapons and implements with which the +different animals are caught and killed, and the vegetable +productions procured.</p> + +<p>EQUIPMENT FOR A HUNT. IMPLEMENTS FOR DESTROYING ANIMALS.</p> + +<p>The natives nearly always carry the whole of their worldly +property about with them, and the Australian hunter is thus +equipped: round his middle is wound, in many folds, a cord spun +from the fur of the opossum, which forms a warm, soft and elastic +belt of an inch in thickness, in which are stuck his hatchet, his +kiley or boomerang, and a short heavy stick to throw at the +smaller animals. His hatchet is so ingeniously placed that the +head of it rests exactly on the centre of his back, whilst its +thin short handle descends along the backbone. In his hand he +carries his throwing-stick and several spears, headed in two or +three different manners so that they are equally adapted to war +or the chase. A warm kangaroo skin cloak completes his equipment +in the southern portions of the continent; but I have never seen +a native with a cloak anywhere to the north of 29 degrees south +latitude.</p> + +<p>DESCRIPTION AND USE OF THE WEAPONS.</p> + +<p>These weapons, although apparently so simple, are admirably +adapted for the purposes they are intended to serve. The spear +when projected from the throwing-stick forms as effectual a +weapon as the bow and arrow, whilst at the same time it is much +less liable to be injured, and it possesses over the bow and +arrow the advantage of being useful to poke out kangaroo-rats and +opossums from hollow trees, to knock off gum from high branches, +to pull down the cones from the Banksia trees, and for many other +purposes.</p> + +<p>The hatchet is used to cut up the larger kinds of game and to +make holes in the trees the owner is about to climb. The kiley is +thrown into flights of wild-fowl and cockatoos, and with the +dow-uk, a short heavy stick, they knock over the smaller kinds of +game much in the same manner that poachers do hares and rabbits +in England.</p> + +<p>CONTENTS OF THE WOMEN'S BAG OR WALLET.</p> + +<p>Thus equipped the father of the family stalks forth, and at a +respectful distance behind him follow the women; a long thick +stick, the point of which has been hardened in the fire, is in +each of their hands, a child or two fixed in their bags or upon +their shoulders, and in the deep recesses of these mysterious +bags they carry moreover sundry articles which constitute the +wealth of the Australian savage. These are however worthy of a +particular enumeration, as this will make plain the domestic +economy of one of these barbarian housewives.</p> + +<p>The contents of a native woman's bag are: A flat stone to +pound roots with; earth to mix with the pounded roots; quartz, +for the purpose of making spears and knives; stones for hatchets; +prepared cakes of gum, to make and mend weapons and implements; +kangaroo sinews to make spears and to sew with; needles made of +the shin-bones of kangaroos, with which they sew their cloaks, +bags, etc.; opossum hair to be spun into waist belts; shavings of +kangaroo skins to polish spears, etc.; the shell of a species of +mussel to cut hair, etc., with; native knives; a native hatchet; +pipe-clay; red ochre, or burnt clay; yellow ochre, a piece of +paperbark to carry water in; waistbands and spare ornaments; +pieces of quartz which the native doctors have extracted from +their patients, and thus cured them from diseases; these they +preserve as carefully as Europeans do relics. Banksia cones +(small ones) or pieces of a dry white species of fungus to kindle +fire with rapidly and to convey it from place to place; grease, +if they can procure it from a whale, or from any other source; +the spare weapons of their husbands, or the pieces of wood from +which these are to be manufactured; the roots, etc., which they +have collected during the day. Skins not yet prepared for cloaks +are generally carried between the bag and the back, so as to form +a sort of cushion for the bag to rest on.</p> + +<p>In general each woman carries a lighted fire-stick, or brand, +under her cloak and in her hand.</p> + +<p>DIFFERENT METHODS OF CATCHING KANGAROOS.</p> + +<p>Imagining several parties of this kind, headed by one of the +young men, to be moving through the woods, let us follow them and +watch their mode of procuring and cooking their different +varieties of food.</p> + +<p>MANNER OF HUNTING A KANGAROO SINGLY.</p> + +<p>The moment an Australian savage commences his day's hunting +his whole manner and appearance undergo a wondrous change: his +eyes, before heavy and listless, brighten up, and are never for a +moment fixed on one object; his gait and movements, which were +indolent and slow, become quick and restless yet noiseless; he +moves along with a rapid stealthy pace, his glance roving from +side to side in a vigilant uneasy manner, arising from his +eagerness to detect signs of game and his fears of hidden foes. +The earth, the water, the trees, the skies, each are in turn +subjected to a rigid scrutiny, and from the most insignificant +circumstances he deduces omens. His head is held erect and his +progress is uncertain, in a moment his pace is checked, he stands +in precisely the position of motion as if suddenly transfixed, +nothing about him stirs but his eyes, they glance uneasily from +side to side whilst the head and every muscle seem immoveable; +but the white eyeballs may be seen in rapid motion, whilst all +his faculties are concentrated, and his whole soul is absorbed in +the senses of sight and hearing. His wives, who are at some +distance behind him, the moment they see him assume this attitude +fall to the ground as if they had been shot; their children cower +by them, and their little faces express an earnestness and +anxiousness which is far beyond their years; at length a +suppressed whistle is given by one of the women, which denotes +that she sees a kangaroo near her husband. All is again silence +and quietude; and an unpractised European would ride within a few +yards of the group and not perceive a living thing.</p> + +<p>Looking about a hundred yards to the right of the native, you +will see a kangaroo erect upon its hind legs and supported by its +tail; it is reared to its utmost height, so that its head is +between five and six feet above the ground--its short fore-paws +hang by its side, its ears are pointed, it is listening as +carefully as the native, and you see a little head peering out +from its pouch to enquire what has alarmed its mother; but the +native moves not, you cannot tell whether it is a human being or +the charred trunk of a burnt tree which is before you, and for +several minutes the whole group preserve their relative position; +at length the kangaroo becomes reassured, drops upon its +fore-paws, gives an awkward leap or two, and goes on feeding, the +little inhabitant of its pouch stretching its head farther out, +tasting the grass its mother is eating, and evidently debating +whether or not it is safe to venture out of its resting place and +gamble about amongst the green dewy herbage.</p> + +<p>Meantime the native moves not until the kangaroo, having two +or three times resumed the attitude of listening, and having like +a monkey scratched its side with its fore-paw, at length once +more abandons itself in perfect security to its feed, and +playfully smells and rubs its little one. Now the watchful +savage, keeping his body unmoved, fixes the spear first in the +throwing-stick, and then raises his arms in the attitude of +throwing, from which they are never again moved until the +kangaroo dies or runs away; his spear being properly secured, he +advances slowly and stealthily towards his prey, no part moving +but his legs; whenever the kangaroo looks round he stands +motionless in the position he is in when it first raises its +head, until the animal, again assured of its safety, gives a skip +or two and goes on feeding; again the native advances, and this +scene is repeated many times until the whistling spear penetrates +the devoted animal; then the wood rings with shouts; women and +children all join pell-mell in the chase; the kangaroo, weak from +the loss of blood, and embarrassed by the long spear which +catches in the brushwood as it flies, at length turns on its +pursuers, and to secure its rear places its back against a tree, +preparing at the same time to rend open the breast and entrails +of its pursuer by seizing him in its fore-paws and kicking with +its hind legs and claws; but the wily native keeps clear of so +murderous an embrace, and from the distance of a few yards throws +spears into its breast until the exhausted animal falls and is +then soon despatched; when, with the assistance of his wives, he +takes its forelegs over his left, and the hind legs over his +right shoulder, and totters with his burden to some convenient +resting place, where they can enjoy their meal.</p> + +<p>HUNTING IN PARTIES IN THE BUSH.</p> + +<p>The chase of the kangaroo conducted by a number of natives is +a much more lively and noisy affair, but it is not to my taste +nearly so interesting. When a single native hunts you see the +whole energy and perseverance of which a savage is capable called +forth, and his graceful movements, cautious advance, the air of +quietude and repose which pervade his frame when his prey is +alarmed, all involuntarily call forth your admiration and compel +you to murmur to yourself, "how beautiful, how very beautiful." +But where a party hunt there is more bustle and animation in the +scene; and this kind of hunting is called "Yowart-a-kaipoon," or +kangaroo-surrounding. The animals which are to be killed by a +party who proceed for this purpose are either surprised in a +thick bushy place, where they have retired to lie down in the +heat of the day, or else in an open plain; in the former case +they are tracked to their retreat, and the party then encircling +it first ascertain that they have not quitted it; as each native +takes up his position he gives a low whistle, and when the +blockade is completed they fire the bushes; the frighted animals +now fly from the flames in the direction of the open plains, but +no sooner do they reach the outskirts of the wood than the bushes +are fired in the direction in which they are running, and they +are driven back by loud calls and terrific cries, which augment +their terror, and they run wildly about; until, becoming maddened +by fear, they make a rush through the midst of their enemies, who +allow but few of their victims to escape.</p> + +<p>IN THE PLAINS.</p> + +<p>When kangaroos are surrounded upon a plain the point generally +chosen is an open bottom surrounded by wood; each native has his +position assigned him by some of the elder ones, and a great deal +of art and caution are sometimes required to gain it; for this +end they avail themselves of every inequality of the ground, of +every bush, of every shrub, and as there are so many witnesses of +their skill and cunning they put forth all their art to approach +as near the kangaroos as possible without disturbing them, and +thus the circle narrows in around the unconscious animals, till +at last some one of them becomes alarmed and bounds away, but ere +it has proceeded many yards its flight is arrested by a savage +with fearful yells; terrified it sits down with its frightened +comrades to look for a means of escape, but armed natives +brandishing their spears and raising loud cries come running in +upon them from every side; and ere the animals have recovered the +first moments of terror and surprise a slaughter has already +commenced, which seldom terminates before the greater number of +them have fallen.</p> + +<p>These great public hunts or battues are conducted under +certain rules. The proprietor of the land must have invited the +other natives, and must be present himself, for should these +regulations be violated a very bloody fight is certain to take +place. The first spear which strikes a kangaroo determines whose +property the dead animal is to be; it being no matter how slight +the wound may have been; even if a boy threw the spear the rule +holds good, and if the animal killed is one which by their laws a +boy is not allowed to eat, then his right passes on to his father +or eldest male relation. The cries of the hunters, as they ring +through the ancient woods, are very expressive and beautiful, +each different intonation belonging to a particular period of the +hunt. And what renders them peculiarly effective is that, instead +of beginning as we always do with a soft aspiration, as in Hollo, +Ho, etc., their cries always commence with a harsh sound, as kau; +and this circumstance enables them to talk at a great distance so +as to be perfectly intelligible to one another. Sometimes in deep +wooded valleys I have heard gentle fairy-like sounds coming down +from the heights, and rendered so soft and sweet by distance that +one might readily have fancied them to be supernatural, yet the +natives with me readily understood them, and shouted back their +reply: this harsh commencement of their shout gives one also a +terrible start when surprised in a murderous attack.</p> + +<p>HUNTING KANGAROO BY THE TRACKS.</p> + +<p>Four other modes of taking kangaroos are practised by the +natives: these are, catching them in nets, in pitfalls, lying in +wait near their watering places until they come to drink, and +constantly following their tracks until the animals are so +wearied out that they will allow the huntsman to approach near +enough to spear them. Of these four modes the last two are the +most interesting, and the former is thus practised: in a dry +district, where numerous animals congregate from a great distance +to drink at a solitary water, the huntsman constructs a rude +shelter in which for hours he remains concealed and motionless +until the thirsty animals approach; kangaroos, cockatoos, +pigeons, and all other beings that run and fly are in this case +indiscriminately sacrificed, and the patient endurance of the +hunter is generally richly rewarded by the booty he obtains.</p> + +<p>But the mode of tracking a kangaroo until it is wearied out is +the one which beyond all others excites the admiration of the +natives; this calls out every qualification prized by savages: +skill in tracking, endurance of hunger and thirst, unwearied +bodily exertion, and lasting perseverance. To perform this feat a +native starts upon the tracks of a kangaroo, which he follows +until he sights it, when it flies timidly before him; again he +pursues the track, and again the animal bounds from him; and this +is repeated until nightfall, when the native lights his fire and +sleeps upon the track; with the first light of day the hunt is +resumed, and towards the close of the second day, or in the +course of the third, the kangaroo falls a victim to its pursuer. +None but a skilful huntsman in the pride of youth and strength +can perform this feat, and one who has frequently practised it +always enjoys great renown amongst his fellows.</p> + +<p>COOKING A KANGAROO.</p> + +<p>Before they commence cooking the kangaroo an incision is made +round the base of the tail to the bone, and another incision skin +deep round the tip. The skin is then pulled away from the other +part with all the sinews of the tail attached to it, and these +are drawn carefully out and at once rolled round the dowuk, so as +to keep them stretched: their future use is either to sew cloaks +and bags, or to make spears.</p> + +<p>Two modes of cooking the kangaroo are common; the first is to +make an oven by digging a hole in the sand, in which a fire is +lighted; when the sand is well heated and a large heap of ashes +is collected the hole is scraped out and the kangaroo is placed +in it, skin and all; it is then covered over with ashes, and a +slow fire is kept up above it; when sufficiently baked it is +taken out and laid upon its back; the first incision is made +directly down from between the forearms to the bottom of the +abdomen, the intestines are then removed, and the whole of the +juice or gravy is left in the body of the animal. This is +carefully taken out and the body is then cut up and eaten.</p> + +<p>The other mode is simply to kill the kangaroo and then to +broil the different portions of it on the fire: certain parts are +considered great delicacies, and these the young men are +forbidden to eat; such are the blood, the entrails, and the +marrow. The blood is always carefully collected in one of the +intestines so as to form a long sausage and is afterwards eaten +by the most influential man present.</p> + +<p>METHODS OF TAKING AND COOKING FISH.</p> + +<p>It will be seen from the foregoing list that the smaller sorts +of fish eaten by the natives are very numerous: there are however +several kinds which from superstitious prejudices they will not +touch; amongst these are the Bamba, or stingray. I should here +observe that these prejudices are local, and I have seen them +reject at one portion of the continent articles of food which at +a distant part they will eat readily.</p> + +<p>Three modes of taking fish are commonly practised: spearing +them; catching them by means of a weir; and taking them in a net. +A party of natives spearing fish in one of their large shallow +estuaries is an extremely picturesque sight; they follow all the +tortuous windings of the fish they are pursuing, as it darts +about in the water, with great rapidity; and, the object of their +pursuit being concealed from a distant spectator, they appear to +be running about in the sea and dashing up the foam for no +conceivable cause or reason. Notwithstanding the speed they are +running with and the smallness of the object, in striking they +rarely miss their aim. In deep rivers or in the sea the mode of +spearing fish varies according to the circumstances of the case; +sometimes it is done by diving, sometimes by sitting on a rock or +tree and watching them as they pass underneath; but in all cases +astonishment is excited to see the celerity and accuracy with +which the eye and hand act in the nicest unison.</p> + +<p>Weirs are only constructed across places which are left nearly +dry at low-water, or when the floods subside; and the way in +which fish are taken in the net offers nothing remarkable.</p> + +<p>METHODS OF COOKING FISH.</p> + +<p>If the fish are not cooked by being merely thrown on the fire +and broiled they dress them in a manner worthy of being adopted +by the most civilized nations; this is called "Yudarn dookoon," +or "tying-up cooking." A piece of thick and tender paperbark is +selected and torn into an oblong form; the fish is laid in this, +and the bark wrapped round it as paper is folded round a cutlet; +strings formed of grass are then wound tightly about the bark and +fish, which is then slowly baked in heated sand covered with hot +ashes; when it is completed the bark is opened and serves as a +dish: it is of course full of juice and gravy, not a drop of +which has escaped. Several of the smaller sorts of freshwater +fish, in size and taste resembling white-bait, are really +delicious when cooked in this manner; they occasionally also +dress pieces of kangaroo and other meats in the same way.</p> + +<p>FEASTING ON A STRANDED WHALE.</p> + +<p>A whale is the greatest delicacy that a native can partake of, +and, whilst standing beside the giant frame of one of these +monsters of the deep, he can only be compared to a mouse standing +before a huge plum-cake; in either case the mass of the food +compared to that of the consumer is enormous. It is impossible +for civilized man to enter into the feelings of the savage under +these circumstances, for he has never been similarly situated. He +never has had such a quantity of food that he doats on placed at +once before him; hence when a native proprietor of an estate in +Australia finds a whale thrown ashore upon his property his whole +feelings undergo a sudden revulsion. Instead of being churlishly +afraid of the slightest aggression on his property his heart +expands with benevolence, and he longs to see his friends about +him; so he falls to work with his wives and kindles large fires +to give notice of the joyful event.</p> + +<p>This duty being performed, he rubs himself all over with the +blubber, then anoints his favourite wives, and thus prepared cuts +his way through the blubber into the flesh or beef, the grain of +which is about as firm as a goose-quill, of this he selects the +nicest morsels, and either broils them on the fire or cooks them +as kabobs by cutting them into small pieces and spitting them on +a pointed stick.</p> + +<p>By and bye other natives come gaily trooping in from all +quarters: by night they dance and sing, and by day they eat and +sleep, and for days this revelry continues unchecked, until they +at last fairly eat their way into the whale, and you see them +climbing in and about the stinking carcase, choosing tit-bits. In +general the natives are very particular about not eating meat +that is fly-blown or tainted, but when a whale is in question +this nicety of appetite vanishes. I attribute this to their +disliking in the first instance to leave the carcase, and then +gradually getting accustomed to its smell; but whatever may be +the reason they remain by the carcase for many days, rubbed from +head to foot with stinking blubber, gorged to repletion with +putrid meat, out of temper from indigestion, and therefore +engaged in constant frays, suffering from a cutaneous disorder by +high feeding, and altogether a disgusting spectacle. There is no +sight in the world more revolting than to see a young and +gracefully formed native girl stepping out of the carcase of a +putrid whale. When they at last quit their feast they carry off +as much as they can stagger under, to eat upon the way, and to +take as a rarity to their distant friends.</p> + +<p>MODE OF KILLING SEALS AND WILD DOGS.</p> + +<p>Killing seals is, from the habits of these animals, +necessarily an exciting species of hunting in the southern and +western portions of the continent. It is only enjoyed by the +natives when they can surprise a seal upon the beach or in the +surf, or when they swim off to some of the small rocky islands +which are connected with the main by reefs, and are at no great +distance from it; they are themselves fond of this sport, and the +clambering about the wild rocks of their native shore, at one +time leaping from rock to rock, spearing fish that lie in the +quiet pools, in the next moment dashing into the boisterous surf +to spear a large fish, to battle with a seal, or to turn a +turtle, cannot but be an exhilarating occupation; and when to +this we add that their steps are followed by a wife and children, +as dear to them as ours are to us, who are witnesses of their +agility and prowess, and who, when the game is killed, will help +to light the fire in which it is to be cooked, and drag it to the +resting-place, where the father romps with the little ones until +the meal is prepared, and that all this takes place in a climate +so mild and genial that a house is not necessary, we shall +perhaps the less wonder that it should be so difficult to induce +a savage to embrace the customs of civilized life.</p> + +<p>There is nothing peculiar in their mode of killing wild dogs; +puppies are of course the greatest delicacy, and are often +feasted on; they sometimes however save these in order to keep +them in a domesticated state, and in this case one of the elder +females of the family suckles them at her own breast and soon +grows almost as fond of them as of children. A dog is baked whole +in the same manner as a kangaroo; it is laid on its back in the +hole in the heated sand, and its nose, fore-paws and hind-paws +are left sticking out of the ashes which are scraped over it, so +that it bears rather a ludicrous appearance.</p> + +<p>MODE OF KILLING TURTLE AND COCKATOOS.</p> + +<p>The green turtle are surprised by the natives on the beach +when they come to lay their eggs, and are very rarely taken much +to the south of Shark Bay, but freshwater turtle are extremely +abundant, and are in high season about December and January. At +this time the natives assemble near the freshwater lakes and +lagoons in large numbers; these natural reservoirs are then +shrunk to their lowest limits from evaporation and other causes, +and are thickly overgrown with reeds and rushes. Among these the +natives wade with stealthy pace, so stealthy that they even creep +upon wild-fowl and spear them. The habits of the turtle are to +swim lazily along near the surface of the water, about half +immersed, biting and smelling at the various aquatic plants which +they pass, and turning their long ungainly necks in all +directions. When alarmed by the approach of a native the turtle +instantly sinks to the bottom like a stone, and its pursuer, +putting out his foot, the toes of which he uses to seize +anything, just as we do our fingers, gropes about with it in the +weeds, until he feels the turtle, and then, holding it to the +ground, plunges his hands and arms in and seizes his prey. I have +known two or three of them to catch fourteen turtle, none of +which weighed less than one, and many of them as much as two or +three pounds, in the course of a very short time.</p> + +<p>These freshwater turtle are cooked by being baked, shell and +all, in the hot ashes; when they are done a single pull removes +the bottom shell, and the whole animal remains in the upper one, +which serves as a dish. They are generally very fat, and are +really delicate and delicious eating; the natives are extremely +fond of them, and the turtle season is looked forward to by them +as a very important period of the year.</p> + +<p>BIRDS. Birds form a very considerable article of food for the +natives, and their modes of killing them are so various that it +would be impossible to enumerate them all. Emus are killed in +precisely the same manner as kangaroos, but as they are more +prized by the natives a greater degree of excitement prevails +when an emu is slain; shout succeeds shout, and the distant +natives take up the cry until it is sometimes re-echoed for +miles: yet the feast which follows the death is a very exclusive +one; the flesh is by far too delicious to be made a common +article of food, hence heavy penalties are pronounced against +young men and unauthorized persons who venture to touch it, and +these are invariably rigidly enforced.</p> + +<p>KILLING COCKATOOS.</p> + +<p>Perhaps as fine a sight as can be seen in the whole circle of +native sports is the killing cockatoos with the kiley, or +boomerang. A native perceives a large flight of cockatoos in a +forest which encircles a lagoon; the expanse of water affords an +open clear space above it, unencumbered with trees, but which +raise their gigantic forms all around, more vigorous in their +growth from the damp soil in which they flourish; and in their +leafy summits sit a countless number of cockatoos, screaming and +flying from tree to tree, as they make their arrangements for a +night's sound sleep. The native throws aside his cloak so that he +may not even have this slight covering to impede his motions, +draws his kiley from his belt, and with a noiseless, elastic step +approaches the lagoon, creeping from tree to tree, from bush to +bush, and disturbing the birds as little as possible; their +sentinels however take the alarm, the cockatoos farthest from the +water fly to the trees near its edge, and thus they keep +concentrating their forces as the native advances; they are aware +that danger is at hand but are ignorant of its nature. At length +the pursuer almost reaches the edge of the water, and the scared +cockatoos, with wild cries, spring into the air; at the same +instant the native raises his right hand high over his shoulder, +and, bounding forward with his utmost speed for a few paces to +give impetus to his blow, the kiley quits his hand as if it would +strike the water, but when it has almost touched the unruffled +surface of the lake it spins upwards with inconceivable velocity, +and with the strangest contortions. In vain the terrified +cockatoos strive to avoid it; it sweeps wildly and uncertainly +through the air, and so eccentric are its motions that it +requires but a slight stretch of the imagination to fancy it +endowed with life, and with fell swoops is in rapid pursuit of +the devoted birds, some of whom are almost certain to be brought +screaming to the earth.</p> + +<p>But the wily savage has not yet done with them. He avails +himself of the extraordinary attachment which these birds have +for one another, and, fastening a wounded one to a tree, so that +its cries may induce its companions to return, he watches his +opportunity by throwing his kiley or spear to add another bird or +two to the booty he has already obtained.</p> + +<p>MODE OF KILLING WILD-FOWL.</p> + +<p>The various kinds of wild-fowl with which the rivers and +lagoons of Australia abound afford a never-failing supply of food +to the natives, and many are the arts to which they have recourse +to entrap these wary birds. During the period of the moulting +season they catch many black swans. Some of the young men lie for +hours in ambush on the banks until the unconscious swans have +ventured so far into shallow water that they can run round them +and cut off their retreat. When this auspicious moment arrives, +with loud shouts the men dash in, and whilst one party intercepts +the birds, so that they cannot get into the deeps, a second soon +runs them down. In the same manner they take the young cygnets; +and these I believe to be as good eating and as delicate an +article of food as any country can produce.</p> + +<p>It is also an interesting sight to see the natives creep after +wild-fowl, and under cover of the reeds and bushes get so near +that they can either spear them or catch them with a noose. A +reedy lagoon lies at your feet, almost surrounded by rocky cliffs +and dusky woods; there are some small open spaces of water, but +generally it is so thickly overgrown with high reeds that it +looks rather like a swampy wood than a lake; in the distance you +see curling up a thin cloud of blue smoke, which indicates that a +native encampment is at hand. The forms of many wild-fowl are +seen swimming about among the reeds, for a moment caught sight +of, and in the next lost in the dusky green of the vegetation. +Every now and then a small party of them rise up, and after +winging their way two or three times round the lagoon, at the +same time giving a series of their quack, quack, which are loudly +responded to from the recesses of the reeds, they again settle +down in another part of it.</p> + +<p>This circumstance and a few other signs induce a sportsman to +suspect that there is some mischief afloat, and his doubts are +soon set at rest: upon some bough of a tree, which stretches far +out over the water and thus affords its occupant a view of all +that is passing in the lake below, he sees extended the form of +an aged native, his white locks fluttering in the breeze; he is +too old to take a part in the sport that is going on, but watches +every movement with the most intense interest, and by well-known +signs directs the movements of the hunters, who may now be seen +creeping noiselessly through the water, and at times they appear +so black and still that even a practised huntsman doubts for a +moment whether it is a man or the stump of a tree which he looks +on. The natives are sometimes very successful in this kind of +hunting: I have known a single man spear or noose ten wild-fowl, +of different sorts, in an hour and a half or two hours' time.</p> + +<p>One very dexterous feat which the natives perform is to kill a +bird as it flies from the nest. This is executed by two men, one +of whom, placing himself under the nest, throws a spear through +its centre, so as to hit the bird in the breast, which, +frightened and slightly wounded, flies out, and is then struck to +the ground by the dow-uk, which the other native hurls at it as +it quits the tree. They are such good shots with these short, +heavy sticks that pigeons, quails, and even the smallest birds, +are usually knocked over with them; and I have often seen them +kill a pigeon with a spear, at the distance of about thirty +paces.</p> + +<p>MODES OF COOKING BIRDS.</p> + +<p>Birds are generally cooked by plucking them and throwing them +on the fire, certain portions of the entrails being considered a +great delicacy: but when they wish to dress a bird very nicely +they first of all draw it and cook the entrails separately; a +triangle is then formed round the bird by three red-hot pieces of +stick, against which ashes are placed. Hot coals are also stuffed +into the inside of the bird, and it is thus rapidly cooked and +left full of gravy. Wild-fowl dressed in this way on a clean +piece of bark form as good a dish as I have ever eaten.</p> + +<p>OPOSSUM HUNTING.</p> + +<p>Opossum hunting is pursued either by day or during a moonlight +night. A stranger cannot but be favourably impressed with regard +to the quickness of a native in discovering whether or not an +opossum has ascended a tree. The savage carelessly walks up to +some massive trunk which he thinks bears a suspicious appearance, +his hands are placed thoughtlessly behind his back, whilst his +dark eye glances over the bark; suddenly it is for one moment +stationary, and he looks eagerly at the tree, for he has detected +the holes made by the nails of an opossum in its ascent; he now +seeks for one of these foot-marks, which has a little sand +attached to it, and gently blows the sand, but it sticks +together, and does not easily move away, this is a proof that the +animal has climbed the tree the same morning, for otherwise the +sand would have been dried up by the heat of the sun, and, not +being held together by dampness, would have been readily swept +away before his breath. Having by this examination of signs, +which an unskilled European in vain strains his eyes to detect, +convinced himself that the opossum is in some hole of the tree, +the native pulls his hatchet from his girdle and, cutting a small +notch in the bark about four feet from the ground, he places the +great toe of his right foot in it, throws his right arm round the +tree, and with his left hand sticks the point handle of the +hatchet into the bark as high up as he can reach, and thus forms +a stay to drag himself up with; having made good this step he +cuts another for his left foot, and thus proceeds until he has +ascended to the hole where the opossum is hid, which is then +compelled by smoke, or by being poked out, to quit its +hiding-place, when, the native catching hold of its tail, dashes +it down on the ground and quietly descends after it. As the +opossum gives a very severe and painful bite the natives are +careful to lay hold of it in such a manner as to run the least +possible danger of being seized by its teeth.</p> + +<p>Opossum hunting by moonlight, excepting in the beauty of the +spectacle, offers no feature different from what I have above +described; the dusky forms of the natives moving about in the +gloomy woods and gazing up into the trees to detect an animal +feeding, whilst in the distance natives with firesticks come +creeping after them, is a picturesque sight, and it is also +pretty to see the dark body of the native against the moonlight +as he climbs the tree, forcing the poor opossum to retreat to the +very end of some branch, whence he is shaken off or knocked down +with a stick. The natives themselves like these moonlight +expeditions and speak with enthusiasm of them. They are +particularly fond of spearing fish at certain seasons of the +year, in which case they go along the shoal water with a light, +and proceed exactly in the manner still practised in Scotland and +Ireland.</p> + +<p>CATCHING FROGS. METHOD OF TAKING SHELLFISH.</p> + +<p>The season of the year in which the natives catch the greatest +quantity of frogs and freshwater shellfish is when the swamps are +nearly dried up; these animals then bury themselves in holes in +the mud, and the native women with their long sticks and long +thin arms, which they plunge up to the shoulder in the slime, +manage to drag them out; at all seasons however they catch some +of these animals, but in summer a whole troop of native women may +be seen paddling about in a swamp, slapping themselves to kill +the mosquitoes and sandflies, and every now and then plunging +their arms down into the mud, and dragging forth their prey. I +have often seen them with ten or twelve pounds weight of frogs in +their bag.</p> + +<p>Frogs are cooked on a slow fire of wood ashes. They are then +held in one hand by the hind legs, and a dexterous pinch with the +finger and thumb of the other at once removes the lower portion +of the intestines. The remainder of the animal is then taken at a +mouthful and fairly eaten from the head to the toes.</p> + +<p>The freshwater shellfish vary in size from that of a prawn to +a large crayfish; the smallest are the best, and when nicely +roasted there is no difference in taste between them and a +shrimp. It is worthy of remark that the natives in the +south-western part of Australia will not touch freshwater +mussels, which are very abundant in the rivers, whilst in the +north-western part of the continent they form a staple article of +food.</p> + +<p>GRUBS AND WALLABIES.</p> + +<p>Grubs are principally procured by the natives from the +Xanthorrhoea or grass-tree, but they are also found in +wattle-trees, and in dead timber; those found in the grass-tree +have a fragrant aromatic flavour and taste very like a nice nut. +Their presence in a tree is thus ascertained: if the top of the +tree is observed to be dead the native gives it a few sharp kicks +with his foot, when, if it contains any barde or grubs, it begins +to give, and if this takes place he pushes the tree over, and, +gradually breaking it to pieces with his hammer, he extracts the +grubs, of which sometimes more than a hundred are found in a +single tree.</p> + +<p>Until the top of the tree is dead it is not a proper +receptacle for these animals. The natives are therefore in the +habit of breaking off the tops of the grass-trees on their land +at a particular season of the year in order that they may have an +abundance of this highly-prized article of food. If two or more +men have a right to hunt over the same portion of ground, and one +of them breaks off the tops of certain trees, by their laws the +grubs in these are his property and no one else has a right to +touch the tree. No mistake on this point can occur, for if the +top of the tree dies naturally it still remains in its original +position, whereas a native who thus prepares the tree knocks it +off altogether; an instance occurred at King George's Sound of a +native travelling between thirty and forty miles to lay a +complaint before the Resident that another had been guilty of +this unpardonable breach of honesty, and, notwithstanding it had +been clearly brought home to him, still stoutly refused to make +any amends.</p> + +<p>When there is a grub in a wattle-tree its diseased state, +which produces excrescences, soon betrays this circumstance to +the watchful eyes of a native, and an animal much larger than +those found in the grass-tree is soon extracted; they seldom +however find more than one or two of these in the same tree.</p> + +<p>Grubs are either eaten raw or roasted; they are best roasted +tied up in a piece of bark in the manner in which I have before +stated that they cook their fish. If the natives are taunted with +eating such a disgusting species of food as these grubs appear to +Europeans they invariably retort by accusing us of eating raw +oysters, which they regard with perfect horror.</p> + +<p>HUNTING THE SMALLER ANIMALS.</p> + +<p>The smaller species of animals are either caught by surprising +them in their seats or by burning the bush. A native hunting for +food has his eyes in constant motion and nothing escapes them; he +sees a kangaroo-rat Sitting in a bush, and he walks towards it as +if about to pass it carelessly, but suddenly, when on one side of +it, he stamps on the bush with all his force, and crushes the +little animal to death; should it be rapid enough in its +movements to avoid this blow he hurls his dow-uk at it as it +scampers off, and should he not hit it he runs after and tracks +it to some dead hollow tree, lying on the ground, in which it has +taken shelter, and with the aid of his spear, which is about ten +feet long, he draws it out.</p> + +<p>Another very ingenious mode of taking wallaby and the smaller +kind of kangaroos is to select a thick bushy place where there +are plenty of these animals; the bushes are then broken down in a +circle round the spot where they intend to hunt, so as to form a +space of broken scrub about ten feet wide all round a thick bush, +they thus not only destroy the runs of the animals but form with +the fallen bushes a place which so embarrasses and entangles them +that they find great difficulty in passing it; indeed when these +preparations have been made the natives fire the bush and the +frightened animals, finding their runs stopped up, rush into the +fallen branches, where every jump which they make upon their hind +legs only involves them in greater difficulties, so that they +fall an easy prey to their pursuers.</p> + +<p>Some of the smaller animals such as the dal-gyte, an animal +about the size of a weasel, burrow in the earth; these the +natives surprise when they are feeding or dig them from their +burrows. They are all cooked by having their fur singed off and +being roasted on the fire; to the taste of a native the skinning +a small animal would be an abomination, and I must really confess +that a kangaroo-rat, nicely singed and cooked by them, is not a +bad dish for a hungry traveller.</p> + +<p>Although the natives could in many districts procure native +salt, and most certainly from its abundance cannot be +unacquainted with it, they never use it until they have seen +Europeans do so, and even then do not at first like it. They also +dislike mustard, sauces, etc., when they first eat them, and +indeed nothing can be more ludicrous than their grimaces are the +first time mustard is given to them upon a piece of meat.</p> + +<p>ROOTS EATEN BY NATIVES. EDIBLE ROOTS AND SEEDS.</p> + +<p>The roots eaten by the natives belong to the following +genera:</p> + +<p>Dioscorea, two species.<br> +Haemadorum, several species, as the Mene, Ngool-ya, Mudja, etc. +etc.<br> +Geranium, several species.<br> +Boerhaavia, two species.<br> +Typha, two species.<br> +Orchis, several species.</p> + +<p>RULES FOR GATHERING ROOTS AND PLANTS.</p> + +<p>Some of these are in season in every period of the year and +the natives regulate their visits to the different districts +accordingly. Those plants which grow in a stiff soil cannot be +dug up by their implements without great difficulty in the heat +of the dry season, but those which grow in a loose sandy soil can +be obtained at all times. The natives have however a law that no +plant bearing seeds is to be dug up after it has flowered; they +then call them (for example) the mother of Bohn, the mother of +Mudja, etc.; and so strict are they in their observance of this +rule that I have never seen a native violate it unless requested +by an European, and even then they betray a great dislike to do +so.</p> + +<p>The abundance of these roots varies, of course, with the +nature of the soil, etc., but when there is a scarcity of any one +of them this is amply provided for by the abundance of others. In +the Province of Victoria, as already stated, I have seen tracts +of land, several square miles in extent, so thickly studded with +holes where the natives had been digging up yams (Dioscorea) that +it was difficult to walk across it. Again, in the sandy desert +country which surrounds for many miles the town of Perth, in +Western Australia, the different species of Haemadorum are very +plentiful.</p> + +<p>GATHERING AND COOKING ROOTS. MODE OF COOKING AND PREPARING +THEM.</p> + +<p>It is generally considered the province of women to dig roots, +and for this purpose they carry a long pointed stick which is +held in the right hand and driven firmly into the ground, where +it is shaken so as to loosen the earth, which is scooped up and +thrown out with the fingers of the left hand, and in this manner +they dig with great rapidity. But the labour in proportion to the +amount obtained is great. To get a yam about half an inch in +circumference and a foot in length they have to dig a hole above +a foot square and two feet in depth; a considerable portion of +the time of the women and children is therefore passed in this +employment. If the men are absent upon any expedition the females +are left in charge of one who is old or sick; and in traversing +the bush you often stumble on a large party of them, scattered +about in the forest, digging roots, and collecting the different +species of fungus.</p> + +<p>The roots are eaten raw or roasted in the fire; in either case +they are, most of them, very good. Some have the taste of a mild +onion, and others have almost the taste and appearance of a small +English potato, but of these only a single root is attached to +each plant: the mene has rather an acid taste and when eaten +alone is said, by the natives, to cause dysentery; they never use +it in the southern districts without pounding it between two +stones and sprinkling over it a few pinches of an earth which +they consider extremely good and nutritious; they then pound the +mould and root together into a paste, and swallow it as a bonne +bouche, the noxious qualities of the plant being destroyed by the +earth.</p> + +<p>Many other roots are pounded between flat stones into a paste +and are then made into a cake and baked. The two roots which +taste the best, when cooked in this way, are the jee-ta and +yunjid.</p> + +<p>The former of these resembles in appearance and taste the +unripe seeds of Indian corn; it is in season in June and is +really very palatable. The latter is the root of a species of +flag, and consists of a case enclosing a multitude of tender +filaments, with nodules of farinaceous matter adhering to them. +These are collected into a mass by pounding the root, and the +cake formed from the paste is very nice. The natives must be +admitted to bestow a sort of cultivation upon this root, as they +frequently burn the leaves of the plant in the dry seasons in +order to improve it.</p> + +<p>EDIBLE FUNGI AND GUMS.</p> + +<p>The different kinds of fungus are very good. In certain +seasons of the year they are abundant and the natives eat them +greedily.</p> + +<p>Kwon-nat is the kind of gum which most abounds and is +considered the nicest article of food. It is a species of +gum-tragacynth. In the summer months the acacias growing in +swampy plains are literally loaded with this gum, and the natives +assemble in numbers to partake of this favourite esculent. As but +few places afford a sufficient supply of food to support a large +assemblage of persons these Kwon-nat grounds are generally the +spots at which their annual barter meetings are held, and during +these fun, frolic, and quarrelling of every description +prevail.</p> + +<p>POISONOUS NUTS.</p> + +<p>No article of food used by the natives is more deserving of +notice than the by-yu. This name is applied to the pulp of the +nut of a species of palm which, in its natural state, acts as a +most violent emetic and cathartic; the natives themselves +consider it as a rank poison: they however are acquainted with a +very artificial method of preparing it, by which it is completely +deprived of its noxious qualities and then becomes an agreeable +and nutritious article of food. Europeans who are not acquainted +with this mode of preparing the nut, the stones of which they +find lying about the fireplaces of the natives, are frequently +tempted to eat it in its natural state, but they invariably pay a +severe penalty for the mistake. The following extract, from +Captain Cook's * first voyage, gives one instance of this:</p> + +<blockquote>(*Footnote. Volume 2 page 624.)</blockquote> + +<p>The third sort, which, like the second, is found only in the +Northern parts, seldom grows more than ten feet high, with small +pinnated leaves, resembling those of some kind of fern; it bears +no cabbage, but a plentiful crop of nuts, about the size of a +large chestnut, but rounder. As the hulls of these were found +scattered round the places where the Indians had made their fires +it was taken for granted that they were fit to eat; however those +who made the experiment paid dear for their knowledge to the +contrary, for they operated both as an emetic and cathartic, with +great violence: still however it was not doubted but they were +eaten by the Indians, and, in order to determine this more +clearly, they were carried to the hogs, who might be supposed to +have a constitution as strong as the Indians, although the ship's +people had not. The hogs ate them indeed, and for some time +apparently without suffering any inconvenience, but in about a +week they were so much disordered that two of them died; the rest +were recovered with great difficulty. It is probable however that +the poisonous quality of these nuts may lie in the juice, like +that of the cassada of the West Indies, and that the pulp, when +dried, may be not only wholesome but nutritious.</p> + +<hr align="center" width="25%"> +<p>MODE OF RENDERING THEM INNOXIOUS.</p> + +<p>The native women collect the nuts from the palms in the month +of March, and, having placed them in some shallow pool of water, +they leave them to soak for several days. When they have +ascertained that the by-yu has been immersed in water for a +sufficient time they dig, in a dry sandy place, holes which they +call mor-dak; these holes are about the depth that a person's +arms can reach, and one foot in diameter; they line them with +rushes and fill them up with the nuts, over which they sprinkle a +little sand, and then cover the holes nicely over with the tops +of the grass-tree; in about a fortnight the pulp which encases +the nut becomes quite dry, and it is then fit to eat, but if +eaten before that it produces the effects already described. The +natives eat this pulp both raw and roasted; in the latter state +they taste quite as well as a chestnut. The process which these +nuts undergo in the hands of the natives has no effect upon the +kernel, which still acts both as a strong emetic and +cathartic.</p> + +<p>I have taken some trouble to ascertain if any traditional +notion exists amongst the natives which would in any way account +for their having first obtained a knowledge of the means by which +they could render the deleterious pulp of the Zamia nut a useful +article of food; but in this, as in all other similar instances, +they are very unwilling to confess their ignorance of a thing, +and rather than do so will often invent a tradition. Hence many +intelligent persons have raised most absurd theories and have +committed lamentable errors.</p> + +<p>ROVING HABITS DEPENDANT ON FOOD.</p> + +<p>The other kinds of food which I have mentioned on the list +scarcely require a particular description. They are collected by +the people as they rove from spot to spot, and are rather used as +adjuncts to help out a meal than as staple articles of provision; +several of them are however much liked by the natives, and they +always regulate the visits to their hunting grounds so as to be +at any part which plentifully produces a certain sort of food at +the time this article is in full season: this roving habit +produces a similar character in the kangaroos, emus, and other +sorts of game which are never driven more from one part than from +another. In fact they are kept in a constant state of movement +from place to place; but directly a European settles down in the +country his constant residence in one spot soon sends the animals +away from it, and although he may in no other way interfere with +the natives the mere circumstance of his residing there does the +man on whose land he settles the injury of depriving him of his +ordinary means of subsistence.</p> + +<p>EDIBLE PRODUCTIONS VARY IN DIPFERENT DISTRICTS. COMMON RIGHTS +IN CERTAIN FOOD.</p> + +<p>If the land of any native is deficient in any particular +article of food, such as, by-yu, mun-gyte (Banksia flowers) etc., +he makes a point of visiting some neighbour whose property is +productive in this particular article at the period in which it +is in perfection; and there are even some tracts of land which +abound in gum, kwon-nat, etc., which numerous families appear to +have an acknowledged right to visit at the period of the year +when this article is in season, although they are not allowed to +come there at any other time. This is a curious point and might +throw some further light upon the subject of their families or +lines of descent.</p> + +<p>It must be borne in mind that the articles of food I have +enumerated in this chapter belong only to a particular district +of about two hundred miles in extent, for every degree of +latitude some articles would disappear from the list, whilst +other new ones would enter into it. For instance on the +north-west coast they eat a species of oyster (unio) the almonds +of the pandanus, wild grapes, guavas, the excellent fruit of a +species of capparis, and many other articles which are not known +upon the south-west coast; but these are procured and cooked in +the same manner as the articles which I have already enumerated. +My object being merely to give such an outline as would enable +the reader to understand well the mode of life of an Australian +savage, I did not think such particular details necessary as I +should have been led into, had I enumerated all the sorts of food +which I have seen eaten by the natives in Australia.</p> + +<p><a name="chapter15"></a></p> + +<h2>CHAPTER 15. SONGS AND POETRY.</h2> + +<p>GENERAL PRACTICE OF SINGING. TRADITIONAL SONGS.</p> + +<p>Like all other savage races the natives of Western Australia +are very fond of singing and dancing: to a sulky old native his +song is what a quid of tobacco is to a sailor; is he angry, he +sings; is he glad, he sings; is he hungry, he sings; if he is +full, provided he is not so full as to be in a state of stupor, +he sings more lustily than ever; and it is the peculiar character +of their songs which renders them under all circumstances so +solacing to them. The songs are short, containing generally only +one or two ideas, and are constantly repeated over and over again +in a manner doubtless grating to the untutored ear of a European, +but to one skilled in Australian music lulling and harmonious in +the extreme, and producing much the same effect as the singing of +a nurse does upon a child.</p> + +<p>SONG OF AN OLD MAN IN WRATH. SCENE PRODUCED BY IT.</p> + +<p>Nothing can give a better idea of the character of these +people than their songs. In England an elderly gentleman, who has +been at all put out of his way by encroachments and trespasses +upon his property, sits over his fire in the evening, sipping his +port and brooding over vengeance by means of the law; but the law +is tortuous, expensive, and uncertain; his revenge is very +distant from him; under these circumstances the more the elderly +gentleman talks the more irate he becomes. Very different is the +conduct of the elderly Australian gentleman. He comes to his hut +at night in a towering passion; tucks his legs under him, and +seats himself upon his heels before the fire; he calls to his +wife for pieces of quartz and some dried kangaroo sinews, then +forthwith begins sharpening and polishing his spears, and whilst +thus occupied, sings to himself:</p> + +<p>I'll spear his liver,<br> +I'll spear his lights,<br> +I'll spear his heart,<br> +I'll spear his thigh,<br> +etc. etc. etc.</p> + +<p>After a while he pauses and examines the point he has been +working at; it is very sharp, and he gives a grunt of +satisfaction. His wives now chime in:</p> + +<p>The wooden-headed,<br> +Bandy-legged,<br> +Thin-thighed fellows--<br> +The bone-rumped,<br> +Long-shinned,<br> +Thin-thighed fellows.</p> + +<p>The old gentleman looks rather more murderous but withal more +pleasant, and as he begins to sharpen his second spear he chants +out:</p> + +<p>I'll spear their liver,<br> +I'll spear their bowels,<br> +I'll spear their hearts,<br> +I'll spear their loins.</p> + +<p>As he warms on the subject he ships his spear in the +throwing-stick, quivers it in the air, and imitates rapidly the +adventures of the fight of the coming day: then the recollections +of the deeds of his youth rush through his mind; he changes his +measure to a sort of recitative, and commences an account of some +celebrated fray of bygone times; the children and young men crowd +round from the neighbouring huts, the old gentleman becomes more +and more vociferous, first he sticks his spear point under his +arm and lies on his side to imitate a man dying, yet chanting +away furiously all the time, then he grows still more animated, +occasionally adjusting his spear with his throwing-stick and +quivering it with a peculiar grace. The young women now come +timidly up to see what is going on; little flirtations take place +in the background, whereat the very elderly gentlemen with very +young wives, whose dignity would be compromised by appearing to +take an interest in passing events, and who have therefore +remained seated in their own huts, wax jealous, and despatch +their mothers and aged wives to look after the younger ladies. +These venerable females have a dread of evil spirits, and +consequently will not move from the fire without carrying a +fire-stick in their hands; the bush is now dotted about with +these little moving points of fire, all making for a common +centre, at which are congregated old and young; jest follows +jest, one peal of laughter rings close upon the heels of another, +the elderly gentleman is loudly applauded by the bystanders, and, +having fairly sung the wrath out of himself, he assists in +getting up the dances and songs with which their evening +terminates.</p> + +<p>INFLUENCE OF THEIR SONGS.</p> + +<p>Is a native afraid, he sings himself full of courage; in fact +under all circumstances he finds aid and comfort from a song. +Their songs are therefore naturally varied in their form; but +they are all concise and convey in the simplest manner the most +moving ideas: by a song or wild chant composed under the +excitement of the moment the women irritate the men to acts of +vengeance; and four or five mischievously inclined old women can +soon stir up forty or fifty men to any deed of blood by means of +their chants, which are accompanied by tears and groans, until +the men are worked into a perfect state of frenzy.</p> + +<p>NATIVE POETS.</p> + +<p>A true poet in Australia is highly appreciated. Simple as +their songs appear, there are in them many niceties which a +European cannot detect; it is probable that what is most highly +estimated by this people is that the cadence of the song, and the +wild air to which it is chanted, should express well to their +ideas the feelings and passions intended to predominate in the +mind at the moment in which it is sung: hence we find that the +compositions of some of these poets pass from family to family, +and from district to district, until they have very probably +traversed the whole continent; the natives themselves having at +last no idea of the point where they originated, or of the +meaning of the words which they sing, successive changes of +dialect having so altered the song that probably not one of the +original words remains; but they sing sounds analogous to these, +to the proper air. And this is not confined to Western Australia, +for Mr. Threlkeld, in his Australian Grammar,* says:</p> + +<p>There are poets among them who compose songs which are sung +and danced to by their own tribe in the first place, after which +other tribes learn the song and dance, which itinerates from +tribe to tribe throughout the country, until, from change of +dialect, the very words are not understood by the blacks.</p> + +<blockquote>(*Footnote. Page 90.)</blockquote> + +<hr align="center" width="25%"> +<p>A family seldom make a distant friendly visit to other tribes, +but they bring back a new song or two with them, and these, for a +time, are quite as much the rage as a new fashionable song in +England. Occasionally the songs also bear the name of the poet +who composed them, though this is not often the case; there are +however two or three poets in Australia who enjoy a great +celebrity, but whether they are living, or belonged to ancient +times, or whether they are merely imaginary beings I have never +been able to discover.</p> + +<p>DISREGARD OF EUROPEAN MUSIC. NATIVE OPINION OF EUROPEAN +SINGING.</p> + +<p>Their own songs are, according to their idea, the very +perfection of harmony, rude and discordant as they are to our +ears; perhaps no more extraordinary instance of the force of +habit and diversity of taste than this could be advanced. A +native sings joyously the most barbarous and savage sounds, which +rend asunder the refined ears of the European, who turns away in +agony from the discordant noise while the surrounding natives +loudly applaud as soon as the singer has concluded. But should +the astounded European endeavour to charm these wild men by one +of his refined and elegant lays they would laugh at it as a +combination of silly and effeminate notes, and for weeks +afterwards entertain their distant friends, at their casual +meetings, by mimicking the tone and attitude of the white man; an +exhibition which never fails to draw down loud shouts of +applause.</p> + +<p>Some of the natives are not however insensible to the charms +of our music. Warrup, a native youth who lived with me for +several months as a servant, once accompanied me to an amateur +theatre at Perth, and when the actors came forward and sang God +save the Queen he burst into tears. He certainly could not have +comprehended the words of the song, and therefore must have been +affected by the music alone.</p> + +<p>ADAPTATION OF DANCES TO THEIR SONGS.</p> + +<p>The only accompaniment to their songs used in the southern +parts of the continent is the clapping of hands or the beating of +a short round stick against the flat board with which they throw +their spears; in this latter case the rounded stick is held in +its centre, between the fingers and thumb of the right hand, and +its ends are alternately struck against the flat board in such a +manner as to produce a rude kind of music, in time to the air +they are singing. Although this appears to be so very simple an +instrument it requires some practice to beat the time accurately, +and by young men who desire to have the reputation of being +exquisites this is considered to be a very necessary +accomplishment.</p> + +<p>Some songs have a peculiar dance connected with them; this +however is not always the case, and I have occasionally seen the +same dance adapted to different songs.</p> + +<p>Having given this general outline of their songs I will now +add such a selection of them as will convey some idea of the +character of their poetry, at the same time there is reason to +believe that a good deal of it is traditional, and may date its +origin from a very remote epoch. Some of their dances have also a +very peculiar mystical character about them, and these they very +unwillingly exhibit in the presence of Europeans.</p> + +<p>The following is a very favourite song of the natives to the +north of Perth; it is sung to a wild and plaintive air, and +relates to some action of a native who lived in that part of the +continent, of the name of Warbunga. A little boy, a descendant of +his, is still living, who bears the same name.</p> + +<p>SPECIMENS OF SONGS. EXAMPLES OF SONGS FOR VARIOUS +OCCASIONS.</p> + +<p>Kad-ju bar-dook,<br> +War-bung-a-loo,<br> +War-bung-a-loo.<br> +Kad-ju bar-dook,<br> +War-bung-a-loo,<br> +War-bung-a-loo,<br> +War-bung-a-loo.</p> + +<p>They then commence again, constantly repeating these words in +the same order.</p> + +<p>TRANSLATION.</p> + +<p>Thy hatchet is near thee,<br> +Oh Warbunga,<br> +Oh Warbunga.<br> +Thy hatchet is near thee,<br> +Warbunga-ho,<br> +Warbunga-ho,<br> +Warbunga-ho.</p> + +<p>A favourite song of the natives in the district of the Murray +in Western Australia is:</p> + +<p>Kar-ro yool, i, yool-a!<br> +Kar-ro yool, i, yool-a!<br> +etc. etc. etc.</p> + +<p>And these words they go on singing for an hour together, in +the event of the absence of any of their relatives or friends +upon a hunting or war excursion.</p> + +<p>TRANSLATION.</p> + +<p>Return hither, hither ho!<br> +Return hither, hither ho!</p> + +<p>The following is a very good specimen of one of their comic +songs. It is often sung by the natives in the vicinity of King +George's Sound.</p> + +<p>Mat-ta, mat-ta,<br> +Yungore bya,<br> +Mat-ta, mat-ta,<br> +Yungore bya,<br> +etc. etc. etc.</p> + +<p>TRANSLATION.</p> + +<p>Oh what legs, oh what legs,<br> +The Kangaroo-rumped fellows,<br> +Oh what legs, oh what legs,<br> +etc. etc. etc.</p> + +<p>FUNERAL CHANT.</p> + +<p>Nothing can awake in the breast more melancholy feelings than +the funeral chants of these people. They are sung by a whole +chorus of females of all ages and the effect produced upon the +bystanders by this wild music is indescribable. I will give one +chant which I have heard sung upon several occasions.</p> + +<p>The young women sing: Kar-dang.<br> +The old women sing: Mam-mul.<br> +Together: gar-ro.<br> +Me-la nad-jo<br> +Nung-a-broo.<br> +Kar-dang.<br> +Mam-mul.<br> +Together: gar-ro.<br> +Me-la nad-jo<br> +Nung-a-broo.<br> +etc. etc. etc.</p> + +<p>TRANSLATION.</p> + +<p>My young brother<br> +My young son<br> +(again)<br> +In future shall I<br> +never see.<br> +My young brother<br> +My young son<br> +(again)<br> +In future shall I<br> +never see.</p> + +<p>WAR-CHANTS. INFLUENCE OF SONGS IN ROUSING THE ANGRY PASSIONS +OF THE MEN.</p> + +<p>In this chant the old and young women respectively sing "my +young son," and, "my young brother:" the metre and rhyme are also +very carefully preserved, and the word Kardang is evidently +expressly selected for this purpose; for were they speaking in +prose they would use a term denoting eldest brother, youngest +brother, second brother, or some similar one; whilst I have heard +the word Kardang always used in this chant whether the deceased +was the first, second, or third brother.</p> + +<p>The men have also certain war-chants or songs; these they sing +as they go walking rapidly to and fro, quivering their spears in +order to work themselves up into a passion. The following is a +very common one:</p> + +<p>Yu-do dan-na,<br> +Nan-do dan-na,<br> +My-eree dan-na,<br> +Goor-doo dan-na,<br> +Boon-gal-la dan-na,<br> +Gonog-o dan-na,<br> +Dow-al dan-na,<br> +Nar-ra dan-na.<br> +etc. etc. etc.</p> + +<p>TRANSLATION.</p> + +<p>Spear his forehead,<br> +Spear his breast,<br> +Spear his liver,<br> +Spear his heart,<br> +Spear his loins,<br> +Spear his shoulder,<br> +Spear his thigh,<br> +Spear his ribs,<br> +etc. etc. etc.</p> + +<p>Thus rapidly enumerating all the parts in which they intend to +strike their enemies.</p> + +<p>It is very rarely that any remarkable circumstance occurs but +songs are composed in order to perpetuate the remembrance of it. +For example, when Miago, the first native who ever quitted Perth, +was taken away in H.M. surveying vessel Beagle in 1838, the +following song was composed by a native and was constantly sung +by his mother (at least so she says) during his absence, and it +has ever since been a great favourite:</p> + +<p>Ship bal win-jal bat-tar-dal gool-an-een,<br> +Ship bal win-jal bat-tar-dal gool-an-een.<br> +etc. etc. etc. etc.</p> + +<p>Whither is that lone ship wandering,<br> +Whither is that lone ship wandering,<br> +etc. etc. etc. etc.</p> + +<p>Again, on Miago's safe return, the song given below was +composed by a native after he had heard Miago recount his +adventures:</p> + +<p>Kan-de maar-o, kan-de maar-a-lo,<br> +Tsail-o mar-ra, tsail-o mar-ra-lo.<br> +etc. etc. etc. etc.</p> + +<p>Unsteadily shifts the wind-o, unsteadily shifts the wind-o, +The sails-o handle, the sails-o handle-ho.</p> + +<p>I will now add several other songs which are composed in +different dialects; these will serve both as examples of their +metre and style of poetry and as specimens for the purpose of +comparison with the songs of the natives of the other portions of +the continent.</p> + +<p>Number 1.</p> + +<p>One voice:<br> +Djal-lee-lee-na.</p> + +<p>Chorus:<br> +Mong-a-da, mong-a-da,<br> +Mong-a-da, mong-a-da,<br> +Mong-a-da, mong-a-da.</p> + +<p>One voice:<br> +Eee-dal-lee-na.</p> + +<p>Chorus:<br> +Wun-a-da, wun-a-da,<br> +Wun-a-da, wun-a-da,<br> +Wun-a-da, wun-a-da.<br> +etc. etc. etc.</p> + +<p>They all join in the chorus of:</p> + +<p>Mong-a-da, etc. etc.<br> +Wun-a-da, etc. etc.</p> + +<p>And clap their hands in time to the air to which this chorus +is sung, so that the effect produced is very good. I am unable to +render this song into English.</p> + +<p>Number 2.</p> + +<p>Dow-al nid-ja kotiay bool-a,<br> +Woor-ar wur-rang-een,<br> +Dow-al nid-ja kotiay bool-a,<br> +Woor-ar wur-rang-een<br> +Dow-al nid-ja kotiay bool-a,<br> +Woor-ar wur-rang-een.</p> + +<p>These lines are repeated three times more, and then follows +the chorus:</p> + +<p>Chorus:<br> +Ban-yee wur-rang-een,<br> +Koong-arree, wur-rang-een,<br> +Ban-yee wur-rang-een,<br> +Koong-arree, war-rang-een.<br> +etc. etc. etc.</p> + +<p>Number 3.</p> + +<p>Kat-ta ga-roo,<br> +Ngia<br> +Bur-na-ri-noo.<br> +Yar-dig-o-roo,<br> +Ngia<br> +Bur-na-ri-noo.<br> +etc. etc. etc.</p> + +<p>Number 4.</p> + +<p>Yerib-a-balo, may-il boyne ga-ree,<br> +Yerib-a-balo, may-il boyne ga-ree.<br> +etc. etc. etc.</p> + +<p>Number 5.</p> + +<p>Mar-ra boor-ba, boor-ba nung-a,<br> +Mar-ra gul-ga, gul-ga nung-a.</p> + +<p>SONGS AND EXTEMPORANEOUS CHANTS.</p> + +<p>These songs give however no idea of the manner in which they +chant forth their feelings. When irritated by any passionate +emotions they then pour out with the greatest volubility torrents +of reproach, all in a measured cadence and with at least the same +number of syllables in each line, but even the rhyme is generally +preserved; the two following translations of chants of this sort +are rendered as literally into English as the great difference +between the languages permits.</p> + +<p>CHANTS OF JEALOUSY AND REPROACH.</p> + +<p>The reader must imagine a little hut, formed of sticks fixed +slanting into the ground with pieces of bark resting against +them, so as to form a rude shelter from the wind; underneath this +were seated round a fire five persons--an old man, and his four +wives; one of these was considerably younger than the others, and +being a new acquisition, all but herself were treated with cold +neglect. One of her rivals had resolved not to submit patiently +to this, and when she saw her husband's cloak spread to form a +couch for the newcomer she commenced chanting as follows, +addressing old Weer-ang her husband:</p> + +<p>Wherefore came you, Weerang,<br> +In my beauty's pride,<br> +Stealing cautiously<br> +Like the tawny boreang,*<br> +On an unwilling bride.<br> +'Twas thus you stole me<br> +From one who loved me tenderly:<br> +A better man he was than thee,<br> +Who having forced me thus to wed,<br> +Now so oft deserts my bed.</p> + +<p>Yang, yang, yang, yoh--</p> + +<p>Oh where is he who won<br> +My youthful heart,<br> +Who oft used to bless,<br> +And call me loved one:<br> +You Weerang tore apart,<br> +From his fond caress,<br> +Her, whom you now desert and shun;<br> +Out upon thee faithless one:<br> +Oh may the Boyl-yas** bite and tear,<br> +Her, whom you take your bed to share.</p> + +<p>Yang, yang, yang, yoh--</p> + +<p>Wherefore does she slumber<br> +Upon thy breast,<br> +Once again to-night,<br> +Whilst I must number<br> +Hours of sad unrest,<br> +And broken plight.<br> +Is it for this that I rebuke<br> +Young men, who dare at me to look?<br> +Whilst she, replete with arts and wiles,<br> +Dishonours you and still beguiles.</p> + +<blockquote>(*Footnote. Boreang is the word for a male native +dog.)</blockquote> + +<blockquote>(**Footnote. Boyl-ya is the native name for a +sorcerer.)</blockquote> + +<p>This attack upon her character was more than the younger +female could be expected to submit to, she therefore in return +chanted:</p> + +<p>Oh, you lying, artful one,<br> +Wag away your dirty tongue,<br> +I have watched your tell-tale eyes,<br> +Beaming love without disguise:<br> +I've seen young Imbat nod and wink,<br> +Oftener perhaps than you may think.</p> + +<p>What further she might have said I know not; but a blow upon +the head from her rival, which was given with the stick the women +dig up the roots with, brought on a general engagement, and the +dispute was finally settled by the husband beating several of his +wives severely about the head with a hammer.</p> + +<p>The ferocity of the women when they are excited exceeds that +of the men; they deal dreadful blows at one another with their +long sticks, and if ever the husband is about to spear or beat +one of his wives the others are certain to set on her and treat +her with great inhumanity.</p> + +<p>CHANT EXCITING TO REVENGE.</p> + +<p>The next translation is that of a chant sung by an old woman +to incite the men to avenge the death of a young man who died +from a natural cause, but whose death she attributed to +witchcraft and sorcery; the natives, who listened to her +attentively, called her chanting goranween, or abusing. She stood +with her legs wide apart, waving her wanna, or long digging stick +in the air, and rocking her body to and fro, whilst her +kangaroo-skin cloak floated behind her in the wind. She was thus +quite the beau ideal of a witch. The following is the sense of +the words she used, at least as nearly as it is possible to +express their force and meaning in English.</p> + +<p>The blear-eyed sorcerers of the north,<br> +Their vile enchantments sung and wove,<br> +And in the night they issued forth,<br> +A direful people-eating drove.<br> +Feasting on our loved one,<br> +With gore-dripping teeth and tongue,<br> +The wretches sat, and gnawed, and ate,<br> +Whilst their victim soundly slept.</p> + +<p>Yho, yang, yho yang, yang yho.</p> + +<p>Aye--unconsciously he rested<br> +In a slumber too profound;<br> +The vile boyl-yas sat and feasted<br> +On the victim they had bound<br> +In resistless lethargy.<br> +Mooli-go, our dear young brother,<br> +Where is another like to thee?<br> +Tenderly loved by thy mother,<br> +We again shall never see<br> +Mooli-go, our dear young brother,</p> + +<p>Yho, yang yho, ho, ho.</p> + +<p>Men, who ever bold have been,<br> +Are your long spears sharpened well?<br> +Is the keen quartz fixed anew?<br> +Let each shaft upon them tell.<br> +Poise your meer-ros long and true:<br> +Let the kileys whiz and whirl<br> +In strange contortions through the air;<br> +Heavy dow-uks at them hurl;<br> +Shout the yell they dread to hear.<br> +Let the young men leap on high,<br> +To avoid the quivering spear;<br> +Light of limb, and quick of eye,<br> +Who sees well has nought to fear.<br> +Let them shift, and let them leap,<br> +When the quick spear whistling flies;<br> +Woe to him who cannot leap!<br> +Woe to him who has bad eyes!</p> + +<p>FEMALE ENERGY IN CHANTING.</p> + +<p>When one of these old hags has entered upon a chant of this +kind nothing but complete exhaustion induces her to stop, and the +instant she pauses another takes up the burden of her song. The +effect some of them produce upon the assembled men is very great; +in fact these addresses of the old women are the cause of most of +the disturbances which take place. The above translations, +without being exactly literal, are as near the original as I +could render them. As they are entirely uttered on the spur of +the moment there is generally abundant evidence of passion and +feeling about them; and although I might have added a great +variety, I think that the above will give the English reader as +good an idea of the peculiar mode of address of this people as it +is in my power to do.</p> + +<p><a name="chapter16"></a></p> + +<h2>CHAPTER 16. FUNERAL CEREMONIES, SUPERSTITIONS, AND REMARKABLE +CUSTOMS.</h2> + +<p>DEATH AND BURIAL OF A NATIVE NEAR PERTH.</p> + +<p>Friday June 14 1839.</p> + +<p>Yenna came to me this afternoon to tell me that Mulligo was +now so ill there was but little chance of his living for many +hours longer, and further to request that I would accompany him +to see the sufferer. Nearly two months had elapsed since Mulligo +had severely injured his spine by a fall from a tree; and +immediately after the occurrence of this accident he had +completely lost the use of his lower extremities, and had day by +day declined until he was now reduced to a perfect skeleton. I +was therefore but little surprised at the intelligence which +Yenna brought me; and as I was anxious to see the ceremonies that +would accompany his last moments I at once started for the native +encampment.</p> + +<p>CONTENTION FOR MULLIGO'S WIDOWS.</p> + +<p>Mulligo was a Ngotak and had two wives, Kokoobung and +Mugarwit, both of the Ballaroke family, and neither of them +deficient either in youth, or in such personal charms as find +favour in the eyes of the natives. I anticipated therefore that +from some quarter or the other objections would be raised to +allowing Miago, the uterine brother of Mulligo (and therefore +also a Ngotak) to carry off unmolested two such attractive young +widows. According to native custom however they of right, upon +their husband's death, became the wives of Miago.</p> + +<p>On approaching the point where Mulligo was lying, distant +about a mile from Perth, I found that my anticipations were +correct. I fell in with the encampment of the friends of a native +named Bennyyowlee, of the Tdondarup family. This native had +signified his intention of asserting his claims to the possession +of one of these young women, and even some of Miago's friends +were disposed to favour him. Bennyyowlee was absent at the +Canning River with a party of natives for the purpose of +procuring spears, and thus preparing himself for coming events. +His friends however had constructed their huts within a few +hundred yards of those of Mulligo's relatives, so that in the +event of the arrival of the Murraymen, who they were apprehensive +would make an attempt to carry off Mulligo's wives, they might be +able to assist Miago in his endeavours to prevent such an +outrage, whilst at the same time their proximity to his party +enabled them to see that no foul play took place.</p> + +<p>As I passed them they endeavoured to impress upon my mind that +one wife was enough for Miago, and that if he surrendered the +other to Bennyyowlee they would assist him against the Murraymen. +I however resolved not to interfere in the business, and thus +telling them I bent my steps to the other encampment.</p> + +<p>DYING SCENE IN HIS TENT.</p> + +<p>On my arrival I found poor Mulligo sinking fast; his two wives +and his mother were watching by his side. He just recognised me, +and faintly and slowly said, "men-dyke boola nganya" (I am very +ill.) The native women near him were much alarmed because he +could not swallow, and to support him were slowly dropping water +into his ear. His last moment was evidently near at hand, and, +after having felt his pulse and paid him a few little attentions, +which always gratify them much, I turned away to examine the +dispositions of the encampment.</p> + +<p>I found that Miago's hut was close to Mulligo's, and he +himself was present, ready to assert his right to the wives of +his dying brother should anyone appear to dispute his claims; he +was evidently well supported, for the Nagarnook family mustered +strong around his hut, and the two half-brothers of one of the +ladies in dispute were members of it. Weyup, the half-brother of +the other native girl, was also present, and therefore evidently +favoured Miago's cause. They were all in anxious expectation of +the return of Moorroongo, who had gone off with a party for the +purpose of cutting spears, with which the friends of his stepson +(Miago) might be able to act either offensively or defensively as +circumstances should require. As I conceived that there was every +possibility of Mulligo's having sufficient strength left to +linger through the night, and as the evening was fast closing in, +after a little casual conversation with the natives I returned +home.</p> + +<p>MOURNING WOMEN. THEIR SONGS AND CEREMONIES.</p> + +<p>June 15.</p> + +<p>Soon after daybreak I reached the entrance of Mulligo's hut: +he was alive but his respiration was scarcely visible. His head +rested on his mother's knees, and her withered breasts now rested +on his lips as she leant crying over him; other women were seated +round, their heads all verging to a common centre over the wasted +frame of the dying man; they were crying bitterly and scratching +their cheeks, foreheads, and noses with their nails until the +blood trickled slowly from the wounds. The men in the front of +the huts were busied in finishing off their spears, ready for the +coming fight.</p> + +<p>I stood for some time watching the mournful scene, but other +native females soon began to arrive; they came up in small +parties, generally by threes, marching slowly forward with their +wan-nas (a long stick they use for digging up roots) in their +hands; the eldest female walked first, and when they approached +within about thirty or forty yards of the hut in which the dying +man lay they raised the most piteous cries, and, hurrying their +pace, moved rapidly towards the point where the other women were +seated, recalling the custom alluded to by Jeremiah (9:17, 18) +Call for the wailing women that they may come, and let them make +haste, and take up a wailing for us, that our eyes may run down +with tears, and our eyelids gush out with waters.</p> + +<p>CEREMONY ON MULLIGO'S DEATH.</p> + +<p>As they came up to the bark hut many of them struck it +violently with their wan-nas, producing by the blow a dull hollow +sound; they then seated themselves in the circle, scratching +their faces and joining in mournful chants, of which the one +already given above was that most frequently uttered, and which, +as I sat by the young men's fire, they slowly repeated to me.</p> + +<p>The female relatives standing in the relation of mothers to +Mulligo, sang:</p> + +<p>Mam-mul, Mam-mul,<br> +My son, my son.</p> + +<p>Those in the relation of sister, sang:</p> + +<p>Kar-dang, kar-dang.</p> + +<p>And the next part was sung indifferently by both of them:</p> + +<p>Garro. Nad-joo,<br> +Meela,<br> +Nung-a-broo.</p> + +<p>Again, I shall<br> +Not see in future.</p> + +<p>Then one of the women, having worked herself to a pitch of +frenzy, would now and then start up and, standing in front of the +hut whilst she waved her wan-na violently in the air, would chant +forth dire imprecations against certain boyl-yas, or magicians, +or rather wizards, who she believed to be the cause of the death +of poor Mulligo. Whilst thus chanting she faced and addressed her +words to the men who were grouped around their huts, and it was +strange to see the various effects produced on their minds by +these harangues working in their savage countenances: one while +they sat in mournful silence; again they grasped firmly and +quivered their spears; and by-and-bye a general "Ee-Ee" +(pronounced in their throat with the lips closed) burst forth as +sign of approbation at some affecting part of the speech.</p> + +<p>Time wore on. Each withered beldame by turns addressed the +party, whilst the poor wretch, the tranquillity of whose dying +moments was interrupted by these scenes, gradually sank. At last +the vital spark departed, and that moment an old woman started +up, mad with grief and rage, tore the hut in which he had lain to +atoms, saying, "this is now no good;"* and then poured forth a +wild strain of imprecations against the before-mentioned +boyl-yas.</p> + +<blockquote>(*Footnote. Burckhardt remarked a similar custom +among the Bedouin Arabs. He says: If the deceased have not left +any male heir, or that the whole property is transferred to +another family, or if his heir is a minor, and goes to live with +his uncle or some other relative, the tent posts are torn up +immediately after the man has expired, and the tent is +demolished. Travels in Arabia page 58.)</blockquote> + +<p>As she proceeded the men became more and more excited, and at +last Moondee, the most violent of them, started forward and was +on the point of spearing one of Mulligo's wives; none of the men +attempted to interfere with him; but, as I anticipated, the women +seized him, and held him, so as to prevent him from executing his +purpose. This conduct on his part at first appeared to me to +arise from passion alone, but the reason of it was soon +explained.</p> + +<p>SUPPOSED CAUSE OF HIS DECEASE.</p> + +<p>It appears that some two or three months before this period +Weenat, a native of the upper part of the Swan, had stolen a +cloak belonging to Miago, Mulligo's brother, and had, according +to their belief, from malicious motives given this cloak to one +of the native sorcerers, or boyl-yas, who by this means acquired +some mysterious power over either Miago or his brother, but +selected the latter for his victim, when he fell and broke his +back. Another of these boyl-yas (according to the usual custom) +was called in to give his advice, and he applied fire to the +injured part. This treatment not succeeding, and the poor fellow +wasting daily away, the natives became convinced that the +unfriendly boyl-yas were in the habit of rendering themselves +invisible, and nightly descending for the purpose of feasting on +poor Mulligo's flesh whilst he slept, and being under the +influence of a charm he was not aware of what was taking place; +but Moondee chose to imagine that if his wife had been more +vigilant the boyl-yas might have been detected, and hence +intended to spear her in the leg as a punishment for her imputed +neglect.</p> + +<p>As I have before stated the women prevented this outrage from +having effect, and the two trembling girls, neither of whom could +have been more than fifteen, fled into Perth, to take refuge in +some European's house. The native men and women, after their +departure, indulged in the most unlimited abuse of boyl-yas in +general, and of the Guildford boyl-yas in particular, against +whom, according to the idea of the natives, they had very strong +presumptive evidence from the circumstance of the cloak having +been stolen by a Guildford man. It was still very doubtful what +boyl-yas were the actual perpetrators of the crime, so they were +contented with vowing to kill a great many of them in some +direction or the other, as soon as anyone could detect that in +which the suspected ones retired. This resolution having been +formed the men went into Perth in order to see that no strange +natives stole either of the young widows, whilst the women lay +weeping over the dead body.</p> + +<p>PREPARATIONS FOR THE FUNERAL. FORMATION OF THE GRAVE.</p> + +<p>I accompanied the men into Perth, and in the course of an hour +was summoned by the natives to witness the funeral ceremony. They +had moved the body about half a mile from the spot where the man +died; the women still leant over it, uttering the words, yang, +yang, yang, and occasionally chanting a few sentences.</p> + +<p>There were but few men present, as they were watching the +widows in Perth. Yenna and Warrup, the brothers-in-law of +Mulligo, were digging his grave, which as usual extended due east +and west; the Perth boyl-ya, Weeban by name, who, being a +relation of the deceased, could of course have had no hand in +occasioning his death, superintended the operations. They +commenced by digging with their sticks and hands several holes in +a straight line, and as deep as they could; they then united +them, and threw out the earth from the bottom of the pit thus +made; all the white sand was thrown carefully into two heaps, +nearly in the form of a European grave, and these heaps were +situated one at the head and the other at the foot of the hole +they were digging, whilst the dirty-coloured sand was thrown into +two other heaps, one on each side. The grave was very narrow, +only just wide enough to admit the body of the deceased. Old +Weeban paid the greatest possible attention to see that the east +and west direction of the grave was preserved, and if the least +deviation from this line occurred in the heaps of sand, either at +the head or foot, he made some of the natives rectify it by +sweeping the sand into its proper form with boughs of trees.</p> + +<p>Before the digging of the grave was completed many Europeans +had arrived at the spot for the purpose of witnessing the +ceremony; the natives were not a little annoyed at this, however +they proceeded rapidly in their work, occasionally employing a +spade, but from the extreme narrowness of the grave, it was by no +means easy to make use of this tool. During the process of +digging, an insect having been thrown up, its motions were +watched with the most intense interest, and as this little animal +thought proper to crawl off in the direction of Guildford, an +additional proof was furnished to the natives of the guilt of the +boyl-yas of that place.</p> + +<p>SUPERSTITIOUS RITES.</p> + +<p>When the grave was completed, they set fire to some dried +leaves and twigs, then throwing them in they soon had a large +blaze in it: during this part of the ceremony old Weeban knelt on +the ground at the foot of the grave with his back turned towards +the east, and his head bowed to the earth, his whole attitude +denoting the most profound attention; the duty he had now to +perform was a very important one, being no less than to discover +in which direction the boyl-yas, when drawn out of the earth by +the fire, would take flight. Their departure was not audible to +common ears or visible to the eyes of ordinary mortals, but his +power of boyl-ya gaduk enabled him to distinguish these sights +and sounds which were invisible and inaudible to the +bystanders.</p> + +<p>The fire roared for some time loudly in the grave, and every +eye rested anxiously on old Weeban; the hollow, almost +mysterious, sound of the flames as they rose from the narrow +aperture evidently had a powerful effect upon the superstitious +fears of the natives, and when he suddenly raised his meerro and +then let it fall over his shoulder in a due east direction (the +direction of Guildford) a grim smile of satisfaction passed over +the countenances of the young men, who now knew in what direction +to avenge the foul witchcraft which they felt assured had brought +about the death of their brother-in-law.</p> + +<p>THE BURIAL.</p> + +<p>The next part of their proceedings was to take the body of +Mulligo from the females: they raised it in a cloak; his old +mother made no effort to prevent its being removed, but +passionately and fervently kissed the cold rigid lips, which she +could never press to hers again. The body was then lowered into +the grave and seated upon a bed of leaves which had been laid +there directly the fire was extinguished, the face being, +according to custom, turned towards the east. The women still +remained grouped together, sobbing forth their mournful songs, +whilst the men placed small green boughs upon the body until they +had more than half filled up the grave with them; cross-pieces of +wood of considerable size were then fixed in the opposite sides +of the grave, green boughs placed on these, and the earth from +the two side heaps thrown in, until the grave was completed; +which then, owing to the heaps at the head and foot, presented +the appearance of three graves, nearly similar in size and form, +lying in a due east and west direction.</p> + +<p>The men having now completed their task the women came with +bundles of blackboy tops which they had gathered, and laid these +down on the central heap so as to give it a green and pleasing +appearance; they placed neither meerro nor spear on the grave, +but whilst they were filling in the earth old Weeban and another +native sat on their hams at the head of it, facing the one to the +north, and the other to the south, their foreheads leaning on +their clasped hands, which rested on one end of a meerro whilst +the other end was placed on the ground. The ceremonies having +been thus concluded I returned to Perth.</p> + +<p>WATCHING THE GRAVE.</p> + +<p>Sunday June 16.</p> + +<p>This evening I walked out to Mulligo's grave and found his old +mother seated there, crying bitterly. She had indeed good reason +to weep, for those infamous boyl-yas, not content with eating the +flesh of her son during his lifetime, and thereby causing his +death, had been detected by her in the very act of sitting round +his grave for the purpose of preying on his miserable remains. +There could, it appears, be no doubt of the truth of this strange +fact, for the poor old lady triumphantly pointed out their +tracks, at the spot from whence they sprang into the air, in the +direction of Guildford; but my eyes unfortunately were not good +enough to detect the slightest vestige of any traces, either +human or spiritual. However much this might have made me suspect +the old lady's veracity it had no such effect upon the natives, +and being now firmly convinced that the Guildford boyl-yas were +the guilty parties, they announced their intention of starting in +a few days for the purpose of putting Weenat to death.</p> + +<p>CONTEST FOR MULLIGO'S WIDOWS.</p> + +<p>June 17.</p> + +<p>Miago ought, according to custom, to have allowed three full +days to elapse before his brother's widows entered his hut, but +as Bennyyowlee appeared resolved not to renounce his intention of +claiming the hand of one of the ladies Miago's friends thought it +more prudent to bring matters to a speedy issue, lest, in the +interim, his rival might carry of Mugawit, the young lady he was +desirous of possessing. On Monday evening therefore when I went +to the native encampment I found that the first forms of the +marriage ceremony had taken place, which were as follows:</p> + +<p>Miago ordered the two widows of his brother to prepare his +hut, that as soon as the sun had set he might sleep there. +Bennyyowlee, who, with his friends and supporters were encamped +within a few yards of the other party, went up to Mugawit and +ordered her to follow him to his Mya, or bark hut; this she +declined doing, and he immediately speared her in the thigh. +Miago now, as in duty bound, threw a quartz-headed spear at +Bennyyowlee, which, if the latter had not most dexterously +avoided, must have proved fatal. A general disturbance would have +taken place had not I and several other Europeans come up at the +same moment and pacified Miago, whilst Bennyyowlee took advantage +of this temporary calm to evacuate the field, followed by +insulting shouts of laughter from Miago's friends.</p> + +<p>A circumstance strongly illustrating the peculiar family +customs of this people occurred this evening. Moorroongo, Miago's +stepfather, was a Tdondarup, and as such stood in the relation of +matta-gyne to Bennyyowlee; his hut stood therefore amongst those +of this native's friends, and Miago's future wives remained in +the care of his mother, and of course amongst the friends of his +rival. When however Bennyyowlee departed Miago's mother and the +two native girls went over to the Ngotak and Nagarnook party, who +were, on this occasion, united. They then built a hut for Miago +and lighted a fire; the old mother herself swept out the hut, so +as to make it perfectly clean and nice; the brides then laid down +in it, one on each side, so as to leave a vacant place in the +centre for their new lord and master; and Miago's mother, having +seen all these arrangements completed, returned once more to the +hut of her husband. This was a remarkable instance of a +stepfather and son being by custom compelled to espouse opposite +sides of a quarrel because they bore different family names.</p> + +<p>BURIAL OF A NATIVE IN THE LESCHENAULT DISTRICT. BURIAL AT THE +VASSE.</p> + +<p>As these forms of interment have considerable interest and are +somewhat varied in their details in different localities, I have +subjoined the following account of the burial of a native, as +described in an extract of a letter from Mr. Bussel, a gentleman +resident near the Vasse River in Western Australia:</p> + +<p>PROCESSION TO THE GRAVE.</p> + +<p>The funeral is a wild and fearful ceremony. Before I had +finished in the stockyard the dead man was already removed and on +its way to the place of interment, about a quarter of a mile from +where the death took place,* and I left our house entirely guided +by the shrill wailing of the female natives as they followed, +mourning, after the two men who bore the body in their arms.</p> + +<blockquote>(*Footnote. He had been murdered by his countrymen +whilst tending Mr. Bussel's cattle.)</blockquote> + +<p>The dirge, as distance blended all the voices, was very +plaintive, even musical; nor did the diminution of distance +destroy the harmony entirely; some of the chants were really +beautiful, but rendered perhaps too harsh for our ears in actual +contact: for as I joined myself to the procession, and became +susceptible of the trembling cadence of each separate +performer--the human voice in every key which the extremes of +youth and age might produce, there was a sensation effected which +I cannot well describe--a terrible jarring of the brain. The fact +that the involuntary tears rolled down the cheeks of those +infants who sat passively on their mothers' shoulders, not +appreciating the cause of lament, but merely as listeners, must +prove that these sounds are calculated to affect the nervous +system powerfully.</p> + +<p>CEREMONIES ON INTERMENT.</p> + +<p>The procession moved slowly on and at length arrived at the +place fixed upon for the burial. There had been a short silence +previous to coming thus far, as if to give the voice a rest; for +as the body touched the ground, and the bearers stood erect and +silent, a piercing shriek was given, and as this died away into a +chant some of the elder women lacerated their scalps with sharp +bones until the blood ran down their furrowed faces in actual +streams. The eldest of the bearers then stepped forward and +proceeded to dig the grave. I offered to get a spade, but they +would not have it; the digging stick was the proper tool, which +they used with greater despatch than from its imperfect nature +could have been expected at first sight. The earth being loosened +with this implement was then thrown out with the hands with great +dexterity, in complete showers so as to form, in the same line +with the grave, at both ends, two elongated banks, the sand +composing them so lightly hurled as to seem almost like +drift-sand on the seashore. In the throw, if perchance the right +limit was outstepped, the proper form was retained by +sweeping.</p> + +<p>The digging, notwithstanding the art displayed, was very +tedious: they all sat in silence, and there were no chants to +understand, or to fancy one understood, or perhaps to make +meanings to.</p> + +<p>But at length the grave was finished, and they then threw some +dry leaves into it, and, setting fire to them, while the blaze +was rising up, everyone present struck repeatedly a bundle of +spears with the mearu which they held with the butts downwards, +making a rattling noise. Then, when the fire had burnt out, they +placed the corpse beside the grave, and gashed their thighs, and +at the flowing of the blood they all said, "I have brought +blood," and they stamped the foot forcibly on the ground, +sprinkling the blood around them; then, wiping the wounds with a +wisp of leaves, they threw it, bloody as it was, on the dead man; +then a loud scream ensued and they lowered the body into the +grave, resting on the back, with the soles of the feet on the +ground and the knees bent; they filled the grave with soft +brushwood, and piled logs on this to a considerable height, being +very careful all the time to prevent any of the soil from falling +into the apertures; they then constructed a hut over the +woodstack, and one of the male relations got into it and said, +"Mya balung einya ngin-na" ("I sit in his house.") One of the +women then dropped a few live coals at his feet, and, having +stuck his dismantled meerro at the end of one of the mounds, they +left the place, retiring in a contrary direction from that in +which they came, chanting.</p> + +<hr align="center" width="25%"> +<p>BURIAL AT KING GEORGE's SOUND.</p> + +<p>The two foregoing descriptions exhibit the native funeral +ceremonies as practised at Perth, and at the Vasse on the +sea-coast to the south of Perth. I shall now add a third +description of the usages at King George's Sound as given by Mr. +Scott Nind in the first volume of the Journal of the Royal +Geographical Society page 46:</p> + +<p>Their funeral solemnities are accompanied by loud +lamentations. A grave is dug, about four feet long and three +wide, and perhaps a yard in depth; the earth that is removed is +arranged on one side of the grave in the form of a crescent; at +the bottom is placed some bark, and then small green boughs, and +upon this the body, ornamented and enveloped in its cloak, with +the knees bent up to the breast, and the arms crossed.* Over the +body are heaped more green boughs and bark, and the hole is then +filled with earth. Green boughs are placed over the earth, and +upon them are deposited the spears, knife, and hammer of the +deceased, together with the ornaments that belonged to him; his +throwing-stick on one side, and his curl (kiley) or towk (dowak) +on the other side of the mound. The mourners then carve circles +in the bark of the trees that grow near the grave, at the height +of six or seven feet from the ground; and, lastly, making a small +fire in front, they gather small boughs and carefully brush away +any portion of the earth that may adhere to them. The face is +coloured black or white, laid on in blotches across the forehead, +round the temples, and down the cheek bones, and these marks of +mourning are worn for a considerable time. They also cut the end +of the nose, and scratch it for the purpose of producing +tears.</p> + +<blockquote>(*Footnote. Charlevoix, in describing the funeral of +the North American Indians, says: Le cadavre est expose a la +porte de la cabanne dans la posture qu'il doit avoir dans le +tombeau, et cette posture en plusieurs endroits est cela de +l'enfant dans la sein de sa mere. Nor was this custom confined to +these races, for, in the words of Cicero: Antiquissimum +sepulturae genus id fuisse videtur, quo apud Xenophontem Cyrus +utitur; redditur enim terrae corpus, et ita locatum ac situm, +quasi operimento matria obducitur. De Legibus 11 +66.)</blockquote> + +<hr align="center" width="25%"> +<p>CUSTOMS OF SELF-LACERATION, AND OF REMAINING WATCHING AMONG +THE GRAVES.</p> + +<p>The foregoing relations of the ceremonies practised at a +native funeral exhibit some instances of the way in which they +lacerate themselves in the exercise of certain superstitious +rites, a custom very prevalent throughout all the yet known parts +of Australia, and according with those described in the first +book of Kings chapter 18 verse 28: And they cried aloud, and cut +themselves after their manner with knives and lancets till the +blood gushed out upon them.</p> + +<p>And again, Jeremiah chapter 48 verse 37: For every head shall +be bald, and every beard clipped; upon all the hands shall be +cuttings, etc.</p> + +<p>The natives of many parts of Australia when at a funeral cut +off portions of their beards, and, singeing these, throw them +upon the dead body; in some instances they cut off the beard of +the corpse, and, burning it, rub themselves and the body with the +singed portions of it.</p> + +<p>"It may be also remarked," says Major Mitchell,* "that a +superstitious custom prevailed among the Gentiles in mourning for +the dead. They cut off their hair, and threw it into the +sepulchre with the bodies of their relations and friends, and +sometimes laid it upon the face or breast of the dead as an +offering to the infernal gods, whereby they thought to appease +them, and make them kind to the deceased." See Maimonides de Idol +112 1, 2, 5.</p> + +<blockquote>(*Footnote. Australian Expedition volume 1 page 254 +note.)</blockquote> + +<p>It is enjoined in Deuteronomy chapter 14 verse 1: Ye are the +children of the Lord your God, ye shall not cut yourselves, nor +make any baldness between your eyes for the dead. Now the native +females invariably cut themselves and scratch their faces in +mourning for the dead; they also literally make a baldness +between their eyes, this being always one of the places where +they tear the skin with the finger nails.</p> + +<p>The custom of remaining amongst the graves is found among the +natives of nearly all known portions of Australia. A similar +practice is reprehended in Isaiah chapter 45 verses 4 and 5: A +people that provoke me to anger continually to my face, that +sacrificeth in gardens, and burneth incense upon altars of brick, +which remain among the graves, and lodge in the monuments. See +also on this subject, Lewis's Origines Hebraeae, volume 3 page +381.</p> + +<p>In Australia the object supposed to be obtained by this custom +is a revelation as to what individual caused the death of the +deceased; this revelation is made either by the means of actual +visions or by dreams.</p> + +<p>MYSTERIOUS BONES.</p> + +<p>Although the natives of the different portions of Australia +have various modes of effecting the discovery of the sorcerers +who caused the death of the deceased, as well as different modes +of avenging his death, I feel sure that they have all one common +object in view. In another part of this work I have given an +account of an old woman watching by a grave with this intention; +I have frequently however seen their sorcerers fulfil this duty; +and the following extract from Mr. Threlkeld's Vocabulary will +show the prevalence of this custom on the eastern side of the +continent:*</p> + +<p>Mur-ro-kun, the name of a mysterious bone which is obtained by +the Ka-ra-kul, a doctor or conjuror, three of which sleep on the +grave of a recently interred corpse; when in the night, during +their sleep, the dead person inserts a mysterious bone into each +thigh of the three doctors, who feel the puncture not more severe +than that of the sting of an ant. The bones remain in the flesh +of the doctors without any inconvenience to them, until they wish +to kill any person, when by unknown means, it is said and +believed, they destroy in a supernatural manner their ill-fated +victim by the mysterious bone, causing it to enter into their +bodies, and so occasion their death.</p> + +<blockquote>(*Footnote. Threlkeld's Vocabulary page +88.)</blockquote> + +<hr align="center" width="25%"> +<p>THE BOYL-YAS OR NATIVE SORCERERS.</p> + +<p>I have already had occasion to mention incidentally, on more +than one occasion, the Boyl-yas, or native sorcerers, and their +supposed powers have a mighty influence upon the minds and +actions of the natives of Western Australia, in whose +superstitious belief the boyl-yas are objects of mysterious +dread. It is supposed that they can transport themselves through +the air at pleasure, and can render themselves invisible to all +but other boyl-yas. If they have a dislike to a native they can +kill him by stealing on him at night and consuming his flesh. +They enter him like pieces of quartz, and the pain they occasion +is always felt. Another boyl-ya has however the power of drawing +them out and curing the affected person by certain processes of +disenchantment. When this operation is effected the boyl-yas are +drawn out in the form of pieces of quartz, which are kept and +considered as great curiosities by the natives. All natural +illnesses are attributed to these boyl-yas, or to the Wau-guls, +hence the reason of some native being killed when another dies. +The individual dies either by the hands of another native, from +the effects of accident, or from some natural cause. In the first +case his death is avenged on his murderer, or on some near +relative of his; in either of the other two cases it is avenged +on some connexion of the supposed boyl-yas against whom they have +a spite.</p> + +<p>KAIBER'S ACCOUNT OF THE BOYL-YAS.</p> + +<p>Interested by an account I had received of the boyl-yas from +the women, after Mulligo's death, I endeavoured to obtain from +Kaiber a more ample statement of their belief relative to these +people. The difficulty I laboured under upon this head, as well +as the dread they entertain of these sorcerers, will be best +shown by the following account of his answers to my questions, +together with his incidental remarks:*</p> + +<blockquote>(*Footnote. His words were nearly as follows:<br> + Boyl-ya yongar boyl-ya gaduk. Djerral, way-lo, wor-rar ngin +noween; Boyl-ya windoo; boko-djee wattoo; boorda nganya men-dyke +ngoomon. Boyl-ya yongar boola ngan-noween, kalla moquoin, boorda +ngin-nee nganya men-dyke ngoomon. Boyl-ya donga gaduk, boorda +gurrang ngoomon, nadjoo nginnee wangow broo.<br> + Boyl ya kote yan-na, ngin-nee bid-jar, bal-goon kote yan-na; +kote yool yannow boyl-ya. Boyl-ya windoo-buk; boorda nganneel +men-dyke ngoomon; nadjoo wanga-broo. Goodjyte yool yannow. +Boyl-ya wunja nginnee? Nganya goree katta mendyke. Boorda nginnee +nganya goodjall waingur; Yoongar nungow broo. Boyl-ya bakkan broo +kote ngan-now. Ko-tdje ngannow broo. Yel-line ngan-now (ngin-nee +nganya yonga, nadjoo wattoo yan-na.) Boyl-ya yoongar bogal boola +ngin-now. Yoongar mendyke, boyl-ya wal-byne, wal-byne, wal-byne, +etc. etc. boorda bar-rab-a-ra yoongar.)</blockquote> + +<p>The boyl-yas are natives who have the power of boyl-ya; they +sit down to the northward, the eastward, and southward; the +boyl-yas are very bad, they walk away there (pointing to the +east). I shall be very ill presently.</p> + +<p>The boyl-yas eat up a great many natives, they eat them up as +fire would; you and I will be very ill directly. The boyl-yas +have ears: by-and-by they will be greatly enraged. I'll tell you +no more.</p> + +<p>The boyl-yas move stealthily, you sleep and they steal on you, +very stealthily the boyl-yas move. These boyl-yas are dreadfully +revengeful; by-and-by we shall be very ill. I'll not talk about +them.</p> + +<p>They come moving along in the sky, cannot you let them alone. +I've already a terrible headache, by-and-by you and I will be two +dead men.</p> + +<p>The natives cannot see them. The boyl-yas do not bite, they +feed stealthily; they do not eat the bones, but consume the +flesh. Just give me what you intend to give, and I'll walk +off.</p> + +<p>The boyl-yas sit at the graves of natives in great numbers. If +natives are ill, the boyl-yas charm, charm, charm, charm, and +charm, and by and by the natives recover.</p> + +<hr align="center" width="25%"> +<p>I could learn nothing further from him.</p> + +<p>The Wau-gul is an imaginary aquatic monster, residing in fresh +water and endowed with supernatural power which enables it to +consume the natives, although it generally attacks females. The +person it selects for its victim pines away almost imperceptibly +and dies.</p> + +<p>SUPERSTITION AND THEIR OPINION REGARDING THE NIGHTMARE.</p> + +<p>The natives believe that the nightmare is caused by some evil +spirit. The way in which they get rid of this evil being is by +jumping up, seizing a lighted brand from the fire, twirling it +round the head, and muttering a variety of imprecations; they +then throw the stick away in the direction they conceive the +spirit to be in. Some of them have explained this custom to me by +stating that this evil spirit wants a light, and that when he +gets it he will go away. They however also take the precaution of +moving their position and getting as far as they can into the +group of natives who are sleeping round the fire.</p> + +<p>If they are obliged to move away from the fire after dark, +either to get water or for any other purpose, they carry a light +with them and set fire to dry bushes as they go along.</p> + +<p>VENERATION FOR CRYSTAL STONES.</p> + +<p>The natives of South-western Australia likewise pay a respect, +almost amounting to veneration, to shining stones or pieces of +crystal, which they call Teyl. None but their sorcerers or +priests are allowed to touch these, and no bribe can induce an +unqualified native to lay his hand on them.</p> + +<p>The accordance of this word in sound and signification with +the Baetyli mentioned in the following extract from Burder's +Oriental Customs (volume 1 page 16) is remarkable:</p> + +<p>And Jacob rose up early in the morning, and took the stone +that he had put for his pillow, and set it up for a pillar, and +poured oil upon the top of it, and he called the name of that +place Bethel. Genesis 28:18.</p> + +<p>From this conduct of Jacob and this Hebrew appellation, the +learned Bochart, with great ingenuity and reason, insists that +the name and veneration of the sacred stones called Baetyli, so +celebrated in all Pagan antiquity, were derived.</p> + +<p>These Baetyli were stones of a round form, they were supposed +to be animated by means of magical incantations, with a portion +of the Deity; they were consulted on occasions of great and +pressing emergency as a kind of divine oracle, and were suspended +either round the neck or some other part of the body.</p> + +<hr align="center" width="25%"> +<p>That this veneration for certain pieces of quartz or crystal +is common over a very great portion of the continent is evident +from the following extracts from Threlkeld's Vocabulary, page +88:</p> + +<p>Mur-ra-mai: The name of a round ball, about the size of a +cricket-ball, which the Aborigines carry in a small net suspended +from their girdles of opossum yarn. The women are not allowed to +see the internal part of the ball; it is used as a talisman +against sickness, and it is sent from tribe to tribe for hundreds +of miles on the sea-coast, and in the interior; one is now here +from Moreton Bay, the interior of which a black showed me +privately in my study, betraying considerable anxiety lest any +female should see its contents.</p> + +<p>After unrolling many yards of woollen cord made from the fur +of the opossum, the contents proved to be a quartz-like substance +of the size of a pigeon's egg, he allowed me to break it and +retain a part. It is transparent like white sugar-candy; they +swallow the small crystalline particles which crumble off as a +preventative of sickness. It scratches glass, and does not +effervesce with acids. From another specimen the stone appears to +be agate of a milky hue, semi-pellucid, and strikes fire. The +vein from which it appears broken off is one inch and a quarter +thick. A third specimen contains a portion of cornelian, +partially crystallized, a fragment of chalcedony, and a fragment +of a crystal of white quartz.</p> + +<hr align="center" width="25%"> +<p>And again in Mitchell's Expeditions into Australia, volume 2 +page 338: In these girdles the men, and especially their coradjes +or priests, frequently carry crystals of quartz or other shining +stones, which they hold in high estimation, and very unwillingly +show to anyone; invariably taking care, when they do unfold them, +that no woman shall see them.</p> + +<hr align="center" width="25%"> +<p>FORMS ON MAKING VOWS AND PLEDGES.</p> + +<p>Genesis chapter 24 verse 9. And the servant put his hand under +the thigh of Abraham his master, and swore to him concerning that +matter.</p> + +<p>This is exactly the form that is observed in South-western +Australia, when the natives swear amity to one another, or pledge +themselves to aid one another in avenging a death.</p> + +<p>One native remains seated on the ground with his heels tucked +under him, in the Eastern manner; the one who is about to narrate +a death to him approaches slowly and with averted face, and seats +himself cross-legged upon the thighs of the other; they are thus +placed thigh to thigh, and squeezing their bodies together they +place breast to breast. Both then avert their faces, their eyes +frequently fill with tears, no single word is spoken; and the one +who is seated uppermost places his hands under the thighs of his +friend; having remained thus seated for a minute or two he rises +up and withdraws to a little distance without speaking, but an +inviolable pledge to avenge the death has by this ceremony passed +between the two.</p> + +<p>One remarkable custom prevalent equally amongst the most +ancient nations of whom any records are preserved, and the modern +Australians, is that of naming children from some circumstance +connected with their birth or early infancy. Thus in Genesis +chapter 30 verse 11: And Leah said, A troop cometh, and she +called his name Gad; etc. etc. etc.</p> + +<p>Burckhardt observed the same custom among the Bedouins and +says:</p> + +<p>A name is given to the infant immediately on his birth; the +name is derived from some trifling accident, or from some object +which had struck the fancy of the mother or any of the women +present at the child's birth. Notes on the Bedouins, page 55.</p> + +<p>CUSTOM OF CIRCUMCISION.</p> + +<p>The natives of the Gulf of Carpentaria, and also those on the +eastern shores of St. Vincent's Gulf, practise the rite of +circumcision. That is, this remarkable rite is known to be +observed in two points of the continent of Australia exactly +opposite to one another, and which are separated by a distance of +about twelve hundred miles.</p> + +<p>OTHER SCRIPTURAL CUSTOMS.</p> + +<p>The injunctions contained in Deuteronomy chapter 23 verses 12 +and 13 are literally fulfilled by the natives in several parts of +the continent. In addition to my own testimony on this point I +will refer to Wilson's Voyage round the World, page 165, where he +states:</p> + +<p>They are cleanly in their manners, and in some respects +superior to the Europeans, fulfilling the injunction of Moses in +the twelfth and thirteenth verses of the twenty-third chapter of +Deuteronomy.</p> + +<p>This passage relates to the natives of Raffles Bay on the +extreme north of the continent of Australia, whereas I have +observed the custom in the South-western parts of Australia.</p> + +<p>They also conform strictly to the injunctions in Leviticus +chapter 15 verse 19.</p> + +<p><a name="chapter17"></a></p> + +<h2>CHAPTER 17. CHARACTERISTIC ANECDOTES.</h2> + +<p>The following casual anecdotes, though trivial in themselves, +will assist in illustrating some of the peculiarities of the +native mind and character.</p> + +<p>MIAGO'S IMAGINARY SPEECH AS GOVERNOR.</p> + +<p>Speech that the native Miago would have addressed to the +aborigines of Perth if he had landed as Governor instead of His +Excellency Mr. Hutt. He came into my room directly after the +Governor had landed, and made this imaginary address.</p> + +<p>Yiee, nap yongar Perth bak-ad-jee yuado--Moon-dee Moondee +gurrang, gurrang boola: Mir-ga-na, Mir-ga-na gurrang, gurrang +boola: Yal-gon-ga, Yal-gon-ga, gurrang, gurrang boola; yarn +bal?</p> + +<p>Buck-il-bury Wattup gidjee, yam bal gurrang boola?</p> + +<p>Bun-bury gurrang, gurrang boola.</p> + +<p>Golam-bidie gwab-ba: Mam-me-rup wan-gow-een boola.</p> + +<p>Goo-lam-bidie wilgey nab-bow, yago mial, Goo-lam-bidie donga +broo: mam-me-rup meno been boola, mam-me-rup gurrang gaduck, +golambidie gid-jee; Dule.</p> + +<p>Waumma Governor yool: yahi Perth yongar bak-ad-jee yu-a-do; +gwab-ba-litch.</p> + +<p>MIAGO'S SPEECH AS GOVERNOR.</p> + +<p>Henceforth this people of Perth must not fight. Moon-dee, +Moon-dee, you are always quarrelling. Mir-ga-na, Mir-ga-na, you +are always quarrelling. Yal-gon-ga, Yal-gon-ga, you are +quarrelsome--what is the reason of this?</p> + +<p>Bucklebury speared Wattup, what reason had he to be in such a +passion (or, why was he so very angry)?</p> + +<p>Bun-bury, you are very quarrelsome.</p> + +<p>The young men behave very well, the old ones are always +wrangling.</p> + +<p>The young men paint themselves, and the women look at them; +the young men are not aware of this, but the old men are very +jealous--and being in a passion spear the young men--this is very +wrong.</p> + +<p>Now another Governor is come, and you people of Perth must +fight no more. This is very good.</p> + +<hr align="center" width="25%"> +<p>WARRUP'S ACCOUNT OF HIS JOURNEY WITH MR. ROE.</p> + +<p>The following is Warrup's account of his journey with Mr. Roe +in search of the party left by me under Mr. Walker. (See +above.):</p> + +<p>1st day.</p> + +<p>At Dundalup we ate fish; then onwards, onwards, onwards, till +we slept at Neerroba.</p> + +<p>2nd day.</p> + +<p>Onwards, onwards, till we reached Nowergoop, where the horses +drank water; then onwards, onwards, onwards, until Manbabee, +where we ate flesh and bread. Onwards, onwards, onwards, until +Yungee, where we shot ducks, and the horses drank water. Onwards, +onwards, onwards, onwards, to Boongarrup, where we slept one +sleep.</p> + +<p>3rd day.</p> + +<p>Onwards through a forest, onwards through a forest, onwards +through a forest. We slept at Neergammy, a pleasant +resting-place; the land was good, the herbage good; pleasant was +our resting-place, and our hut was good.</p> + +<p>4th day.</p> + +<p>Onwards, onwards, onwards, we entered a woody country. +Onwards, through a forest, onwards through a forest; we now see +the waters of Kajeelup: we eat flesh and bread. Onwards through +the forest, onwards through the forest, onwards through the +forest. We see the tracks of natives; we shout aloud, and then +proceed conversing with natives; they sit down.*</p> + +<blockquote>(*Footnote. They halt or remain.)</blockquote> + +<p>Onwards go we, onwards, onwards, onwards; the horses drink +water; by-and-bye we see tracks. Onwards, onwards, onwards; we +see a large water; we shoot ducks. On the one side we see two +waters, on the other side one water we see. Onwards, onwards, +onwards, onwards, onwards; we see no other water. Onwards through +the forest, onwards through the forest, onwards through the +forest; we see a river. You had here eaten freshwater mussels: at +this river we sleep. Barramba is the place's name.</p> + +<p>5th day.</p> + +<p>Onwards through the forest, through the forest, through the +forest, through the forest onwards; water we see not. Through the +forest onwards; through the forest onwards; we see a water, but a +worthless water. Yours and Kaiber's footsteps we see. Here there +is no grass. You had here shot a bird--a cockatoo you shot. +Maribara was this place's name.</p> + +<p>Onwards through the forest, through the forest onwards, +through the forest onwards; we see no other water; the herbage is +worthless. We still go onwards, onwards through the forest. We +see natives; a few natives we see: the men are two, the women +one, the children two. We see the place called Nowergup.</p> + +<p>We say, "Where is there water? here the water is bad." The +natives say, "Yonder the water is good, here it is bad: at +Boranyup the water is good."</p> + +<p>We go onwards, onwards, onwards: at Boranyup we sleep; rain +falls as we sleep at Boranyup.</p> + +<p>6th day.</p> + +<p>Onwards through the forest, onwards through the forest, +onwards through the forest some of the others sit down; Auger +sits down; Hunt sits down. Mr. Roe, Mr. Spofforth, and I on +horseback, go onwards, onwards, onwards, onwards, through the +forest onwards, through the forest onwards, through the forest +onwards, through the forest onwards. We see the sea; then +onwards, onwards, onwards; along the sea-shore onwards, along the +sea-shore onwards, along the sea-shore onwards. We see the tracks +of white men.</p> + +<p>Then we turn back again, away we go back again, back again +away; through the forest away, through the forest away, through +the forest away; back again. We move, move, till we sit at +Boranyup; we then eat kangaroo; Hunt and Auger had brought it in. +At Boranyup we lie down: we sleep.</p> + +<p>7th day.</p> + +<p>The next day away, away, away, away, returning, returning, on +our tracks returning, on our tracks returning, on our tracks +returning. At Barramba we sit down: we eat bread and meat; they +eat freshwater mussels; the natives eat not freshwater +mussels.</p> + +<p>Away, away, away, away, away; we see the water of Djunjup; we +shoot game. Away, away, away, through a forest away, through a +forest away; we see no water. Through a forest away; along our +tracks away, along our tracks away, along our tracks away, along +our tracks away. We sleep at Ka-jil-up: rain falls; the water +here is good: the horses feed, well did the horses feed.</p> + +<p>8th day.</p> + +<p>Away, away; along our tracks away, along our tracks away; +hills ascending: then pleasantly away, pleasantly away, away; +through a forest away, through a forest away, through a forest +away; we see a water--the water of Goonmarrarup. Along the river +away, along the river away; a short distance along the river we +go: then away, away, away, through a forest away; a short +distance through a forest we go.</p> + +<p>Then along another river away, away; we cross the river; away, +a short distance away. At Neergammy we sleep, raising huts.</p> + +<p>The others continue returning; we go away, away: in the forest +we see no water; we see no footsteps; we see some papers, the +papers put by Mr. Mortimer we see: still we go onwards, along the +sea away, along the sea away, along the sea away: through the +bush away, through the bush away: then along the sea away, along +the sea away. We see white men--three of them we see; they cry +out, "Where is water;" water we give them--brandy and water we +give them. We sleep near the sea.</p> + +<p>Away, away go we (I, Mr. Roe, and Kinchela) along the shore +away, along the shore away, along the shore away. We see no fresh +water; along the shore away, along the shore away. We see a +paper, the paper of Mortimer and Spofforth. Away we go, away, +away, along the shore away, away, away, a long distance we go. I +see Mr. Smith's footsteps ascending a sandhill, onwards I go +regarding his footsteps. I see Mr. Smith dead. We commence +digging the earth.</p> + +<p>Two sleeps had he been dead; greatly did I weep, and much I +grieved. In his blanket folding him, we scraped away the +earth.</p> + +<p>We scrape earth into the grave, we scrape the earth into the +grave, a little wood we place in it. Much earth we heap upon it, +much earth we throw up. No dogs can dig there, so much earth we +throw up. The sun had just inclined to the westward as we laid +him in the ground.</p> + +<hr align="center" width="25%"> +<p>The following are extracts from a journal kept by me whilst +resident at King George's Sound.</p> + +<p>ROBBERY BY PEERAT'S WIVES. TRANSACTIONS WITH THE NATIVES IN A +CASE OF POTATO STEALING.</p> + +<p>Thursday January 23.</p> + +<p>Directly after breakfast a soldier came to me with a complaint +that the natives had last night robbed his garden in the +settlement of nearly one hundred weight of potatoes; I was +determined to have here no repetition of scenes similar to what +had recently taken place; and therefore resolved to act promptly +and vigorously upon this first offence.</p> + +<p>My first object was, in my punishment, not to involve the +innocent and guilty together, which is too often done by the +Europeans in these colonies.</p> + +<p>I therefore got hold of an intelligent native of the name of +Moyee-e-nan, and, accompanied by him, visited the garden whence +the potatoes had been stolen; he found the tracks of three +natives and, availing himself of the faculty which they possess +of telling who has passed from their footmarks, he informed me +that the three thieves had been the two wives of a native of the +name Peerat, and a little boy named Dal-be-an, the son of Peerat. +Being now well acquainted with the natives I was well satisfied +that this evidence was of the most conclusive nature, and +proceeded to act upon it by trying to arrest the delinquents; but +I found that they had, immediately after committing the theft, +walked off into the bush, thereby hoping to avoid suspicion and +with the intention of remaining absent until the affair had blown +over.</p> + +<p>MEASURES FOR APPREHENDING THEM.</p> + +<p>My mind was soon made up to pursue my friend Peerat and his +fugitive wives, but it was necessary that I should proceed with +great caution in order not to alarm the guilty parties when they +saw us approaching, in which case I should have had no chance of +apprehending them; and I did not intend to adopt the popular +system of shooting them when they ran away. I therefore +determined to take no Europeans, but only four natives who could +track the delinquents.</p> + +<p>Previously however to my quitting the town one gentleman +joined me, and thus reinforced we started on Peerat's tracks; +these we followed for about seven miles in a west by north +direction from the settlement, when we suddenly saw the bush set +on fire and thus became aware of our proximity to a party of +natives. My European friend was here unfortunately taken ill, +and, as the natives were evidently more numerous than I expected +to have found them, I was sorry to lose his services at this +period; he however faithfully promised to await my return, and I +thus knew that I had a point d'appui to retire on in the event of +anything taking place.</p> + +<p>Accompanied by the natives I now pressed forward in the +direction of the fire, and, after proceeding for about two miles +further in a west by north direction, I fell in with several +natives, one of whom was old Tooleegatwalee, well known in the +settlement. I at once intimated to Mr. Tooleegatwalee and his +friends the object of my mission; I told them that Peerat's wives +and son had stolen potatoes, that I had come out to make them +prisoners, that if they were given up to me they should only +undergo the regular punishment for petty theft; but if they were +not delivered over that I would stop the regular allowance of +flour which was issued to all the natives every two months, thus +punishing them all; and that I would moreover return home, and +then come out with a party of soldiers and fire upon Peerat and +his party wherever I found them. This last part of my +announcement was made in a very decided tone, and with a most +ferocious look.</p> + +<p>NATIVE DELIBERATIONS.</p> + +<p>The natives hereupon entered into a deliberation amongst +themselves, and eventually were unanimously agreed on several +points, as follows:</p> + +<p>1. That stealing potatoes was a very heinous offence, more +particularly in women.</p> + +<p>2, That women were notorious thieves, and altogether worse +characters than men.</p> + +<p>3, That beating women was an every-day occurrence.</p> + +<p>4, That losing flour was a great bore; and</p> + +<p>5, That in consequence of the above considerations, they would +give Peerat, his wives, and son, up to me.</p> + +<p>Each of these propositions was lengthily discussed by them, +but when they were all agreed to, they came in a body and asked +me, did I speak the truth, and lie not, when I said that I myself +was not angry with Peerat and his wives, and that they should not +be killed but only slightly punished? I assured them that I told +the truth, and lied not. We then proceeded in a body in search of +Peerat, whom we found with some more natives about half a mile +further on.</p> + +<p>DISCUSSION WITH PEERAT.</p> + +<p>He waited quietly to receive us, not having indeed the +slightest idea of what was the object of my unexpected visit; +when however he heard what I wanted he abused his wives in most +unmeasured terms, and assured me that he would thrash them +soundly, but as to giving them up prisoners, or his son either, +that he declared he would not do; and then very openly and fairly +challenged any one of the other natives, or all of them together, +to take him up, assuring them that he would spear the first man +through the heart that attempted to lay a finger on him. I +interfered so far in this dispute as to announce to Peerat that I +considered my own person as sacred, and I then cocked both +barrels of my double-barrelled gun and concluded by assuring him +I should shoot him if he resisted me.</p> + +<p>All native altercations are vociferous and noisy in the +extreme, and are usually accompanied with a great deal of running +and leaping about and quivering of spears; these circumstances I +now took advantage of, and, whilst the others threatened to spear +one another in all imaginable places, I wended my solitary way +towards Peerat's fire, where I discovered Master Dalbean, but +could see nothing whatever of the ladies, who, I presume, were +absent digging roots.</p> + +<p>HIS PLEADINGS FOR HIS SON.</p> + +<p>The young native was seized hold of before he could attempt to +escape, and, as I told him if he now moved I should shoot him, he +accompanied me very quietly; the others meanwhile capering about +and abusing one another in the distance. Peerat however soon +found out what had taken place and came running after me. These +natives are always ardently attached to their children, and this +the boy's father now evinced in the strongest manner: he first of +all declared that the boy had been asleep with him, and that it +was the mother only who had stolen; and he produced about a dozen +witnesses who all asserted that this was the case. I however +refuted this evidence by mentioning the fact of his footmarks +being in the garden. They then urged that Peerat's second wife +had also been engaged in the theft, and that she was just the +size of the boy; this however again was over-ruled from the fact +of her footmarks having been also seen there.</p> + +<p>PEERAT'S SON SECURED.</p> + +<p>The father now urged upon me the youth of the boy, and that he +was under the influence of the mother, and then fairly wept upon +his child's neck, who begged his father, and all the other +natives by name, to save him. I was now holding him by the wrist, +for the feeling of the public began at this affecting exhibition +to turn against me, even my own natives urging me to let the +little fellow go; had I followed the dictates of my own heart I +should have done so, but I knew that by being in this instance +very determined I should effect eventually much good. I therefore +held fast by my prisoner. I now saw some of the other natives +giving Peerat spears, which is always a sign that they espouse a +man's quarrel and expect him to make use of the weapons they give +him. As matters therefore now were rather a serious aspect, I +again told Peerat that I personally had no cause of quarrel with +him, but that I was resolved not to allow either the natives to +wrong the Europeans or the Europeans to wrong the natives; that +it was far better for the natives themselves that I, an impartial +person, should see that they were properly punished for theft, +than that the Europeans should fire indiscriminately upon them, +as had lately been done in another quarter; that I should now +talk no more, but that if he did not instantly take himself off +and bring his wives in to the settlement to be punished I would +shoot him. He proceeded again to answer me, but I cut him short +by saying that if he spoke again I would shoot him at once; I +thus had the last speech and therefore, as a matter of course, +was in possession of the public favour: Peerat was consequently +hurried off by his friends, whilst myself, the young prisoner, +and two of the natives who had accompanied me, started on our +return for the settlement.</p> + +<p>Although the affair had so far terminated well I was by no +means sure that Peerat might not after my departure induce the +others to attempt a rescue. I therefore hurried on to the spot +where I had left my European friend, but I only found a slip of +paper on a tree, with the following words on it: "Returned slowly +to the settlement." We moved rapidly on again and reached Albany +without further adventure, and on our arrival I lodged Dalbean in +the jail.</p> + +<p>January 24.</p> + +<p>Peerat did not bring in his wives, and to all the +solicitations which were offered me on the part of the natives +for the release of my little prisoner I answered that, when +Peerat's wives were brought in and given over to the hands of +justice, I would punish the boy and release him; but if the other +delinquents were not given up I should conceive it to be a sign +that the natives were not satisfied with my decision, and +therefore send the boy on to Swan River to be tried. I further +added that, if Peerat did not in the course of the next day +appear with his wives, I should cease to act as mediator, and +taking a party of soldiers would go out and apprehend him.</p> + +<p>HIS ATTEMPT TO ESCAPE.</p> + +<p>January 25.</p> + +<p>This morning information was given me that little Dalbean had +made an attempt to break out of jail. I therefore went up to the +jail with another magistrate and found that the little fellow had +yesterday, during the absence of the turnkey, taken up a loose +stone from the floor and had battered a hole in the door with it. +It evinced altogether more strength and determination than one +could have supposed such a boy to have been endowed with. When I +taxed him with it he stoutly denied it, asserting that whilst he +was asleep sorcerers from the north, who had a spite against him, +had entered the cell through some airholes in the wall and had +done this; and in spite of all our cross-questioning and charging +him with falsehood he still persisted in the same tale, and +really appeared to think that he could persuade us of the truth +of the assertion. I told him that it was his duty to have taken +care that these sorcerers had not injured the door, and that in +future if he did not give the alarm when they came he should be +well whipped for neglect, and that in the meantime I had a great +mind to have him whipped for telling a story; I however satisfied +myself by giving him a severe lecture upon the crime of lying. He +defended himself upon this head by ingenious arguments, +altogether overlooking the abstract question of whether lying was +a virtue or a vice, and defending himself solely upon the plea of +its general usefulness and prevalence in the world. I got rather +worsted in the argument, and therefore, confining myself to +admonitions and a few common-place maxims, I departed.</p> + +<p>PEERAT'S WIVES SURRENDERED. THEIR PUNISHMENT.</p> + +<p>In the course of the forenoon Peerat presented himself at my +window. The tale he told was a very pitiful one. He had two +wives, and to govern them both required no ordinary ability; he +assured me that he had beaten them both soundly, but +notwithstanding he could not induce them to come into the +settlement until, finally losing his temper, he had threatened to +spear them, and had thus induced them to follow him; he assured +me that he had done nothing but weep and lament since he had last +seen me, at one time for the loss of his son, and then again at +the obstinacy and bad temper of his wives, and as some recompense +for his sufferings he begged to be allowed to beat his wives +himself.</p> + +<p>I told him to bring them at once to the garden they had +robbed, and then, followed by several natives, I repaired to the +appointed place. The native women soon appeared, dreadfully cut +and mangled from the beating they had already suffered. One was a +nice-looking girl, about fourteen, but an incorrigible thief. +Peerat threw back his skin to give his arm fair play, and then, +brandishing his meerro, was going to hit her a tremendous blow +upon the head, which must have laid it open. The poor girl stood +with her back towards her husband, trembling and crying bitterly. +I caught Peerat's arm, picked up a little switch from the ground, +and told him to beat her on the shoulders with that. He gave her +two slight blows, or rather taps, in order to know where it was I +meant him to strike; but the poor girl cried so bitterly from +fear that I stopped him, told her that for this time she should +be pardoned, and then called the other woman up, but she had +already been severely beaten and had at that moment a little +child sitting on her shoulder, who cried piteously when he saw +his mother weeping, so I let her also go free. Before they +started however I gave them and the assembled natives a lecture, +talking to them in a ferocious style about my future intentions +in the event of robbery being committed, and warning them not to +judge of me from my present clemency.</p> + +<p>During the five months I had been at King George's Sound this +was the first act of petty theft, or indeed of theft of any kind, +committed by the natives; there had on several occasions been as +many as two hundred in the settlement who had no means of +subsistence but a chance job from the colonists, and the +spontaneous productions of the earth, yet during that period the +only criminals had been those above mentioned, namely, a woman, a +girl, and a boy, who had rooted up some potatoes from a retired +garden, and they had even purposely left the large potatoes and +had only taken away the small ones, in the hope that by so doing +they would lessen the crime.</p> + +<p>RELEASE OF PEERAT'S SON.</p> + +<p>In the afternoon I walked up to the jail attended by Peerat, +his wives, and a crowd of natives, to release little Dalbean. +Peerat and myself alone entered the jail; I told the jailor to +hand him the whip, he took it, and said, "Yes, yes, I will strike +him; let not another beat him, Governor."</p> + +<p>The door of the cell was then opened and the little boy was +led out: his father ran up to him, caught him in his arms, and +began kissing him; having done this he told him he was going to +beat him. The little fellow did not answer a word, but, standing +as firm and erect as possible, presented his back to him, the +father gave him one blow, and it was ended--justice was +satisfied; the criminals had surrendered to salutary laws, of +which they had but a vague and undefined knowledge. It was their +first offence; I explained to them the nature of the laws they +had broken, warned them to be careful in their future conduct, +and let them go. Little Dalbean, directly we got outside the +jail, walked up to me, took my hand, and squeezed it, and then +turned to his mother; he just looked at her, she cried, but did +not dare to kiss him, or to show any symptom of emotion; and the +whole party, after showering thanks innumerable upon my head, +moved off, saying, "What a good fellow--what a good fellow;" or, +to give a literal translation, "One good man--one good man."</p> + +<p>Sunday January 26.</p> + +<p>Old Manniotte, a native dressed in an old uniform, attended +the church service as usual this day and was apparently as +attentive as any other member of the congregation.</p> + +<p>JUDICIAL CASE OF ASSAULT.</p> + +<p>February 14.</p> + +<p>This evening a native came up to me as I was in the +Commissary's house, and said: "Djanga kain nganya goree +bomb-gur"; "A white man has just struck me." At the same time he +showed me his side which was severely bruised. I accompanied him +to the beach and there found a number of liberty men from some +American whalers walking about. There were also several natives +on the beach who were in a state of great excitement, and came +hurrying up to me. I had sent for the constable, and as I was +coming up I saw a sailor moving off to the boats, on which the +natives all shouted out, "Now, now, walk away."</p> + +<p>The natives were soon satisfied that strict justice would be +done them, and as the sailor who had struck the native was a man +belonging to the Russel, commanded by Captain Long, who had +previously taken me to Shark Bay, it was arranged with him that +the offender should be brought before me at 11 o'clock the next +day to answer the charge.</p> + +<p>February 15.</p> + +<p>This morning Taalwurt the native, attended by his various +friends, came to me before I went to the Courthouse, to insist +upon his right to speak first, as he appeared to think that a +great deal depended upon his having this advantage over his +opponent. I explained to him that, as plaintiff, this right of +course belonged to him, and he thereupon withdrew, followed by +his adherents. At the appointed hour I repaired to the Courthouse +and found the natives assembled; the Europeans had not yet +arrived. I called therefore upon Taalwurt for an information, +which was as follows:</p> + +<p>THE ACCUSATION. ATTEMPTS AT ELOQUENCE. ADJUDICATION OF THE +CASE.</p> + +<p>Colony of Western Australia, to wit: The information and +complaint of Taalwurt Tdondarup, of Albany, in the said Colony, +made before me, George Grey, Esquire, one of H.M. Justices of the +Peace in and for the said Colony, the fifteenth day of February, +in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty.</p> + +<p>The said Taalwurt Tdondarup complaineth and saith:</p> + +<p>"Nganya kype yoor-ril gool-gur, boye bomb-gur."</p> + +<p>"I in the water carelessly walked along, a stone struck +me."</p> + +<p>But at this point his eloquence totally deserted him, and he +was pulled back by his friends, who pushed forward another +native, and who stated as follows:</p> + +<p>Lindoll Mongalung saith: "Wal-bur wat-to Taalwurt: Djanga +Taalwurt kyle-gut bomb-gur.</p> + +<p>"Taalwurt djanga neyp bomb-gur, kyle-gut Taalwurt neyp +bomb-gur: Waum djanga Taalwurt matta boorn boola bomb-gur: +Taalwurt yoor-ril watto, waum djunga nar-rail ngob-barn boye +koombar bomb-gar."</p> + +<p>"Along the beach was walking Taalwurt; one of the dead struck +him under the ear. Taalwurt then very slightly struck this one of +the dead; under the ear Taalwurt very lightly struck him. Another +of the dead then struck Taalwurt very forcibly on the legs with a +stick: Taalwurt went walking along quickly; another of the dead, +in the ribs with an exceedingly big stone, extremely hard hit +him."</p> + +<p>A murmur of applause ran through the assembled natives. The +ngob-burn boye, koom-bur bomb-gur, or exceedingly big-stone, +extremely hard hit, was evidently regarded by them as a +masterpiece of eloquence; and the contrast between this and the +neyp bomb-gur, very gently struck, of Mr. Taalwurt, undoubtedly +evinced its superiority in their estimation; but as Taalwurt was +a stout able fellow, and one by no means given to deal gentle +blows when in a passion, I did not place implicit faith in this +poetical narration. I had however no doubt that Taalwurt had been +first struck and was thus the injured party; but now I knew he +had returned the blow I was also sure that he had given at least +as good a one as he had taken.</p> + +<p>The case therefore did not tell in Taalwurt's favour as much +as I expected it would; and on the offender being produced, I +found that he was a native from the island of Timor, and not much +more civilized than his opponent. The mate of the vessel who came +up with him stated that the man bore an excellent character, and +that he was willing to make any compensation Taalwurt might +require. Before the case came on I had explained this to the King +George's Sound native, who compounded the matter for +half-a-crown, and then walked off with his friends, fully +resolved to get assaulted again upon the first good +opportunity.</p> + +<p><a name="chapter18"></a></p> + +<h2>CHAPTER 18. INFLUENCE OF EUROPEANS ON THE NATIVES.</h2> + +<p>CAUSES WHY IT HAS NOT HITHERTO BEEN BENEFICIAL. INFLUENCE OF +EUROPEANS ON THE NATIVES.</p> + +<p>After reviewing the condition of the Aborigines of Australia +as it appears to have existed from time immemorial it will not be +irrelevant to examine what change or melioration of their social +state is likely to arise from the settlement of a civilised +European race among them.</p> + +<p>The colony of Swan River differing materially in the elements +of its population from those established in the eastern parts of +this continent and in Van Diemen's Land, a corresponding change +in the intercourse existing between the natives and the white +population might naturally be looked for.</p> + +<p>In modern times, with the exception of the new settlement of +South Australia, no colony has been established upon principles +apparently so favourable for the development of the better +qualities of the Aborigines, and with so fair a chance of their +ultimate civilization.</p> + +<p>The apparent advantages are that no convicts have been brought +to Western Australia to corrupt the manners of either sex, or to +lead them astray by their vicious example; and that a great want +of labour has been always felt, so that any assistance that could +have been procured from the natives would have been a material +benefit to the settlers. With these advantages we might have +hoped to see some important results.</p> + +<p>I wish not to assert that the natives have been often treated +with wanton cruelty, but I do not hesitate to say that no real +amelioration of their condition has been effected, and that much +of negative evil and indirect injury has been inflicted on +them.</p> + +<p>The first great fault committed was that no distinct rules and +regulations were drawn up for the protection of the Aborigines. +Their land is taken from them, and the only benefit given in +return is that they are made British subjects, that is, having a +right to the protection of British Laws, and at the same time +becoming amenable to them.</p> + +<p>WRETCHED STATE OF THE NATIVE POPULATION.</p> + +<p>All past experience has shown that the existence of two +different races in a country, one of which, from any local +circumstances, is considered inferior to the other, is one of the +greatest evils under which a nation can labour; a more striking +instance of which could not be adduced than is shown in the +present state of the free coloured population in America.</p> + +<p>In contemplating, then, the future destiny of the Australian +races, at the same time laying aside all thought of their +amalgamation with Europeans, the prospect is most melancholy. +Only two cases can arise; either they must disappear before +advancing civilization, successively dying off ere the truths of +christianity or the benefits of civilization have produced any +effect on them, or they must exist in the midst of a superior +numerical population, a despised and inferior race; and none but +those who have visited a country in which such a race exists can +duly appreciate the evils both moral and physical which such a +degraded position entails upon them.</p> + +<p>CAUSES OF THEIR DEPRESSED CONDITION. PREJUDICES AGAINST +THEM.</p> + +<p>If we enquire into the causes which tend to retain them in +their present depressed condition we shall find that the chief +one is prejudice. The Australians have been most unfairly +represented as a very inferior race, in fact as one occupying a +scale in the creation which nearly places them on a level with +the brutes, and some years must elapse ere a prejudice so firmly +rooted as this can be altogether eradicated, but certainly a more +unfounded one never had possession of the public mind.</p> + +<p>INADEQUACY OF SUPPORT BY LABOUR.</p> + +<p>Amongst the evils which the natives suffer in their present +position one is an uncertain and irregular demand for their +labour, that is to say, they may one day have plenty of means for +exerting their industry afforded them by the settlers, and the +next their services are not required; so that they are +necessarily compelled to have recourse to their former irregular +and wandering habits.</p> + +<p>Another is the very insufficient reward for the services they +render. As an example of this kind I will state the instance of a +man who worked during the whole season as hard and as well as any +white man at getting in the harvest for some settlers, and who +only received bread and sixpence a day whilst the ordinary +labourers would earn at least fifteen shillings. In many +instances they only receive a scanty allowance of food, so much +so that some settlers have told me that the natives left them +because they had not enough to eat.</p> + +<p>The evil consequence of this is that a native, finding he can +gain as much by the combined methods of hunting and begging as he +can by working, naturally prefers the former and much more +attractive mode of procuring subsistence to the latter one.</p> + +<p>Many of the natives have not only a good idea of the value of +money but even hoard it up for some particular purpose; several +of them have shown me their little treasure of a few shillings, +and have told me it was their intention to save more until they +had enough to buy a horse, a gun, or some wished-for article, but +their improvidence has always got the better of their +thriftiness, and this sum has eventually been spent in treating +their friends to bread and rice.</p> + +<p>EVIL EFFECTS FROM THEIR FEROCIOUS CUSTOMS REMAINING +UNCHECKED.</p> + +<p>Another evil is the very extraordinary position in which they +are placed with regard to two distinct sets of laws; that is, +they are allowed to exercise their own laws upon one another, and +are again held amenable to British law where British subjects are +concerned. Thus no protection is afforded them by the British law +against the violence or cruelty of one of their own race, and the +law has hitherto only been known to them as the means of +punishment, but never as a code from which they can claim +protection or benefit.</p> + +<p>The following instances will prove my assertion: In the month +of October 1838 I saw early one morning some natives in the +public street in Perth, in the act of murdering a native woman, +close to the store of the Messrs. Habgood; many Europeans were +present, amongst others a constable; but there was no +interference on their part until eventually the life of the woman +was saved by the courage of Mr. Brown, a gardener in Perth, who +rushed in amongst the natives and knocked down the man who was +holding her; she then escaped into the house of the Messrs. +Habgood, who treated the poor creature with the utmost humanity. +She was however wounded in several places in the most severe and +ghastly manner.</p> + +<p>A letter I received from Mr. A. Bussel (a settler in the +southern part of the colony) in May 1839 shows that the same +scenes are enacted all over it. In this case their cow-keeper +(the native whose burial is narrated above) was speared by the +others. He was at the time the hired servant of Europeans, +performing daily a stated service for them; yet they slew him in +open daylight, without any cause of provocation being given by +him.</p> + +<p>Again, in October, 1838, the sister of a settler in the +northern district told me that, shortly before this period, she +had, as a female servant, a most interesting little native girl, +not more than ten or eleven years of age. This girl had just +learned all the duties belonging to her employment, and was +regarded in the family as a most useful servant, when some +natives, from a spirit of revenge, murdered this inoffensive +child in the most barbarous manner, close to the house; her +screams were actually heard by the Europeans under whose +protection and in whose service she was living, but they were not +in time to save her life. This same native had been guilty of +many other barbarous murders, one of which he had committed in +the district of the Upper Swan, in the actual presence of +Europeans. In June 1839 he was still at large, unmolested, even +occasionally visiting Perth.</p> + +<p>CAUSES OF THEIR ATTACHMENT TO THEIR ROVING AND SAVAGE +LIFE.</p> + +<p>Their fondness for the bush and the habits of savage life is +fixed and perpetuated by the immense boundary placed by +circumstances between themselves and the whites, which no +exertions on their part can overpass, and they consequently +relapse into a state of hopeless passive indifference.</p> + +<p>I will state a remarkable instance of this: The officers of +the Beagle took away with them a native of the name of Miago, who +remained absent with them for several months. I saw him on the +north-west coast, on board the Beagle, apparently perfectly +civilized; he waited at the gun-room mess, was temperate (never +tasting spirits) attentive, cheerful, and remarkably clean in his +person. The next time I saw him was at Swan River, where he had +been left on the return of the Beagle. He was then again a +savage, almost naked, painted all over, and had been concerned in +several murders. Several persons here told me, "you see the taste +for a savage life was strong in him, and he took to the bush +again directly." Let us pause for a moment and consider.</p> + +<p>Miago, when he was landed, had amongst the white people none +who would be truly friends of his. They would give him scraps +from their table, but the very outcasts of the whites would not +have treated him as an equal, they had no sympathy with him, he +could not have married a white woman, he had no certain means of +subsistence open to him, he never could have been either a +husband or a father if he had lived apart from his own people; +where amongst the whites was he to find one who would have filled +for him the place of his black mother, whom he is much attached +to? what white man would have been his brother? what white woman +his sister? He had two courses left open to him: he could either +have renounced all natural ties and have led a hopeless, joyless +life amongst the whites, ever a servant, ever an inferior being; +or he could renounce civilization and return to the friends of +his childhood, and to the habits of his youth. He chose the +latter course, and I think that I should have done the same.</p> + +<p>SUGGESTIONS ON THE MEANS OF PROMOTING THEIR CIVILIZATION.</p> + +<p>The information I had collected regarding the Aborigines of +Western Australia encouraged me to address a report to Lord John +Russell, the Secretary of State for the Colonies, embracing the +general principles which I considered would best promote the +civilization of the race. This report having been approved, +copies of it were sent to the Governors of the Australian and New +Zealand settlements, and with a transcript of it I shall now +conclude my work:*</p> + +<blockquote>(*Footnote. [This letter has subsequently been +printed for Parliament at page 43 of the Sessional Paper Number +311 of 1841, the Colonization of New Zealand. ED.])</blockquote> + +<p>Mauritius, June 4 1840.</p> + +<p>MY LORD,</p> + +<p>I have the honour to submit to your Lordship a report upon the +best means of promoting the civilization of the aboriginal +inhabitants of Australia, which report is founded upon a careful +study of the language, prejudices, and traditional customs of +this people.</p> + +<p>Feeling anxious to render this report as complete as possible +I have delayed transmitting it to your Lordship until the latest +possible period; portions of it have in the interim been laid +before some of the local governments in Australia, and a few of +the suggestions contained in it have been already acted upon.</p> + +<p>But as so small a portion of Australia is as yet occupied, and +the important task of so conducting the occupation of new +districts as to benefit the aborigines in the greatest possible +degree yet remains to be performed, I have thought that it would +be agreeable to your Lordship to be put in possession of all such +facts relating to this interesting subject as are at present +known.</p> + +<p>None but general principles, equally applicable to all +portions of the continent of Australia, are embodied in this +report; and I am particularly solicitous that that portion of it +which commences at the 21st paragraph should receive +consideration from your Lordship, as the whole machinery required +to bring this plan into operation now exists in the different +Australian colonies, and its full development would entail no +expense whatever upon either the Home or local Governments.</p> + +<p>I have, etc.,</p> + +<p>(Signed) G. GREY,</p> + +<p>Captain 83rd Regiment,</p> + +<p>Commanding Australian Expedition.</p> + +<p>Right Honourable Lord John Russell, etc. etc. etc.</p> + +<p>REPORT UPON THE BEST MEANS OF PROMOTING THE CIVILIZATION OF +THE ABORIGINAL INHABITANTS OF AUSTRALIA.</p> + +<p>1. The aborigines of Australia having hitherto resisted all +efforts which have been made for their civilization, it would +appear that, if they are capable of being civilized, it can be +shown that all the systems on which these efforts have been +founded contain some common error, or that each of them involved +some erroneous principle; the former supposition appears to be +the true one, for they all contained one common element, they all +started with one recognized principle, the presence of which in +the scheme must necessarily have entailed its failure.</p> + +<p>2. This principle was that, although the natives should, as +far as European property and European subjects were concerned, be +made amenable to British laws, yet so long as they only exercised +their own customs upon themselves, and not too immediately in the +presence of Europeans, they should be allowed to do so with +impunity.</p> + +<p>3. This principle originated in philanthropic motives and a +total ignorance of the peculiar traditional laws of this people, +which laws, differing from those of any other known race, have +necessarily imparted to the people subject to them a character +different from all other races; and hence arises the anomalous +state in which they have been found.</p> + +<p>4. They are as apt and intelligent as any other race of men I +am acquainted with; they are subject to the same afflictions, +appetites, and passions as other men, yet in many points of +character they are totally dissimilar to them; and, from the +peculiar code of laws of this people, it would appear not only +impossible that any nation subject to them could ever emerge from +a savage state, but even that no race, however highly endowed, +however civilized, could in other respects remain long in a state +of civilization if they were submitted to the operation of such +barbarous customs.</p> + +<p>5. The plea generally set up in defence of this principle is +that the natives of this country are a conquered people, and that +it is an act of generosity to allow them the full power of +exercising their own laws upon themselves; but this plea would +appear to be inadmissible; for, in the first place, savage and +traditional customs should not be confounded with a regular code +of laws; and secondly, when Great Britain insures to a conquered +country the privilege of preserving its own laws, all persons +resident in this territory become amenable to the same laws, and +proper persons are selected by the Government to watch over their +due and equitable administration; nothing of this kind either +exists or can exist with regard to the customs of the natives of +Australia; between these two cases then there is no apparent +analogy.</p> + +<p>6. I would submit therefore that it is necessary from the +moment the aborigines of this country are declared British +subjects, they should, as far as possible, be taught that the +British laws are to supersede their own, so that any native who +is suffering under their own customs may have the power of an +appeal to those of Great Britain; or, to put this in its true +light, that all authorized persons should, in all instances, be +required to protect a native from the violence of his fellows, +even though they be in the execution of their own laws.</p> + +<p>7. So long as this is not the case the older natives have at +their disposal the means of effectually preventing the +civilization of any individuals of their own tribe, and those +among them who may be inclined to adapt themselves to the +European habits and mode of life will be deterred from so doing +by their fear of the consequences that the displeasure of others +may draw down upon them.</p> + +<p>8. So much importance am I disposed to attach to this point +that I do not hesitate to assert my full conviction that, whilst +those tribes which are in communication with Europeans are +allowed to execute their barbarous laws and customs upon one +another, so long will they remain hopelessly immersed in their +present state of barbarism: and, however unjust such a proceeding +might at first sight appear, I believe that the course pointed +out by true humanity would be to make them from the very +commencement amenable to the British laws, both as regards +themselves and Europeans; for I hold it to be imagining a +contradiction to suppose that individuals subject to savage and +barbarous laws can rise into a state of civilization which those +laws have a manifest tendency to destroy and overturn.</p> + +<p>9. I have known many instances of natives who have been almost +or quite civilized being compelled by other natives to return to +the bush; more particularly girls who have been betrothed in +their infancy and who, on approaching the years of puberty, have +been compelled by their husbands to join them.</p> + +<p>10. It is difficult to ascertain the exact effect the +institutions of a country produce upon the character of its +inhabitants; but it may be readily admitted that, if two savage +races of equal mental endowments, and with the same capacity for +civilization, were subject to two distinct sets of laws, the one +mild and favourable to the development of civilization, the other +bloodthirsty and opposed to it, the former race might gradually +be brought to a knowledge of Christianity and civilization, +whilst precisely similar efforts made with regard to the latter +might be attended with no beneficial result.</p> + +<p>11. Again, it would be unfair to consider the laws of the +natives of Australia as any indication of the real character of +this people; for many races who were at one period subject to the +most barbarous laws have, since new institutions have been +introduced amongst them, taken their rank among the civilized +nations of the earth.</p> + +<p>12. To punish the aborigines severely for the violation of +laws of which they are ignorant would be manifestly cruel and +unjust; but to punish them in the first instance slightly for the +violation of these laws would inflict no great injury on them, +whilst by always punishing them when guilty of a crime, without +reference to the length of period that had elapsed between its +perpetration and their apprehension, at the same time fully +explaining to them the measure of punishment that would await +them in the event of a second commission of the same fault, would +teach them gradually the laws to which they were henceforth to be +amenable, and would show them that crime was always eventually, +although it might be remotely, followed by punishment.</p> + +<p>13. I imagine that this course would be more merciful than +that at present adopted; namely, to punish them for the violation +of a law they are ignorant of, when this violation affects a +European, and yet to allow them to commit this crime as often as +they like when it only regards themselves; for this latter course +teaches them not that certain actions, such, for instance, as +murder, etc., are generally criminal, but only that they are +criminal when exercised towards the white people, and the +impression consequently excited in their minds is that these acts +only excite our detestation when exercised towards ourselves, and +that their criminality consists not in having committed a certain +odious action, but in having violated our prejudices.</p> + +<p>14. In the vicinity of towns where there is a certain judicial +force, and where, on account of the facility of obtaining food, +the natives always congregate, it would, by a steady and +determined line of conduct, be comparatively easy to enforce an +observance of the British laws; but, even partially to attain +this object in the remote and thinly settled districts, it is +necessary that each colony should possess an efficient mounted +police, a portion of whom should be constantly in movement from +district to district, whilst another portion, resident in a +central situation, should be ready to act instantly in any +direction where their presence was required. I do not apprehend +that this body need be numerous, for their utility would depend +more on their activity and efficiency than on their numbers. It +is absolutely necessary, for the cause of humanity and good +order, that such a force should exist; for so long as distant +settlers are left unprotected and are compelled to take care of +and avenge themselves, so long must great barbarities necessarily +be committed; and the only way to prevent great crime on the part +of the natives, and massacres of these poor creatures as the +punishment of such crimes, is to check and punish their excesses +in their infancy: it is only after becoming emboldened by +frequent petty successes that they have hitherto committed those +crimes which have drawn down so fearful a vengeance upon +them.</p> + +<p>15. The greatest obstacle that presents itself in considering +the application of the British laws to these aborigines is the +fact that, from their ignorance of the nature of an oath, or of +the obligations it imposes, they are not competent to give +evidence before a court of justice; and hence in many cases it +would be extremely difficult, if not impossible, to obtain +evidence on which a prisoner could be convicted.</p> + +<p>16. One mode of evading this difficulty would be to empower +the court to receive evidence from the natives in all cases +relating solely to themselves without the witness being sworn, +only allowing testimony of this nature to hold good when borne +out by very strong circumstantial evidence; secondly to empower +the court always to receive evidence from natives called on by a +native prisoner in his defence, such evidence being subject to +the before-named restrictions.</p> + +<p>17. The fact of the natives being unable to give testimony in +a court of justice is a great hardship on them, and they consider +it as such; the reason that occasions their disability for the +performance of this function is at present quite beyond their +comprehension, and it is impossible to explain it to them. I have +been a personal witness to a case in which a native was most +undeservedly punished, from the circumstance of the natives who +were the only persons who could speak as to certain exculpatory +facts not being permitted to give their evidence.</p> + +<p>18. There are certain forms in our colonial courts of justice +as at present conducted which it is impossible to make a savage +comprehend. I attended one quarter-sessions at which a number of +natives were tried on a great variety of charges. Several of them +were induced to plead guilty, and on this admission of their +having committed the crime sentence was pronounced upon them. But +when others denied their guilt, and found that this denial +produced no corresponding result in their favour, whilst at the +same time they were not permitted to bring forward other natives +to deny it also, and to explain the matter for them, they became +perfectly confounded. I was subsequently applied to by several +intelligent natives to explain this mystery to them, but I failed +in giving such an explanation as would satisfy them.</p> + +<p>19. The natives being ignorant of our laws, of the forms of +our courts of justice, of the language in which the proceedings +are conducted, and the sentence pronounced upon them, it would +appear that but a very imperfect protection is afforded them by +having present in the court merely an interpreter (very often an +ignorant man) who knows nothing of legal proceedings and can be +but very imperfectly acquainted with the native language: it must +also be borne in mind that the natives are not tried by a jury of +their peers, but by a jury having interests directly opposed to +their own, and who can scarcely avoid being in some degree +prejudiced against native offenders. From these considerations I +would suggest that it should be made binding upon the local +government in all instances (or at least in such instances as +affect life) to provide a counsel to defend native prisoners.</p> + +<p>20. Some other principal preventives to the civilization of +the aborigines, in addition to those I have already stated, +are:</p> + +<p>1. The existence of an uncertain and irregular demand for +their labour: thus they may have one day sufficient opportunity +afforded them for the exertion of their industry, whilst the next +day their services are not required, so that they are compelled +once more to have recourse to their former irregular and +wandering habits.</p> + +<p>2. Their generally receiving a very inadequate reward for the +services they render; this, combined with their natural fondness +for the bush, induces them to prefer that mode of subsistence +which, whilst it is infinitely more agreeable and less laborious, +procures for them nearly as great a reward as living with white +people.</p> + +<p>3. Their not being taught that different values are attached +to different degrees of labour, as well as to the skill and +neatness with which it is performed.</p> + +<p>21. These impediments might all either be removed or modified +in some districts by the establishment of native institutions and +schools, but in forming a general plan for their removal which +would be equally applicable to all parts of a colony, a very +novel difficulty presents itself.</p> + +<p>22. Imagining that a native child is perfectly capable of +being civilised, let it also be granted that, from proper +preventive measures having been adopted, this child has nothing +to fear from the vengeance of the other natives, so that it +stands in these respects nearly or altogether in the position of +a European.</p> + +<p>23. If this native child is a boy who is to pay the individual +who undertakes to teach him some calling the fee usually given +with an apprentice; who will indemnify this person for the time +he spends in instructing the boy before he can derive any benefit +from his labour, or for the risk he incurs of the boy's services +being bestowed elsewhere as soon as they are worth having?</p> + +<p>24. Until this difficulty is got over it appears evident that +the natives will only be employed in herding cattle, or in the +lowest order of manual labour which requires no skill, and for +which the reward they receive will be so small as scarcely to +offer an inducement to them to quit their present wandering mode +of life.</p> + +<p>25. The remedy I would suggest for this evil would have +another advantage besides a tendency to ameliorate it, for it +would give the settlers a great and direct interest in the +aborigines without entailing any expense upon the Government. It +is founded on the following fact:</p> + +<p>26. The Government, in order to create a supply of labour in +the colonies, have been in the habit of giving certain rewards to +those individuals who introduced labourers into them. Now it +would appear that he who reclaims one of the aborigines not only +adds another labourer to those who are already in the colony, but +further confers such a benefit on his fellow-settlers by +rendering one who was before a useless and dangerous being a +serviceable member of the community, that this circumstance alone +entitles him to a reward.</p> + +<p>27. I would therefore propose that, on the production of the +hereafter-named documents, a settler should receive a certificate +entitling him to a certain sum, which should either be allowed to +reckon towards the completion of location duties, or else as a +remission certificate in the purchase of land, or, in lieu of +this, a grant of land; and that this sum or grant should be +regulated according to a table specifying the various +circumstances that are likely to occur, and drawn up by the local +government of each place where such regulation should be +introduced.</p> + +<p>28. The documents to which I allude are these:</p> + +<p>1. A deposition before the nearest magistrate to such +settler's house that a native or natives have been resident with +him constantly for the last six months, and have been employed in +stated species of labour.</p> + +<p>2. A certificate from the government resident of the district +that, to the best of his belief, such statement is true, for +that, on his visiting this settler's house, the stated number of +natives were there, and were respectively occupied in the kinds +of labour described.</p> + +<p>3. A certificate from the protector of aborigines that he has +visited this settler's house; that the stated number of natives +were resident there, and appeared to be progressing in the +knowledge of that branch of industry in which they were +respectively stated to be employed.</p> + +<p>29. It would be further necessary that any settler who +intended to endeavour to reclaim natives should give a short +notice to the protector of aborigines previously to the +commencement of the first six months.</p> + +<p>30. Could this plan be brought into operation the work of the +civilization of the aborigines would at once be commenced upon a +great scale; it would not be confined to a single institution, +but a variety of individuals, endowed with different talents and +capacities for this work, would at once be employed on it: it is +indeed rather suited and intended for the outskirts of +civilization, thinly populated by settlers, than for towns, yet +it is applicable to both situations; whilst its direct operation +would be to induce the settler adequately to remunerate the +native for, as well as to provide him with, a constant supply of +labour, and to use every exertion by kind and proper treatment to +attach him for as long a period as possible to his +establishment.</p> + +<p>31. In considering the kinds of labour in which it would be +most advisable to engage natives it should be borne in mind that, +in remote districts where the European population is small, it +would be imprudent to induce many natives to congregate at any +one point, and the kinds of labour in which they should be there +engaged ought to be of such a nature as to have a tendency to +scatter them over the country, and to distribute them amongst the +separate establishments.</p> + +<p>32. Whilst in the well-peopled districts, where a force +sufficient both to protect and control the aborigines exists, +they should be induced to assemble in great numbers, for they +work much more readily when employed in masses, and, by thus +assembling them on one point, their numbers are diminished in +those portions of the colony which have a small European +population, and they are concentrated at a spot where proper +means for their improvement can be provided.</p> + +<p>33. The first of these principles has been strictly attended +to in the plan proposed in the 27th and following paragraphs of +this report; the second has been carried into successful +operation in Western Australia.</p> + +<p>34. In order that the work on which the natives are employed +in the vicinity of towns should be of the most advantageous +nature it is necessary that it should be productive of benefit +both to themselves and the Government which employs them, so that +it cannot be complained of as a useless expense, whilst at the +same time it should be of such a kind as to accord with that love +of excitement and change which is so peculiar to this people.</p> + +<p>35. Both of these ends would be attained by employing the +aborigines either in opening new roads or in repairing old lines +of communication; indeed this mode of employment is singularly +suited to the habits of this people; they might be kept +constantly moving from post to post, thus varying the scene of +their operations; one portion of the party might be employed in +hunting with kangaroo-dogs, or fishing, in order to supply the +others with fresh meat; and the species of labour in which the +main body were engaged might, if they wished it, be changed once +or twice in the course of the day to prevent their being wearied +by the monotonous character of their employment.</p> + +<p>CONCLUSION.</p> + +<p>36. Among other enactments which I believe would have a +tendency to promote the civilization of the aborigines, and which +are applicable to those districts in which for some time a great +intercourse has existed between the natives and Europeans, are +the following:</p> + +<p>37. That any native who could produce a certificate (from the +protector of aborigines) of having been constantly employed at +the house of any settler or settlers, for a period of not less +than three years, should be entitled to a grant of land, the +extent of which should be fixed by the local government of the +colony to which such native should belong, and that, if possible, +this grant should be given in that district to which this native +by birth belonged.</p> + +<p>That, in addition to this grant, he should receive a sum of +money, the amount of which should also be fixed by the local +government, and which should be drawn from the fund raised by the +sale of Government lands, and which sum should be expended in +goats, poultry, etc., so as to enable the native in some manner +to stock his land.</p> + +<p>That any native, having only one wife, who produced a +certificate of the civil marriage contract having been performed +between himself and her, by the resident of the district to which +he belonged, should be entitled to a small reward.</p> + +<p>That any natives who registered duly the birth of any of their +children should be entitled to a small reward.</p> + +<p>That some competent person should be paid to instruct two +native boys in such a manner as to qualify them to act as +interpreters in courts of law, and that as soon as they are found +competent they should be employed for this purpose.</p> + +<p>I believe that many other regulations, similar to these, would +be found to produce a very beneficial effect.</p> + +<hr align="center" width="25%"> +<p><a name="appendix"></a></p> + +<h2>APPENDIX.</h2> + +<p><a name="appendixa"></a></p> + +<h3>APPENDIX A.</h3> + +<p>GENEALOGICAL LIST TO SHOW THE MANNER IN WHICH A NATIVE FAMILY +BECOMES DIVIDED.</p> + +<p>Nar-doo-itch or Mo-rel-li, a Ballar-oke, born about A.D. +1735,</p> + +<p>had two wives,</p> + +<p>Kan-dow-ree, a Ngotak,</p> + +<p>and</p> + +<p>Bol-ye-ree, a No-go-nyuk.</p> + +<p>Kan-dow-ree, had the following children:</p> + +<p>Yin-dee-ree, female.<br> +Wun-ya-ree, female.<br> +Kag-a-ree, female.<br> +Yung-al, male.<br> +Wal-luk-wur, male.</p> + +<p>These were all Ngotaks.</p> + +<p>Three of these children, Yin-dee-ree, Wun-ya-ree, and +Kag-a-ree, were by Nar-doo-itch's brother, her former +husband.</p> + +<p>Bol-ye-ree's children were:</p> + +<p>Kow-en-ung, female.<br> +No-gong-o, male.<br> +Jee-bar, male.<br> +Koon-a-ber-ra, male.<br> +Ko-teyne, male.<br> +By-er-man, male.</p> + +<p>These were all No-go-nyuks.</p> + +<p>Kim-be-yen-ung, a Tdon-dar-up, married, amongst other wives, +Noo-yar, a Ballar-oke.</p> + +<p>Noo-yar's children were:</p> + +<p>Yow-at-ung, female.*<br> +Kad-jen-ung, female.<br> +Ban-in-yung, female.<br> +Now-ween-gool, female.</p> + +<p>These were all Ballar-okes.</p> + +<blockquote>(*Footnote. Married to Yungal, a son of +Nar-doo-itch.)</blockquote> + +<hr align="center" width="25%"> +<p>In order to show the way in which the different families marry +into one another I will now trace up the descendants of some of +the male children of Nar-doo-itch by each of his wives.</p> + +<p>Yung-al, the son of Nar-doo-itch,</p> + +<p>called also</p> + +<p>Be-ra-gore,</p> + +<p>married:</p> + +<p>Ming-an, a Ballar-oke,<br> +Ko-pan, a Nagar-nook,<br> +Yow-at-ung, a Ballar-oke, daughter of Kim-be-yen-ung.</p> + +<p>Ming-an's children were:</p> + +<p>Book-oop, female.<br> +Yu-yat, male.<br> +Me-kat, female.<br> +Tdan-up, female.</p> + +<p>These were all Ballar-okes.</p> + +<p>Ko-pan's children were:</p> + +<p>E-lar, male.<br> +Wat-up, male.<br> +Bil-yan, male.<br> +Mong-a-na, female.<br> +Wun-daile, female.</p> + +<p>These were all Na-gar-nooks.</p> + +<p>Yow-at-ung's children were:</p> + +<p>Im-bat, male.<br> +Jil-gar, male.<br> +Gi-mat, male.<br> +Dubin, female.<br> +Boo-yin female.</p> + +<p>These were all Ballar-okes.</p> + +<p>Jee-bar, a No-go-nyuk, another son of Nar-doo-itch, +married:</p> + +<p>Kag-a-ree, a Ngotak.<br> +Bar-ri-kan, a Tdondarup.</p> + +<p>Kag-a-ree's children were:</p> + +<p>Mun-gal-wurt, male.<br> +Ell-yar, male.<br> +Wun-jan-ing, female.<br> +War-ran-ung, female.<br> +Bee-wul-lo, male.</p> + +<p>Ngotaks.</p> + +<p>Bar-ri-kan's children were:</p> + +<p>Djar-a-bung, female.<br> +Nag-a-bung, female.<br> +Yu-gat, male.<br> +Ka-ral-ung, male.</p> + +<p>Tdondarups.</p> + +<p>Bee-wul-lo, a Ngotak, the son of Jee-bar, married:</p> + +<p>Wun-daile, a Na-gar-nook,<br> +Noon-dup, a No-go-nyuk,<br> +Du-bin, a Ballar-oke,<br> +Ek-kan, a Ballar-oke,<br> +Ming-up, a Ballar-oke,<br> +We-jee-bung, a Ballar-oke.</p> + +<p>Wun-daile's children were:</p> + +<p>Yen-na, male.<br> +War-rup, male.<br> +Tu-yin, male.<br> +Dow-eer, male.<br> +Wil-gup, female.<br> +Ka-bin-yung, female.<br> +Bate-up, female.</p> + +<p>Na-gar-nooks.</p> + +<p>Noon-dup's children were:</p> + +<p>Mee-nung, male.<br> +Kow-elwurt, male.<br> +Ngar-ra-jil, male.<br> +Kau-mar, male.<br> +Koot-in, male.<br> +Il-gat, male.</p> + +<p>No-go-nyuks.</p> + +<p>Du-bin had but one child:</p> + +<p>Waj-jup, female, a Ballar-oke.</p> + +<p>Ek-kan's children are:</p> + +<p>Wy-up, male.<br> +Kok-o-bung, female.<br> +Wee-muk, female.</p> + +<p>Ballar-okes.</p> + +<p>Ming-up has but one child living:</p> + +<p>Win-bill, male, a Ballar-oke.</p> + +<hr align="center" width="25%"> +<p><a name="appendixb"></a></p> + +<h3>APPENDIX B.</h3> + +<p>MOUNT FAIRFAX, THE WIZARD HILLS, AND CHAMPION BAY.</p> + +<p>(From the Nautical Magazine for July 1841 page 443.)</p> + +<p>The only part of the West coast (to the northward of Swan +River) that has been visited by the Beagle is that part +immediately to the eastward of the Abrolhos, and it is remarkable +from being under the high tableland of Moresby's Flat-topped +Range, which is a considerable elevation, and in clear weather is +visible from a ship's mast-head at the Abrolhos.</p> + +<p>This range of hills extends north-north-west six miles from +Mount Fairfax, which, although a detached hill, may be considered +its southern extreme. Mount Fairfax is a table-topped hill, the +summit of which is an elevated part at its southern edge, and is +590 feet high. It is in latitude 28 degrees 45 1/4 minutes, and +longitude 1 degree 3 3/4 minutes west of Swan River, and 4 miles +from the coast. To the south-east of Moresby's Flat-topped Range +are the Wizard Hills, the highest of which, Wizard Peak, is 640 +feet. It is in latitude 28 degrees 49 minutes 37 seconds south +and longitude 0 degrees 58 1/2 minutes west of Swan River. For 10 +1/2 miles to the northward of Moresby's Flat-topped Range are +some remarkable detached ranges of tableland, from 500 to 600 +feet high, at the northern extreme of which are the Menai Hills. +Some of them show as peaks, but appear only to be the gable ends, +as it were, of table-topped ridges.</p> + +<p>In latitude 28 degrees 47 minutes south there is a narrow neck +of low land projecting about 1 3/4 miles from the coastline, to +the northward of which there is good anchorage in Champion +Bay.</p> + +<p>Point Moore, which is the extreme of this low projection, +bears west 13 degrees south (magnetic) from Mount Fairfax, and +west 17 degrees north (magnetic) from Wizard Peak. The anchorage +is protected from the westward by a reef that extends upwards of +a mile to the northward from Point Moore: but half a mile to the +northward of the reef is a detached shoal patch which breaks +occasionally, between which and the reef there is a passage +through which the Beagle passed, and had not less than six +fathoms. But perhaps it would be advisable in standing into the +bay to pass to the northward of this danger, which may be done by +not bringing Mount Fairfax to bear to the southward of east 1/4 +south (magnetic) until Point Moore bears south.</p> + +<p>This bay is open to the northward, but, as the winds from that +quarter are not frequent, and then only in the winter season, it +may be considered as affording shelter from the prevailing winds +on the coast. The water is shoal in the head of the bay, but a +good anchorage may be taken three-quarters of a mile off shore in +four fathoms sandy bottom, with Point Moore bearing south 50 +degrees west and a remarkable bare brown sandhill in the +south-east part of the bay, bearing south 31 degrees east. Mount +Fairfax will then bear north 87 minutes east, and the north +extreme of the reef from Point Moore north 50 minutes west. +Wizard Peak is not seen from this anchorage.</p> + +<p>South of Point Moore is another bay formed by a continuation +of the same reef that shelters Champion Bay from the westward; +but it is quite exposed to the prevailing winds. From Champion +Bay the coast to the northward is sandy, and fronted by sandhills +slightly covered with shrubs. This description of coast continues +for nearly twenty miles. In latitude 28 degrees 25 minutes is a +remarkable white sand-patch 274 feet above the sea, between two +and three miles south of which is a deep ravine where there is +probably a stream of fresh water. Here the shore becomes steeper, +and rises abruptly from the sea, forming downs about 300 feet +high. Native fires were seen in this neighbourhood, and the +country had a more fertile appearance than in the vicinity of +Champion Bay. This part of the coast is bold too, and is free +from outlaying dangers, the depth of water from two to three +miles off shore being taken between 16 and 29 fathoms. High-water +at Champion Bay takes place on change days at 9 hours 30 minutes +P.M. nearly, and the range is from 12 to 24 inches. The stream of +tide is not perceptible, but there is generally a current along +the coast to the north-north-west from half a mile to one mile an +hour.</p> + +<p>Champion Bay appears to be the only anchorage on the coast +between Swan River and Shark Bay: it is preferable to Gage's +Road, and may at no very distant period become of importance to +Western Australia in consequence of a considerable tract of fine +country having lately been discovered immediately to the eastward +of Moresby's Flat-topped Range.</p> + +<hr align="center" width="25%"> +<p><a name="appendixc"></a></p> + +<h3>APPENDIX C.</h3> + +<p>CONTRIBUTIONS TOWARDS THE GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION OF THE +MAMMALIA OF AUSTRALIA, WITH NOTES ON SOME RECENTLY DISCOVERED +SPECIES, BY J.E. GRAY, F.R.S., ETC. ETC., IN A LETTER ADDRESSED +TO THE AUTHOR.</p> + +<p>British Museum, 10th July 1841.</p> + +<p>MY DEAR SIR,</p> + +<p>The very little attention which has hitherto been paid to the +distribution of the animals of Australia, and the very incorrect +manner in which the habitats of the different species are given +in collections and systematic works, have induced me to send you, +with the description of the new species recently brought from +that country, a table showing at one view the distribution of the +different species which have hitherto been recorded as found in +Australia, as far as the materials at my disposal will allow +me.</p> + +<p>I am the more induced to do so as I believe I have now under +my care the richest collection of the animals of this country in +any Museum; as, besides the specimens which we have been +collecting from different quarters, with the kind assistance of +Mr. Ronald Gunn, Mr. Harvey, and yourself, we have just purchased +a complete series of all the species and varieties brought by Mr. +Gould from different parts of this Continent; and these specimens +were all marked with the habitat immediately after they were +procured.</p> + +<p>The first column in the following table indicates the species +found in New South Wales, and the east part of the Continent; the +number in the column specifying the particular habitats where the +species has been observed,</p> + +<p>1. Sydney, and its neighbourhood.<br> +2. The Rivers Hunter and Maitland, and Goulburn Plains.<br> +3. Liverpool Plains.<br> +4. Liverpool Range.<br> +5. The Namoi and Mokai Rivers.<br> +6. Bong-Bong.<br> +7. Yarrundi.<br> +8. Interior (generally).<br> +9. Australian Alps.<br> +10. Murrumbidgee River.<br> +11. Moreton Bay.<br> +12. Clarence River.<br> +13. Port Phillip.<br> +14. Bathurst.<br> +15. Interior of Australia Felix.<br> +16. Murray River.<br> +17. Bayunga River.<br> +18. Darling River.<br> +19. Glenelg River.<br> +20. Port Stevens Mountains.<br> +21. Port Macquarie.</p> + +<p>The second column refers to South Australia, and the numbers +in it to:</p> + +<p>1. Adelaide and its vicinity.<br> +2. Kangaroo Island.<br> +3. The South Coast.<br> +4. Port Lincoln.<br> +5. Murray River.</p> + +<p>The third column refers to Western Australia, as:</p> + +<p>1. Perth.<br> +2. King George's Sound.<br> +3. Northam.<br> +4. Canning River.<br> +5. Rottnest and Garden Islands.</p> + +<p>The fourth column refers to the North-west Coast of +Australia:</p> + +<p>1. Hanover Bay.<br> +2. Islands in Shark Bay.<br> +3. Dirk Hatterick's Bay.<br> +4. Generally, the peculiar locality not being marked.</p> + +<p>The fifth column to the North Coast:</p> + +<p>1. Port Essington.</p> + +<p>The sixth column to the Island of Van Diemen's Land, the +numbers to:</p> + +<p>1. Hobart Town.<br> +2. Circular Head.<br> +3. Bass Strait and King's Island.<br> +4. New Norfolk.<br> +5. Kangaroo Point.<br> +6. Tasman's Peninsula.<br> +7. Launceston.<br> +8. Acteon Island.<br> +9. Mount Wellington.</p> + +<p>The seventh column to Norfolk Island, marked Number 1.</p> + +<p>PRIMATES. Family Vespertilionidae.</p> + +<p>1. Rhinolophus megaphyllus Gray. 1:10.</p> + +<p>2. Nyctophilus geoffroyii Leach ? 1:1 1:7 3:1 6:1.<br> +Barbastellus pacificus Gray.<br> +Nyctinomus ---- ? Bennett.<br> +Var. major 3:1.</p> + +<p>Scotophilus.</p> + +<p>* Wings and interfemoral membranes with lines of hairs.</p> + +<p>3. Scotophilus morio, new species.</p> + +<p>4. S. gouldii, new species. 1:2 6:7.</p> + +<p>5. S. australis, new species. 1:1 1:4 2:1 3:4 6:1.</p> + +<p>** Wings nearly bald.</p> + +<p>6. S. pumilus, new species. 1:7.</p> + +<p>7. Molossus australis 5:1.</p> + +<p>8. Pteropus poliocephalus Temm. 1:11 1:12.<br> +Pt. edwardsii G. Bennett not Desm.</p> + +<p>FERAE. Family Felidae.</p> + +<p>9. Canis familiaris australasiae. 1:1 2:1 ?<br> +Canis Dingo Blumenb.<br> +Family Phocidae.</p> + +<p>10. Otaria peronii. 1:1 ?</p> + +<p>Family Didelphidae.</p> + +<p>11. Thylacinus cynocephalus Fischer 6:2.<br> +Didelphis cynocephalus Harris.</p> + +<p>12. Diabolus ursinus 6:1 6:2.<br> +Didelphis ursina Harris.<br> +Sarcophilus ursinus F. Cuv.</p> + +<p>Dasyurus.</p> + +<p>* Thumb small, clawless.</p> + +<p>13. D. maculatus 6:1 6:2.<br> +Viverra maculata Shaw.<br> +Dasyurus macrurus Geoff.</p> + +<p>14. D. geoffroyii Gould 1:3.</p> + +<p>** Thumb none.</p> + +<p>15. Dasyurus viverrinus Geoff. 1:1 1:2 1:3 6:1 6:2.<br> +Didelphis viverrina Shaw. 1:6.<br> +Var. Das. maugei Geoff.</p> + +<p>Phascogale Temm.</p> + +<p>* Tail end tufted.</p> + +<p>16. Ph. penicillata Temm. 1:2 1:11 2:1.<br> +Didelphis penicillata Shaw 1:3.<br> +Dasyurus tafa Geoff.</p> + +<p>** Tail conical, end pencilled.</p> + +<p>17. Ph. minima Temm. 6:3.<br> +Dasyurus minimus Geoff.<br> +Ph. swainsonii Waterh.</p> + +<p>18. Ph. affinis, new species. 6:6.</p> + +<p>19. Ph. rufogaster, new species. 2:1.</p> + +<p>20. Ph. flavipes Waterh. 1:2 1:3.</p> + +<p>21. Ph. murina Waterh. 1:2 3:4.</p> + +<p>22. Ph. leucogaster, new species 3:1.</p> + +<p>23. Myrmecobius fasciatus Waterh. 3:1.</p> + +<p>24. ---- ---- ? rufus Mitchell.<br> +Red shrew mouse G. Bennett 1:8 ?</p> + +<p>Perameles.</p> + +<p>a Tail tapering.<br> +* Rump banded.</p> + +<p>25. Per. gunnii Gray 6:1.</p> + +<p>26. Per. fasciata new species 1:3 2:1.</p> + +<p>** Hair grizzled, ears acute, long.</p> + +<p>27. Per. nasuta Geoff. 1:1.<br> +P. aurita Mus Par.<br> +P. bougainvillii Quoy.</p> + +<p>*** Hair grizzled, ears rounded. 3:2.</p> + +<p>28. Per. fusciventer, new species.</p> + +<p>29. Per. obesula Geoff. 1:1 ? 3:1 6:4 6:5.<br> +Didelphis obesula Shaw.</p> + +<p>b. Hair soft, tail end tufted, ears very long, Paragalia.</p> + +<p>30. Per. lagotis Reid 3:3.</p> + +<p>31. Choeropus ecaudatus Ogilby 1:16.<br> +Perameles ecaudatus Ogilby.</p> + +<p>32. Phalangista vulpina Desm. 1:7 1:4 2:2 3:2 3:3 5:1 6:1.<br> +Didelphis vulpina Shaw 1:5 1:10.<br> +Didelphis lemurina Shaw 1:11.<br> +Didelphis peregrina Bodd.<br> +Var. 1. 3:1.<br> +Var. 2. 1:5.</p> + +<p>33. Phal. fuliginosa Ogilby 6:2.<br> +Var. grisea.</p> + +<p>34. Phal. xanthopus Ogilby 1:19.</p> + +<p>35. Phal. canina Ogilby 1:2.</p> + +<p>36. Phal. cuvieri Gray 1:8 ?<br> +Ph. cookii Cuvier.<br> +Petaurus cookii F. Cuv.</p> + +<p>37. Dromicia nana 6:1.<br> +Phalangista nana Geoff.<br> +Phal. gliriformis Bell.</p> + +<p>38. Hepoona cookii 1:1 1:3 1:4 3:1 3:2 6:1.<br> +Phalangista cookii Gray 1:7.<br> +Phalangista banksii Gray.<br> +Balantia cookii Kuhl.<br> +Phalangista viverrina Ogilby.</p> + +<p>39. Petaurista taguanoides Desm. 1:1 1:21.</p> + +<p>40. Petaurista leucogaster 1:16.<br> +Petaurus leucogaster Mitchell.</p> + +<p>41. Petaurus macrurus Geoff. 1:8 1:14.<br> +Didelphis macrura Shaw.</p> + +<p>42. Petaurus flaviventer Desm. 1:3.</p> + +<p>43. Petaurus breviceps 1:8.<br> +Belideus breviceps Waterh.</p> + +<p>44. Petaurus sciureus Desm. 1:1 1:2 7:1.<br> +Didelphis sciurea Shaw. 1:3 1:13.</p> + +<p>45. Petaurus peronii Desm. ? 1:2.</p> + +<p>46. Acrobates pygmaeus Desm. 1:8.<br> +Didelphis pygmaea Shaw.</p> + +<p>Macropus.</p> + +<p>* Tail end simple; fur one-coloured.</p> + +<p>47. Mac. major Shaw. 1:1 1:4 2:1 6:1 6:9.<br> +Macropus giganteus Shaw. 1:8 1:15.<br> +Halmaturus labiatus Geoff.<br> +Halmaturus rufogriseus Lesson ?<br> +Var. Macropus albus Gray.</p> + +<p>48. Mac. laniger Lesson 1:5 1:10 2:15.<br> +Kangurus rufus Lesson 1:21 1:19.</p> + +<p>49. Mac. fuliginosus Lesson 2:2.</p> + +<p>** Tail end simple, back coloured.</p> + +<p>50. Mac. lunatus Gould 3:1.</p> + +<p>*** Tail end clawed. (Onychogalea.)</p> + +<p>51. Mac. frenatus Gould 1:3 1:8.</p> + +<p>52. Mac. unguifer Gould 4:1.<br> +Halmaturus.</p> + +<p>* Tail long, end slightly tufted.</p> + +<p>53. Hal. parryii Gray 1:20.<br> +Macropus parryii Bennett 1:3.<br> +Var. pallida Gray.</p> + +<p>54. Hal. manicatus Gould 3:1.<br> +Hal. irma Jourdan.<br> +** Tail simple, back one-coloured.</p> + +<p>55. Hal. bennettii Waterh. 4:1.<br> +Hal. ualabatus Gray 4:2 4:3.<br> +Halm. fruticus Ogilby 4:5 4:7.</p> + +<p>56. Hal. ualabatus Lesson 1:2.<br> +Halm. lessonii Gray.</p> + +<p>57. Hal. elegans 1:6 1:15.<br> +Mac. elegans Lambert.<br> +Hal. ruficollis Lesson, Gould.<br> +</p> + +<p>58. Hal. billardieri Lesson 6:1 6:2.<br> +Hal. tasmanii Gray 6:3 6:7.<br> +Hal. rufiventer Ogilby.</p> + +<p>59. Hal. eugenii Gray 1:1 1:2 2:1 ?<br> +Hal. thetis Lesson.<br> +Kangurus eugenii Desm.</p> + +<p>60. Hal. brachyurus Quoy 3:2.<br> +Hal. thylogale brevicaudatus Gray</p> + +<p>*** Tail simple, back streaked.</p> + +<p>61. Hal. dorsalis Gray 1:8 1:5 1:17 1:3.</p> + +<p>62. Hal. parma Gould 1:1.</p> + +<p>63. Hal. derbianus Gray 2:2.<br> +Var. obscurior 3:5.</p> + +<p>64. Hal. ? banksianus Lesson 1:1 ?</p> + +<p>65. Hal. fasciatus Goldf. 4:2.<br> +Kangurus fasciatus Lesson.</p> + +<p>Petrogale.</p> + +<p>* Tail conical, slightly tufted.</p> + +<p>66. P. robusta Gould 1:4 1:8.</p> + +<p>** Tail end tufted.</p> + +<p>67. P. brachyotis Gould 4:1.</p> + +<p>68. P. penicillata Gray 1:3 1:21.<br> +Heteropus albogularis Jourdan.</p> + +<p>69. P. lateralis Gould 3:1.</p> + +<p>70. Hypsiprymnus minor Cuv. 1:1 6:1.<br> +Macropus minor Shaw.<br> +Hyps. myosurus Ogilby.</p> + +<p>71. Hyps. ? lesueurii Quoy 4:3.</p> + +<p>72. Hyps. gilbertii Gould 3:2.</p> + +<p>73. Lagorchestes leporoides Gould 1:3 1:5.</p> + +<p>Bettongia Gray.</p> + +<p>* Tail end blackish.</p> + +<p>74. Bett. setosa Gray 1:3 1:5.<br> +Hypsiprymnus setosus Ogilby.<br> +Hyp. murinus Ogilby.<br> +Var. Bett. penicillata Gray.</p> + +<p>75. Bett. ogilbii Gould 3:1.</p> + +<p>** Tail end brown, white tipped.</p> + +<p>76. Bett. whitei Gould 1:1.<br> +Hypsiprymnus whitei Quoy.<br> +H. formosus Ogilby.<br> +Hyp. phillipii Ogilby.</p> + +<p>77. Bett. grayii 2:4.<br> +Hyp. grayii Gould.</p> + +<p>*** Tail grey, ears black.</p> + +<p>78. B. rufescens Gray 1:1.<br> +Bett. melanotis Ogilby.</p> + +<p>79. Phascolarctos fuscus Desm. 1:1 1:8.<br> +Ph. cinereus Fischer.<br> +Lipurus cinereus Goldf.</p> + +<p>80. Phascolomys ursinus 1:8 2:1 6:1 6:2.<br> +Didelphis ursina Shaw 1:15 6:3.<br> +Wombatus fossor Geoff.<br> +Phasc. fuscus Desm.<br> +Amblotis fossor Illiger.</p> + +<p>Order GLIRES. Family Muridae.</p> + +<p>81. Hydromys chrysogaster Geoff. 1:3 1:11 3:1 6:1 6:2 6:8.<br> +Hyd. leucogaster Geoff.</p> + +<p>82. Pseudomys australis Gray 1:3.</p> + +<p>83. Mus setifer Horsf. 6:1.</p> + +<p>84. Mus lutreola new species 1:2 2:1 6:5 6:3.</p> + +<p>85. Mus greyii new species 2:1.</p> + +<p>86. Mus adelaidensis new species 2:1.</p> + +<p>87. Mus ? platurus Mitchell 1:18.</p> + +<p>88. Mus ? hovellii Mitchell 1:17.</p> + +<p>89. Hapalotis albipes Licht. 1:3 1:9 ?<br> +Conilurus destructor Ogilby 1:18.</p> + +<p>90. Hapalotis mitchellii 1:16.<br> +Dipus mitchellii Ogilby.</p> + +<p>91. Hapalotis gouldii new species 3:1.</p> + +<p>Order UNGULATA. Family Dasypidae.</p> + +<p>92. Echidna aculeata 1:4 1:8.<br> +Myrmecophaga aculeata Shaw.<br> +Tachyglossus aculeatus Illiger.<br> +Echidna hystrix Cuv.</p> + +<p>93. Echidna setosa 6:1 6:2.<br> +Ornithorhynchus hystryx var. Home.<br> +Tachyglossus setosus Illiger.</p> + +<p>94. Platypus anatinus Shaw 1:1 6:4.<br> +Ornithorhynchus paradoxus Blum.<br> +Orn. rufus and O. fuscus Leach.<br> +O. crispus and elvis Macgillivray.<br> +O. brevirostris Ogilby.</p> + +<p>Order CETAE.</p> + +<p>95. Delphinorhynchus pernetttensis 5:1.</p> + +<p>96. Balaena physalis 4:1.</p> + +<p>Total of species found in each country 1:60 2:18 3:20 4:6 5:3 +6:22 7:1.</p> + +<p>Total of species peculiar to each country 1:45 2:6 3:12 4:6 +5:2 6:11 7:0.</p> + +<center> +<p><a name="grey2-30a"></a><img alt="" src="images/grey2-30a.jpg"></p> + +<p><a name="grey2-30b"></a><img alt="" src="images/grey2-30b.jpg"></p> + +<p><a name="grey2-30c"></a><img alt="" src="images/grey2-30c.jpg"></p> + +<p><a name="grey2-30d"></a><img alt="" src="images/grey2-30d.jpg"></p> + +<p><a name="grey2-30e"></a><img alt="" src="images/grey2-30e.jpg"></p> +</center> + +<p>Of these species there are:</p> + +<p>Non-Marsupial:</p> + +<p>Primates 8.</p> + +<p>Ferae 2.</p> + +<p>Cetae 2.</p> + +<p>Glires 11.</p> + +<p>Total 23 Marsupial (Didelphidae) 71.</p> + +<p>Monotrematous 3.</p> + +<p>Total 97.</p> + +<p>This list shows the progress which has taken place in the +knowledge of the Australian animals; for only a few years ago it +was generally stated that the Australian dog was the only +non-Marsupial animal found on the continent.</p> + +<p>The following species appear to be new to science.</p> + +<p>Number 1. Rhinolophus megaphyllus, Gray Proceedings of the +Zoological Society 1834 52.</p> + +<p>Brown, end of the hairs of the back with small, and on the +lower side of the body with longer, grey tips. Ears with two +hairy lines on each side. Wings with little tufts of short hairs +near the side of the body beneath. (Nose leaf destroyed.) Body, 2 +inches 3-12; fore-arm, 1 11-12; tail 11-12; fore-legs, 9-12; +ears, 7-12.</p> + +<p>Number 2. Scotophilus morio, Gray.</p> + +<p>Back uniform, brownish black, scarcely paler beneath; cheeks +nearly black; underside of wings, and interfemoral membrane with +lines of hairs; heel bone elongated, slender; ears moderate +rounded; tragus oblong blunt; fore-arm bone, 1 10-12; shin bone, +9-12 of an inch.</p> + +<p>Number 4. Scotophilus gouldii, Gray.</p> + +<p>Blackish, hinder half of the back brownish; sides and abdomen +brownish ash; ears rather large, broad; tragus half ovate; +underside of the wings and interfemoral membrane with lines of +hairs.</p> + +<p>Var. 1. Hinder part of the back greyish; sides of the abdomen +grey. Inhabits Australasia, Mr. Gould.</p> + +<p>Number 5. Scotophilus australis, Gray.</p> + +<p>Back blackish; tips of the hairs rather browner; beneath +rather paler on the sides of the abdomen; ears small; tragus oval +lanceolate, rather crescent-shaped; wings, with sixteen or +eighteen oblique cross lines of hairs under each fore-arm, and +scattered hairs on the sides of the body; fore-arm, bone, 1 5-12; +shin bone, 15-24. Var. rather larger fore-arm bone, 1 7-12; shin +bone, 17-24.</p> + +<p>Number 6. Scotophilus pumilus, Gray.</p> + +<p>Grey brown, base of the fur blackish, beneath paler; cheeks +blackish; ears small, rather thin, longer than the fur; tragus +elongate, half as long as the ears, rounded at the end; wings +nearly bald, except near the arm-pit; interfemoral membrane hairy +at the base; heel-bone elongate, two-thirds the length of the +margin of the interfemoral membrane. Head and body, 1 2-12; tail +11-12; fore-arm bone, 1 2-12.</p> + +<p>This species, Mr. Gould notes, flies quick and low over +water.</p> + +<p>Number 7. Molossus australis. See Gray, Magazine of Zoology +and Botany volume 2 501.</p> + +<p>Number 15. Dasyurus viverrinus.</p> + +<p>Mr. Gould has observed that the black and yellowish varieties +are sometimes found together in the same litter. There is an +intermediate variety, blackish, with olive tips to the hairs. Dr. +Shaw's specific name should be retained.</p> + +<p>Number 18. Phascogale affinis, Gray.</p> + +<p>Above brown, grizelled with yellowish-brown tips to the hairs; +beneath grey brown; under fur lead colour; tail short. Male +darker; length of body and head 6 1/2; tail 4 1/2. Female, length +of the body and head 4 1/2; tail 2 3/4 inches. Inhabits Tasman's +Peninsula, Mr. Gould.</p> + +<p>This may be the same as P. minima of Geoffroy, but the tail is +longer for its size.</p> + +<p>Number 19. Phascogale rufogaster, Gray.</p> + +<p>Head grey; back and sides brown, with longer black hairs; +sides of the belly and feet bright rufous; lips and chin whitish; +under fur lead colour; tail end blackish-brown, slightly +pencilled. Body and head, 4; tail, 2 inches. Inhabits South +Australia, Mr. Gould.</p> + +<p>Number 22. Phascogale leucogaster, Gray.</p> + +<p>Head and shoulders grey, behind rather browner, with scattered +longer black-tipped hairs; chin and beneath pure white; feet +brownish grey. Body and head, 4; tail, 2 1/2 inches.</p> + +<p>Inhabits Western Australia, banks of the Canning River, April +1839, Mr. Gould.</p> + +<p>More specimens and further observations may prove these to be +only local varieties of one species; but the specimens we have +from the same localities are similar in character, which is not +the case with the different specimens of Hepoona.</p> + +<p>Number 26. Perameles fasciata, Gray.</p> + +<p>Grey brown, rump with three black bands; tail white, with a +black streak along the upper side. Inhabits Liverpool Plains and +South Australia; smaller than P. gunnii.</p> + +<p>Number 28. Perameles fusciventer, Gray.</p> + +<p>Brown, yellow grizelled; tail above blackish, beneath grey; +head short, conical; belly grey brown, with broad rufous +channelled hairs. This species is like P. obesula in colour, but +the head is shorter, and the belly of that species is white, with +white bristles.</p> + +<p>Number 37. Dromicia nana.</p> + +<p>The dentition and the peculiar form and character of the tail +of this species at once point out that it should constitute a +distinct genus from the other Phalangers, from which it differs +in many of its habits.</p> + +<p>Number 38. Hepoona cookii.</p> + +<p>Specimens from the same locality differ from one another in +the extent of the white on the tail, in the darkness of the +colour of the fur, and in the limbs and sides of the body being +of the colour of the back, or more or less rufous. There are +either five or six species, or only one.</p> + +<p>Number 39.</p> + +<p>I have retained the name of Petaurista for the flying +Phalangers with hairy ears, as Dr. Shaw's Didelphis petaurus is +evidently the same as P. flaviventer, and has naked ears, like +the other species, and his name Petaurus should be used rather +than Mr. Waterhouse's Belideus for this genus.</p> + +<p>Number 40.</p> + +<p>Petaurista leucogaster, may only be a variety of P. +taguanoides.</p> + +<p>Number 42. Petaurus macrourus.</p> + +<p>This species is only known from the figures of Dr. Shaw. They +have a specimen of a young Petaurista taguanoides, under this +name, in the Paris Museum.</p> + +<p>Number 43. Petaurus breviceps.</p> + +<p>This is probably the species called P. peronii in Mr. G. +Bennett's catalogue of the Australian Museum. It may also be M. +Desmarest's; if this is so, the latter name will have to be +adopted, and the one first used erased from the list.</p> + +<p>Number 47.</p> + +<p>The Macropi with hairy muffles are found in grassy places, +while the Halmaturi are confined to the scrubs; and the +Petrogalae, or Rock-Kangaroos, to the rocky districts; the +latter, like Bettongia, sit with their tail between the legs. Mr. +Gould informs me the animals of the latter genus also use their +tails for the purpose of carrying the grass to their nests. The +tree Kangaroos of New Guinea have a tail somewhat like a +squirrel. These differences of habit show the propriety of +dividing this group of animals into genera.</p> + +<p>Number 48. Macropus laniger.</p> + +<p>This name must be rejected as the animal is not wool-bearing. +The skin in the Paris Museum is made up with the skin of a sheep. +M. Desmarest's description of the female M. rufogriseus in the +New Dictionary, very nearly agrees with this species, but Mr. +Gould is inclined to consider the specimen he was shown for that +species in the Paris Museum was M. major.</p> + +<p>Number 57. Halmaturus elegans.</p> + +<p>The description of Mr. Lambert is so short that it has +hitherto been considered impossible to determine it with +accuracy; but on comparing the coloured plate which is bound up +with Sir Joseph Banks' copy of the volume of the Transactions +containing the paper, now in the Museum Library, with the +specimens of kangaroos in the Museum collection, I have very +little doubt of its being intended for one which Mr. Gould +considers as identical with M. ruficollis of M. Desmarest. M. +Desmarest's animal is said to come from King's Island, in Bass +Strait, while Mr. Gould's animal, like the one Mr. Lambert +described, is from New South Wales. Mr. Gunn remarks that H. +billardieri is common in the locality indicated by M. +Desmarest.</p> + +<p>Number 67. Petrogale brachyotis.</p> + +<p>This species was discovered by Captain G. Grey, in his +expedition, and the specimens he collected he gave to Mr. Gould, +who described them, and is now about to figure them in his +forthcoming monograph of the species of kangaroos: a work which +will be as far superior to any other published on Mammalia in +beauty of design and accuracy in the execution of the plates as +his work on Birds has been to any that has hitherto appeared +either in England or on the Continent. The specimens are now in +the collection of the British Museum.</p> + +<p>Number 84. Mus lutreola.</p> + +<p>Back black and yellowish grizelled, with longer black hairs; +sides yellowish grey, beneath grey lead colour, under fur lead +colour; ears with scattered short adpressed hairs; whiskers +black; front teeth yellow; tail with short black adpressed +bristles; length of body and head 7, tail 4, hind-feet 1 1-4 +inches. The water-rat of the South Australian Colonist. Inhabits +South Australia, River Torrens, Bass Strait, New South Wales; +Musquito Islands and Macdonald's River, Van Diemen's Land, +Tasman's Peninsula. J. Gould, Esquire.</p> + +<p>Number 85. Mus greyii, Gray.</p> + +<p>Fur brown, with close long slender pale-tipped black hairs; +sides yellowish-brown; throat and beneath yellowish; feet +whiteish; ears nearly naked, with close-pressed short greyish +hairs; tail with close-pressed brown hairs. Variety; belly rather +more greyish-white. Inhabits South Australia, June. Length, body +and head 6, tail 4 3/4, hind-feet 1 1/12 of an inch.</p> + +<p>Number 86. Mus adelaidensis.</p> + +<p>Fur soft, brown, with scattered rather longer black tipped +hairs, beneath pale grey brown; the under fur lead coloured; +whiskers black; ears moderate, covered with short close-pressed +hairs; tail elongate, brown; cutting teeth pale yellow, +compressed; body and head 3, tail 3 inches, hind-feet 8-12. +Inhabits South Australia. J. Gould, Esquire.</p> + +<p>In examining the Geographical distribution of the Genera, as +exhibited in the foregoing table, as far as our present knowledge +of these animals extends we may state that the genera Choeropus, +Acrobates, Petaurista, Lagorchestes, Phascolarctos, Hapalotis, +and Pseudomys, are peculiar to New South Wales. The genus +Petaurus is also found in New South Wales, but not in the Island +of Van Diemen's Land and the rest of the continent, but one of +the species living there is also said to be an inhabitant of +Norfolk Island, where it may probably have been introduced.</p> + +<p>The species of the genera Petrogale and Bettongia are common +to New South Wales, South Australia, and the North-west Coast; +but they are not found in Van Diemen's Land, and the genus +Myrmecobius appears to be peculiar to Western Australia, for it +is not by any means certain that the red shrew-mouse discovered +in Australia Felix by Sir T. Mitchell belongs to this genus.</p> + +<p>The Genera Thylacinus, Diabolus, and Dromicia, are peculiar to +Van Diemen's Land.</p> + +<p>The species of the genera Dasyurus and Perameles are very +abundant in Van Diemen's Land, but they have also representatives +which are found in New Holland.</p> + +<p>The species of the genera Nyctophilus, Phalangista, Hepoona, +Phascogale, Macropus, Halmaturus, Hypsiprymnus, and Hydromys, +appear to be common to all parts of the continent, and also to +Van Diemen's Land.</p> + +<p>The genera Echidna and Ornithorhynchus are found in New +Holland and Van Diemen's Land, but I have not heard of their +having been discovered in the Western or Southern parts of the +continent of Australia.</p> + +<p>There are some of the genera of the non-Marsupial animals, as +Rhinolophus and Pteropus, which are common to various parts of +Australia and the different parts of the Old World, and others, +as Canis, Mus, Scotophilus, and Molossus, which are common to it +and to both Hemispheres. Two Marsupial genera, Halmaturus and +Perameles, have species found in New Guinea, but most probably, +when they have been more carefully examined, they will be found +to form a peculiar genus, allied to the Australian animals, as is +the case with the tree-kangaroos (Dendrolegus) and the Phalangers +(Cuscus) of that country. We have a specimen of the Halmaturus in +the British Museum, from the Leyden collection, but like many of +the specimens in that collection, where the zoological specimens +are made subservient to the anatomical predilections of the +conservator, it has no skull, and false claws, which renders it +impossible for me to define its characters. The tail has rings of +scales under the hair, but this is also the case with most +Halmaturi.</p> + +<p>Before proceeding to the consideration of the distribution of +the species, over the different districts of Australasia, it may +be remarked that this is a subject surrounded with considerable +difficulty, as different naturalists do not always apply the same +test to determine the distinction of the species, some +considering the differences found in the specimens from different +localities, as merely local varieties, and others regarding them +as distinct; and others again declaring that several specimens, +which cabinet naturalists are in the habit of regarding as only +accidental varieties from the examination of the skins, are quite +distinct when they are observed alive in their native habitat. In +the preceding list, when all the specimens I have seen from a +particular habitat have a similar and peculiar character, I have +considered them as species; on the contrary when the specimens +from the same locality offer variations among themselves, as in +those of the genus Hepoona, where the extent of the whiteness on +the tail, and the variation in the colour of the body appear to +differ in the specimens from the same place, I have regarded them +as belonging to the same species, believing it to be a variable +species which has an extensive range.</p> + +<p>From the Table already given it appears that, of the species +found on the Australian Continent, 71 are confined to it, 12 +common to it and Van Diemen's Land, and one common to it and +Norfolk Island; while of the 24 species found on Van Diemen's +Land, 11 are found in it alone.</p> + +<p>The species common to the Australian Continent and Van +Diemen's Land, are:</p> + +<p>2. Nyctophilus geoffroyii.</p> + +<p>4. Scotophilus gouldii.</p> + +<p>5. Scotophilus australis.</p> + +<p>15. Dasyurus viverrinus.</p> + +<p>27. Perameles obesula.</p> + +<p>32. Phalangista vulpina.</p> + +<p>38. Hepoona cookii.</p> + +<p>70. Hypsiprymnus minor.</p> + +<p>81. Hydromys chrysogaster.</p> + +<p>84. Mus lutreola.</p> + +<p>94. Platypus anatinus.</p> + +<p>The species common to Australia and Norfolk Island, but not +found in Van Diemen's Land is:</p> + +<p>44. Petaurus sciureus.</p> + +<p>The eleven species peculiar to Van Diemen's Land, are:</p> + +<p>11. Thylacinus cynocephalus.</p> + +<p>12. Diabolus ursinus.</p> + +<p>13. Dasyurus maculatus.</p> + +<p>17. Phascogale minima.</p> + +<p>18. Phascogale affinis.</p> + +<p>37. Dromicia nana.</p> + +<p>34. Phalangista fuliginosa.</p> + +<p>58. Halmaturus billardieri.</p> + +<p>80. Phascolomys ursina.</p> + +<p>93. Echidna setosa.</p> + +<p>83. Mus setifer.</p> + +<p>The last species is also found in Java, from whence it might +have been introduced. It has been known in Van Diemen's Land some +years, and does not appear to have found its way to +Australia.</p> + +<p>Of the 72 species found in the Australian continent six have +only been recorded as having been found on the North-west +coast:</p> + +<p>52. Macropus unguifer.</p> + +<p>55. Halmaturus bennettii.</p> + +<p>65. Halmaturus fasciatus.</p> + +<p>67. Petrogale brachyotis.</p> + +<p>71. Hypsiprymnus lesueurii.</p> + +<p>Peculiar to the Western Australian district are:</p> + +<p>22. Phascogale leucogaster.</p> + +<p>23. Myrmecobius fasciatus.</p> + +<p>28. Perameles fuscoventer.</p> + +<p>29. Perameles obesula.</p> + +<p>30. Perameles lagotis.</p> + +<p>51. Macropus lunatus.</p> + +<p>54. Halmaturus manicatus.</p> + +<p>60. Halmaturus brevicaudatus.</p> + +<p>69. Petrogale lateralis.</p> + +<p>72. Hypsiprymnus gilbertii.</p> + +<p>72. Bettongia ogilbii.</p> + +<p>91. Hapalotis gouldii.</p> + +<p>To the South Australian district:</p> + +<p>19. Phascogale rufogaster.</p> + +<p>49. Macropus fuliginosus.</p> + +<p>63. Halmaturus derbianus.</p> + +<p>77. Bettongia grayii.</p> + +<p>85. Mus greyii.</p> + +<p>86. Mus adelaidensis.</p> + +<p>To the North Coast:</p> + +<p>7. Molossus australis ?</p> + +<p>In the New South Wales district there have been recorded the +following: some of them may have a larger distribution on the +Continent, when these countries become better known, and some of +them (marked with a star*) are common to this district, and Van +Diemen's Land:</p> + +<p>1. Rhinolophus megaphyllus.</p> + +<p>4.* Scotophilus gouldii.</p> + +<p>6. Scotophilus pumilus.</p> + +<p>8. Pteropus poliocephalus.</p> + +<p>9. Canis familiaris Australis.</p> + +<p>10. Otaria peronii.</p> + +<p>14. Dasyurus geoffroyii.</p> + +<p>15.* Dasyurus viverrinus.</p> + +<p>16. Phascogale penicillata.</p> + +<p>20. Phascogale flavipes.</p> + +<p>21. Phascogale murina.</p> + +<p>25. Myrmecobius ? rufus.</p> + +<p>26.* Perameles fasciatus.</p> + +<p>27.* Perameles nasuta.</p> + +<p>31. Choeropus ecaudatus.</p> + +<p>33. Phalangista xanthopus.</p> + +<p>35. Phalangista canina.</p> + +<p>36. Phalangista cuvieri.</p> + +<p>39. Petaurista taguanoides.</p> + +<p>40. Petaurista leucogaster.</p> + +<p>41. Petaurus macrurus.</p> + +<p>42. Petaurus flaviventer.</p> + +<p>43. Petaurus breviceps.</p> + +<p>44. Petaurus sciureus.</p> + +<p>45. Petaurus peronii.</p> + +<p>46. Acrobates pygmaeus.</p> + +<p>47. Macropus major.</p> + +<p>50. Macropus fraenatus.</p> + +<p>53. Halmaturus parryii.</p> + +<p>57. Halmaturus elegans.</p> + +<p>56. Halmaturus ualabatus.</p> + +<p>59. Halmaturus eugenii.</p> + +<p>61. Halmaturus dorsalis.</p> + +<p>62. Halmaturus parma.</p> + +<p>64 ? Halmaturus banksianus.</p> + +<p>66. Petrogale robusta.</p> + +<p>68. Petrogale penicillata.</p> + +<p>70.* Hypsiprymnus minor.</p> + +<p>73. Lagorchestes leporoides.</p> + +<p>74. Bettongia setosa.</p> + +<p>76. Bettongia whitei.</p> + +<p>78. Bettongia rufescens.</p> + +<p>79. Phascolarctos fuscus.</p> + +<p>82. Pseudomys australis.</p> + +<p>87. Mus platyurus ?</p> + +<p>88. Mus hovellii ?</p> + +<p>89. Hapalotis albipes.</p> + +<p>90. Hapalotis mitchellii.</p> + +<p>92. Echidna aculeata.</p> + +<p>94.* Ornithorhynchus paradoxus.</p> + +<p>Two species are remarkable as being common to the East and +South sides of the Continent, namely:</p> + +<p>48. Macropus laniger.</p> + +<p>84. Mus lutreola.</p> + +<p>26.* P. fasciata.</p> + +<p>The latter is also found in Van Diemen's Land. And the four +following species are common to the South, West, and East sides +of the Continent:</p> + +<p>5. Scotophilus australis.</p> + +<p>32. Phalangista vulpina.</p> + +<p>38. Hepoona cookii, and varieties.</p> + +<p>81. Hydromys chrysogaster.</p> + +<p>These are all also found in Van Diemens' Land, and may +therefore be considered as the most generally distributed of all +the Australian animals. Both the Phalangista and the Hepoona are +very variable in their colours, and may prove to comprise +different species when we are enabled to examine a larger number +of specimens from different localities.</p> + +<hr align="center" width="25%"> +<p><a name="appendixd"></a></p> + +<h3>APPENDIX D.</h3> + +<p>Mr. Gould, who is now engaged in a work upon the Ornithology +of Australia, having been solicited to furnish a list of the +Birds of the Western coast, has kindly forwarded the following +enumeration of the species which have come under his notice as +inhabiting that part of the country. The list, although +necessarily incomplete, is the most perfect that has yet been +published, and will doubtless be of considerable interest to the +scientific as well as the general reader.</p> + +<p>ORDER RAPTORES.</p> + +<p>Aquila fucosa, Cuv.<br> +Buteo melanosternon, Gould.<br> +Haliaeetus canorus, Vig. and Horsf.<br> +Pandion leucocephalus, Gould.<br> +Falco hypoleucos, Gould.<br> +Falco melanogenys, Gould.<br> +Falco frontatus, Gould.<br> +Ieracidea berigora, Gould.<br> +Astur approximans, Vig. and Horsf.<br> +Accipiter torquatus, Vig. and Horsf.<br> +Milvus isurus, Gould.<br> +Elanus axillaris.<br> +Circus affinis? Jard. and Selb.<br> +Nyctale ? Boobook, Gould.<br> +Strix cyclops, Gould.<br> +Strix delicatulus, Gould.</p> + +<p>ORDER INSESSORES, Vig.</p> + +<p>Aegotheles novae-hollandiae, Vig. and Horsf.<br> +Podargus brachypterus, Gould.<br> +Eurostopodus guttatus, Gould.<br> +Halcyon sanctus, Vig. and Horsf.<br> +Merops ornatus, Lath.<br> +Hirundo pacifica ? Lath.<br> +Collocalia ? leucosterna, Gould.<br> +Cotyle pyrrhonota.<br> +Cotyle familiaris, Gould.<br> +Seisura volitans, Vig. and Horsf.<br> +Microeca assimilis, Gould.<br> +Rhipidura albiscapa, Gould.<br> +Rhipidura isura, Gould. (North-West Coast.)<br> +Piezorhynchus nitidus, Gould. (North-West Coast.)<br> +Ceblepyris humeralis, Gould.<br> +Graucalus melanops, Vig. and Horsf.<br> +Artamus albovittatus, Vieill.<br> +Artamus personatus, Gould.<br> +Artamus cinereus, Vieill.<br> +Artamus leucorhynchus, Vieill.<br> +Falcunculus leucogaster, Gould.<br> +Cracticus destructor.<br> +Cracticus argenteus, Gould.<br> +Gymnorhina tibicen ? G.R. Gray.<br> +Strepera tibicen ?<br> +Eopsaltria griseogularis, Gould.<br> +Colluricincla rufiventris, Gould.<br> +Colluricincla brunnea, Gould. (North-West Coast.)<br> +Oreoica gutturalis, Gould.<br> +Pachycephala gutturalis, Vig. and Horsf.<br> +Pachycephala pectoralis, Vig. and Horsf.<br> +Dasyornis longirostris, Gould.<br> +Salicaria ? longirostris ?<br> +Petroica multicolor, Swains.<br> +Petroica goodenovii, Jard. and Selb.<br> +Petroica bicolor, Swains.<br> +Zosterops chloronotus, Gould.<br> +Ephthianura albifrons, Gould.<br> +Acanthiza chrysorrhoea, Gould.<br> +Acanthiza inornata, Gould.<br> +Acanthiza (Like A. diemenensis, Gould.)<br> +Pyrrholaemus brunneus, Gould.<br> +Gerygone brevirostris, Gould.*<br> +Gerygone culicivorus, Gould.*</p> + +<blockquote>(* These birds have been characterised by me under +the generic name of Psilopus; but that term having been +previously employed in Entomology I propose to alter it to +Gerygone.)</blockquote> + +<p>Sericornis frontalis ? Gould.<br> +Malurus elegans, Gould.<br> +Malurus lamberti, Vig. and Horsf. (North-West Coast.)<br> +Malurus splendens, Gould.<br> +Stipiturus malachurus, Less.<br> +Calamanthus campestris, Gould.<br> +Cinclorhamphus cruralis, Gould.<br> +Cinclorhamphus rufescens, Gould.<br> +Anthus australis ? Vig. and Horsf.<br> +Pardalotus ornatus, Temm.<br> +Pardalotus punctatus, Vieill.<br> +Cinclosoma castanotus, Gould.<br> +Dicaeum atrogaster, Less.<br> +Amadina ? acuticauda, Gould. (North-West Coast.)<br> +Amadina ? pectoralis, Gould. (North-West Coast.)<br> +Estrilda bella.<br> +Estrilda ? annulosa, Gould. (North-West Coast.)<br> +Grallina melanoleuca, Vieill.<br> +Climacteris rufa, Gould.<br> +Sittella melanocephala, Gould.<br> +Chalcites lucidus, Less.<br> +Cuculus cinereus, Vig. and Horsf.<br> +Cuculus inornatus, Vig. and Horsf.<br> +Eudynamys Orientalis ? Vig. and Horsf. (North-West Coast.)<br> +Centropus affinis, Gould.<br> +Platycercus zonarius, Wagl.<br> +Platycercus icterotis, Wagl.<br> +Platycercus pileatus, Vig.<br> +Polytelis melanura, Wagl.<br> +Nymphicus novae-hollandiae, Wagl.<br> +Pezoporus formosus, Ill.<br> +Euphema elegans, Gould.<br> +Euphema splendida, Gould.<br> +Euphema petrophila, Gould.<br> +Trichoglossus porphyrocephalus, Diet.<br> +Plyctolophus leadbeateri, Vig.<br> +Plyctolophus galeritus, Vieill.<br> +Licmetis pastinator, Gould.<br> +Calyptorhynchus naso, Gould.<br> +Calyptorhynchus baudinii, Vig.<br> +Anthochaera lewinii, Vig. and Horsf.<br> +Anthochaera lunulata, Gould.<br> +Myzantha obscura, Gould.<br> +Meliphaga mystacalis, Gould.<br> +Meliphaga novae-hollandiae ? Vig. and Horsf.<br> +Ptilotis ornata, Gould.<br> +Ptilotis leucotis, Swains.<br> +Ptilotis plumula, Gould.<br> +Ptilotis sonora, Gould.<br> +Glyciphila ocularis ? Gould.<br> +Glyciphila albifrons, Gould.<br> +Haematops lunulatus ? Gould.<br> +Acanthorhynchus superciliosus, Gould.<br> +Myzomela nigra, Gould.</p> + +<p>ORDER RASORES.</p> + +<p>Turtur spilonota.<br> +Peristera chalcoptera, Swains.<br> +Peristera scripta.<br> +Petrophassa albipennis, Gould. (North-West Coast.)<br> +Coturnix australis, Temm.<br> +Turnix* varius, Vieill.<br> +Turnix velox, Gould.<br> +Turnix castanotus, Gould.</p> + +<blockquote>(*The term Turnix having been published long prior to +that of Hemipodius it must necessarily be employed in preference +to the latter; the Australian species of this form will therefore +stand as:<br> +Turnix varius, Vieill.<br> +Turnix melanogaster, Gould.<br> +Turnix castanotus, Gould.<br> +Turnix velox, Gould.<br> +Turnix pyrrhothorax, Gould.<br> +Turnix melanotus, Gould.)</blockquote> + +<p>Leipoa ocellata, Gould.</p> + +<p>ORDER GRALLATORES.</p> + +<p>Otis australasianus, Gould.<br> +Dromaius novae-hollandiae, Vieill.<br> +OEdicnemus novae-hollandiae, Lath.<br> +Charadrius virginianus, Borkh.<br> +Squatarola helvetica ? Cuv.<br> +AEgialitis nigrifrons, Gould.<br> +AEgialitis ruficapillus.<br> +Himantopus leucocephalus, Gould.<br> +Chladorhynchus pectoralis, G.R. Gray.<br> +Vanellus ? pectoralis.<br> +Erythrogonys cinctus, Gould.<br> +Strepsilas collaris, Temm.<br> +Pelidna australis, Jard.<br> +Limosa australis, Briss.<br> +Totanus stagnatilis ? Bechst.<br> +Haematopus picatus ?<br> +Haematopus niger ?<br> +Numenius australasianus, Gould.<br> +Recurvirostra rubricollis, Temm.<br> +Porphyrio bellus, Gould.<br> +Tribonyx ventralis, Gould.<br> +Fulica novae-hollandiae, Gould.<br> +Rallus phillipensis, Linn.<br> +Zapornia phillipensis ?<br> +Botauras stellaris ? Steph.<br> +Nycticorax caledonicus, Less.<br> +Ardea novae-hollandiae, Lath.</p> + +<p>ORDER NATATORES.</p> + +<p>Larus leucomelas, Vieill.<br> +Xema jamesonii.<br> +Sterna poliocerca, Gould.<br> +Sterna caspia ? Pall.<br> +Sterna caspia ? (like minuta).<br> +Sterna dougallii, Mont.<br> +Diomedea exulans, Linn.<br> +Diomedea melanophrys, Temm.<br> +Diomedea chlororhyncha, Gmel.<br> +Diomedea fuliginosa, Gmel.<br> +Procellaria gigantea, Auct.<br> +Puffinus brevicaudus, Gould.<br> +Puffinus chlorhynchus, Less.<br> +Cygnus atratus, Linn.<br> +Anser atratus ?<br> +Casarka tadornoides, Eyton.<br> +Malacorhynchus membranaceus, Swains.<br> +Nyroca australis, Gould.<br> +Anas novae-hollandiae, Steph.<br> +Anas naevosa, Gould.<br> +Mareca castanea, Eyton.<br> +Rhynchaspis rhyncotis, Steph.<br> +Biziura lobata, G.R. Gray.<br> +Oxyura australis, Gould.<br> +Podiceps cristatus, Lath.<br> +Podiceps gularis, Gould.<br> +Podiceps poliocephalus ? Jard. and Selb.<br> +Pelecanus spectabilis, Temm.<br> +Phalacrocorax Carbo? Cuv.<br> +Phalacrocorax pica.<br> +Phalacrocorax melanoleucus, Vieill.<br> +Spheniscus minor.</p> + +<hr align="center" width="25%"> +<p><a name="appendixe"></a></p> + +<h3>APPENDIX E.</h3> + +<p>A Catalogue of the Species of Reptiles and Amphibia hitherto +described as inhabiting Australia, with a description of some New +Species from Western Australia, and some remarks on their +geographical distribution, by JOHN EDWARD GRAY, F.R.S. etc. etc. +in a note to the author.</p> + +<p>Order 1. SAURI.</p> + +<p>Family MONITORIDAE.</p> + +<p>1. Odatria punctata, Gray Annals of Natural History 1 394.<br> +Grey olive, with narrow black reticulated lines, leaving large +hexagonal spots. Head, limbs, and tail blackish, with a few pale +spots.<br> +Inhabits Western Australia.</p> + +<p>2. Hydrosaurus varius, Gray Annals of Natural History 1 +394.<br> +Uaranus varius, Merrem. Gray King's Voyage 2 427.<br> +Lacerta varia, Shaw. White Journal New South Wales 246 t. 3. f 2. +Shaw N. Misc. t. 83.<br> +Tupinambis variegatus, Dauden.<br> +Inhabits New Holland.</p> + +<p>3. Hydrosaurus gouldii, Gray Annals of Natural History 1 +394.<br> +With two yellow streaks on the side of the neck. Scales over the +orbits small, flat.<br> +Inhabits Australia.</p> + +<p>4. Uaranus bellii, Dumeril and Bibron Erp. Gen. 3 493 t. 35 f. +1.<br> +Inhabits New Holland, T. Bell, Esquire.</p> + +<p>Family SCINCIDAE.</p> + +<p>5. Trachysaurus rugosus, Gray King's Voyage 2 421. Annals of +Natural History 2 288.<br> +T. peronii, Wagler Icon t. 36.<br> +Scincus pachyurus, Peron. manuscript.<br> +Stump-tailed Goanna, Colonist's.<br> +Inhabits Western Australia, Perth.</p> + +<p>6. Trachysaurus typicus.<br> +Brachydactylus typicus, A. Smith South African Journal 1.<br> +Inhabits Western Australia, Perth.</p> + +<p>7. Egernia cunninghami, Gray Annals of Natural History 2 +288.<br> +Tiliqua cunninghami, Gray Proceedings of the Zoological +Society.<br> +Inhabits New Holland, Liverpool Plains.</p> + +<p>8. Tiliqua whitei, Gray Annals of Natural History 2 288.<br> +Tiliqua tuberculata, Gray King's Voyage 2 429.<br> +Lacerta scincoides. Shaw Zool t. 81.<br> +Scincus gigas, Bodd. S. crotaphomelas, Lacep. A. Museum H. N. 4 +192. S. tuberculatus, Merrem. 73.<br> +Cyclodus flavigularis, Wagler Icon t. 6.<br> +Inhabits New Holland; Java ?</p> + +<p>9. Tiliqua casuarinae.<br> +Cyclodus casuarinae, Dumeril and Bibron Erp. Gen. 5 749.<br> +Inhabits "New Holland," Dumeril.</p> + +<p>10. Tiliqua nigrolutea, Gray Annals of Natural History 2 +290.<br> +Scincus nigroluteus, Quoy and Gaim. Voyage Uran t. 41.<br> +Cyclodus nigroluteus, Wagler Syst. 162.<br> +Inhabits New Holland.</p> + +<p>11. Tiliqua trivittata ? Gray Syn. Griffith A. K. 68. Illust. +Ind. Zool t. Annals of Natural History 2 289.<br> +Scincus ocellatus, and S. leuerinensis, Peron. manuscript. S. +Whitei, Lacep. Ann. Museum H. N. 4 192. S. taeniolatus and S. +quadrilineatus, Merrem. S. moniliger, Valenc. Museum Paris.<br> +Inhabits New Holland, Peron. India.</p> + +<p>12. Tiliqua taeniolata, Gray Annals of Natural History 2 +289.<br> +Lacerta taeniolata, Shaw Zool. 3 239. White Journal t. 32.<br> +Scincus undecimstriatus, Kuhl Beytr. S. octolineatus, Daud. S. a +dix raies, Lacep. A. mus. H. N. 4 192.<br> +S. multilineatus, Lesson Voyage Coq. t. 3 f. 2.<br> +Inhabits New Holland, Sydney.</p> + +<p>13. Tiliqua labillardieri, Gray Annals of Natural History 2 +289.<br> +Scincus labillardieri, Cocteau British Museum.<br> +Lygosoma labillardieri, Dumeril and Bibron Erp. Gen. 5 731.<br> +Inhabits New Holland, Islands of Waigiou and Rawack.</p> + +<p>14. Tiliqua napoleonis, Gray Annals of Natural History 2 +290.<br> +Scincus napoleonis, Cuv. British Museum. S. trifasciatus, +Peron.<br> +Tropidolepisma dumerilii, var. c. Dumeril and Bibron Erp. Gen. 5 +745.<br> +Psammite de Napoleon, Coct.<br> +Inhabits "New Holland."</p> + +<p>15. Tiliqua kingii, Gray Annals of Natural History 2 290.<br> +Scincus nicittensis, Peron manuscript.<br> +Psammite de Dumeril, Coct. Tab.<br> +Tropidolepisma dumerilii beta, Dumeril and Bibron Erp. Gen. 5 +745.<br> +Inhabits New Holland, British Museum.</p> + +<p>16. Tiliqua aterrima.<br> +Scincus aterrimus, Peron.<br> +Tropidolepisma dumerilii alpha, Dumeril and Bibron Erp. Gen. 5 +745 t. 50.<br> +Inhabits New Holland.</p> + +<p>17. Tiliqua tenuis, Gray Griffith A.K. 71. Annals of Natural +History 2 291.<br> +Scincus erucotis, Peron manuscripts.<br> +Lygosoma erucata, Dumeril and Bibron Erp. Gen. 5 726.<br> +Inhabits New Holland, British Museum.</p> + +<p>18. Tiliqua stoddardtii, Gray Annals of Natural History 2 +291.<br> +<br> +Inhabits New Holland, Museum Chatham.</p> + +<p>19. Tiliqua vachelli, Gray Annals of Natural History 2 +291.<br> +Inhabits New Holland, Museum Chatham.</p> + +<p>20. Tiliqua leucopsis, Gray Annals of Natural History 2 +291.<br> +Inhabits New Holland, Museum Chatham.</p> + +<p>21. Tiliqua australis, Gray Annals of Natural History 2 +291.<br> +Inhabits New Holland, British Museum.</p> + +<p>22. Tiliqua buchananii, Gray Annals of Natural History 2 +291.<br> +Inhabits New Holland. British Museum.</p> + +<p>23. Tiliqua trilineata, Gray Annals of Natural History 2 +291.<br> +Inhabits New Holland, British Museum.</p> + +<p>24. Tiliqua duperreyii, Gray Annals of Natural History 2 +292.<br> +Scincus duperreyii, Cocteau.<br> +Lygosoma duperreyii, Dumeril and Bibron Erp. Gen. 5 715.<br> +Inhabits South Australia, Kangaroo Island.</p> + +<p>25. Tiliqua entrecasteaux, Gray Annals of Natural History 2 +292.?<br> +Scincus entrecasteaux, Cocteau.<br> +Lygosoma entrecasteaux, Dumeril and Bibron Erp. Gen. 5 717.<br> +Tiliqua reevesii, Gray Annals of Natural History 1 292 ?<br> +Scinque a flanc noir, Quoy and Gaim. Voyage Uranie Zool. t. 42 f. +1 ?<br> +Lygosoma quoyii, Dumeril and Bibron Erp. Gen. 5 728.<br> +Inhabits New Holland. Var. beta China.</p> + +<p>26. Tiliqua lesueurii.<br> +Lygosoma lesueurii, Dumeril and Bibron Erp. Gen. 5 733.<br> +Inhabits New Holland.</p> + +<p>27. Tiliqua guichenoti.<br> +Lygosoma guichenoti, Dumeril and Bibron Erp. Gen. 5 713.<br> +Inhabits New Holland.</p> + +<p>28. Tiliqua bougainvilii, Coct.<br> +Lygosoma bougainvillii, Dumeril and Bibron Erp. Gen. 5 716.<br> +Inhabits New Holland.</p> + +<p>29. Tiliqua naevia.<br> +Scincus naevius, Peron. S. melanopogon, Muller. S. erythrolaemus, +Muller. Museum Leyd.<br> +Lygosoma melanopogon, Dumeril and Bibron Erp. Gen. 5 723.<br> +Inhabits New Holland, New Guinea, and Timor.</p> + +<p>30. Riopa bougainvillii, Gray Annals of Natural History 2 +332.<br> +Scincus bougainvillii, Cocteau.<br> +Inhabits New Holland.</p> + +<p>31. Lygosoma australis, Gray Annals of Natural History 2 +332.<br> +Inhabits New Holland, Museum Chatham.</p> + +<p>32. Chiamela duvaucellii, Gray Annals of Natural History 2 +333.<br> +Scincus duvaucellii, Cocteau. Museum Paris. fide Bibron. Museum +British.<br> +Inhabits Australia, King George's Sound, Museum Paris.</p> + +<p>33. Tetradactylus decresiensis, Peron. Cuv. Gray Annals of +Natural History 2 233. Dumeril and Bibron Erp. Gen. 5 764.<br> +Inhabits Australia, King George's Sound, Kangaroo Island.</p> + +<p>34. Tridactylus decresiensis, Peron. Gray Annals of Natural +History 2 333.<br> +Hemiergis decresiensis, Dumeril and Bibron Erp. Gen. 766.<br> +Zignis decresiensis, Fitz.<br> +Inhabits Australia, Kangaroo Island.</p> + +<p>35. Ronia catenulata, t. 4 f. 1. Gray Annals of Natural +History 1841.<br> +Inhabits Western Australia.</p> + +<p>Family GYMNOPHTHALMIDAE.</p> + +<p>36. Cryptoblepharis poecilopleurus, Gray Annals of Natural +History 1 335.<br> +Ablepharis poecilopleurus, Weigm. N. Act. Nat. Cuv. 17 183 t. 8 +f. 1. A. peronii, Dumeril and Bibron Erp. Gen. 813. A. +leschenaultii, Coct. Mag. Zool t. 1.<br> +Crypt. peronii, Coct. Etudes, t.<br> +Scincus boutonii, Desjard.<br> +S. arenarius and S. furcatus, Museum Leyd.<br> +Inhabits New Holland, Java, and Isle of France.</p> + +<p>37. Cryptoblepharis lineo-ocellatus.<br> +Ablepharis lineo-ocellatus, Dumeril and Bibron Erp. Gen. 5 +817.<br> +Inhabits New Holland, Museum Paris.</p> + +<p>Family LIALISIDAE.</p> + +<p>38. Lialis burtonii, t. 3 f. 1 t. 5 f. 4. Gray Proceedings of +the Zoological Society 1834 134. Dumeril and Bibron Erp. Gen. 5 +831.<br> +Inhabits Australia, Western Australia.</p> + +<p>Family PYGOPIDAE.</p> + +<p>39. Pygopus lepidopus, Merrem Syn. 77.<br> +Bipes lepidopode, Lacep. Ann. Museum H. N. 4 193, 209 t. 55 f. +1.<br> +Sheltopusik novae hollandiae, Oppell.<br> +Hysteropus lepidopus, Boug.<br> +H. novae hollandiae, Dumeril and Bibron Erp. Gen. 5 832.<br> +Inhabits New Holland.<br> +There are sometimes some scales between the anterior frontal +plates.</p> + +<p>40. Delma fraseri, t. 4 f. 3 Gray Zool. Misc.<br> +Inhabits New Holland, Liverpool Plains ? Western Australia, J. +Gould.</p> + +<p>Family RHODONIDAE.</p> + +<p>41. Rhodona punctata, Gray Annals of Natural History 2 +335.<br> +Brachystopus lineato-punctatus, A. Smith manuscript ? Dumeril and +Bibron Erp. Gen. 5 779.<br> +Inhabits New Holland, South Africa, Dumeril !</p> + +<p>42. Soridia lineata, t. 3 f. 2 Gray Annals of Natural History +2 335.<br> +Prepaeditus lineatus, Dumeril and Bibron 5 788.<br> +Inhabits Australia, Western Australia, J. Gould, common.</p> + +<p>43. Chelomeles quadrilineatus, Dumeril and Bibron Erp. Gen. 5 +774.<br> +Inhabits New Holland, Museum Paris.</p> + +<p>Family APRASIADAE.</p> + +<p>44. Aprasia pulchella, t. 4 f. 2 Gray Annals of Natural +History 2 331.<br> +Inhabits Western Australia.</p> + +<p>Family GECKOTIDAE.</p> + +<p>45. Platydactylus ornatus, Gray.<br> +Phelsuma ornata, Gray King's Voyage 2 428.<br> +Inhabits New Holland.</p> + +<p>46. Phyllodactylus strophurus, Dumeril and Bibron Erp. Gen. 3 +397 t. 32 f. 1.<br> +Inhabits West Coast of Australia, Shark Bay, Quoy and +Gaimard.</p> + +<p>47. Phyllodactylus porphyreus, Dumeril and Bibron Erp. Gen. 3 +393.<br> +Gecko porphyreus, Daud.<br> +Sphaerodactylus porphyreus, Wagler.<br> +Inhabits New Holland.</p> + +<p>48. Phyllodactylus lesueurii, Dumeril and Bibron Erp. Gen. 3 +392.<br> +Inhabits New Holland and New Guinea.</p> + +<p>49. Diplodactylus vittatus, Gray Proceedings of the Zoological +Society 1832 40.<br> +Phyllodactylus vittatus, Dumeril and Bibron Erp. Gen. 3 400.<br> +Inhabits New Holland, Liverpool Plains.</p> + +<p>50. Peropus variegatus.<br> +Hemidactylus variegatus, Dumeril and Bibron Erp. Gen. 3 353.<br> +Inhabits West Coast of Australia, Shark Bay, and Van Diemen's +Land.</p> + +<p>51. Phyllurus platurus, Cuv. R. A. 2 58. P. cuvieri, Borg.<br> +Lacerta platura, Shaw. White Journal New South Wales 246 t. 3 f. +2. L. discosura, Lacep.<br> +Stellio phyllurus, Schneider. S. platurus, Daud.<br> +Gecko platicaudus, Schinz.<br> +Agama platyura and A. discosura, Merrem.<br> +Gymnodactylus platurus, Wagler.<br> +G. phyllurus, Dumeril and Bibron Erp. Gen. 3 428.<br> +Cyrtodactylus platurus, Gray.<br> +Inhabits New Holland.</p> + +<p>52. Phyllurus miliusii, Bory St. Vincent Dict. Class H. N. 7 +183 t.<br> +Cyrtodactylus miliusii, Gray.<br> +Gymnodactylus miliusii, Dumeril and Bibron Erp. Gen. 3 450 t. 33 +f. 1.<br> +Inhabits New Holland, Museum Paris.</p> + +<p>Family AGAMIDAE.</p> + +<p>53. Chlamydosaurtis kingii, Gray King's Voyage Australia 2 424 +t. Dumeril and Bibron Erp. Gen. 4 441 t. 45. Inhabits West Coast +of Australia, Careening Bay, A. Cunningham, Esquire, Port Nelson. +Captain Grey sent a fine specimen of this species to the Museum +during his travels.</p> + +<p>54. Lophura lesueurii, Gray Syn. Griffith A. K. 60.<br> +Istiurus lesueurii, Dumeril and Bibron Erp. Gen. 4.<br> +Inhabits Australia, New Holland.</p> + +<p>55. Grammatophora barbata, Kaup Isis. Gray. Dumeril and Bibron +?<br> +Agama barbata, Cuv. R. A. 2 35.<br> +Inhabits New Holland.</p> + +<p>56. Grammatophora muricata, Kaup Isis 1827 621. Gray. Dumeril +and Bibron.<br> +Lacerta muricata, Shaw Zool. 3 t. 63 f. 1.<br> +Agama muricata, Daud. A. jacksoniensis, Kuhl. Guerin Icon t. 3 +f.<br> +Amphibolus muricatus, Wiegmann.<br> +Inhabits New Holland.<br> +Var. 1 diemenensis, Gray Annals of Natural History 1840.<br> +Inhabits Van Diemen's Land.<br> +Var. 2 adelaidensis. Gray Annals of Natural History 1840.<br> +Inhabits Western Australia, Adelaide.</p> + +<p>57. Grammatophora gaimardii, Dumeril and Bibron Erp. Gen. 4 +470.<br> +Inhabits West Coast of Australia, Shark Bay.</p> + +<p>58. Grammatophora decresii, Dumeril and Bibron Erp. Gen. 4 +472.<br> +Inhabits Australia, Kangaroo Island.<br> +Var. 1. Inhabits Western Australia.</p> + +<p>59. Grammatophora cristata, Gray Annals of Natural History +1840.<br> +Inhabits Western Australia, J. Gould.</p> + +<p>60. Moloch horridus, t. 2. Gray Annals of Natural History +1841.<br> +Inhabits Western Australia, Captain G. Grey. J. Gould.</p> + +<p>61. Uromastix griseus, Cuv. R. A. 2 34.<br> +Inhabits "New Holland." Peron.<br> +It is very probable that this species was established on a +variety or discoloured specimen of U. hardwickii, and it is very +doubtful if it is a native of New Holland.</p> + +<p>Family CHAMAELEONIDAE.</p> + +<p>62. Chamaeleo bifurcus, Brongn. Bull. Soc. Philom. number 36 +f. 2. Dumeril and Bibron Erp. Gen. 3 233 t. 27 f. 3.<br> +Cham. bifidus, Latr.<br> +Inhabits "New Holland."<br> +Messieurs Dumeril and Bibron, in the work cited, state that this +species is found in New Holland, but I believe this is a mistake, +as I have neither seen nor heard of any species of this genus +being found in Australia.</p> + +<p>Order 2. OPHIDII.</p> + +<p>Family VIPERIDAE.</p> + +<p>63. Acanthophis palpebrosa. A. cerastinus, Lacep. Ann. Museum +4 100. Guerin Icon. t. 24 f. 2.<br> +A. brownii, Leach Zool. Misc. 1 t. 3.<br> +Boa palpebrosa, Shaw Zool. 3 362.<br> +Ophryas acanthophis, Merrem. 147.<br> +Schlingende Natter, Merrem Beytr. 2 t. 3.<br> +Vipera acanthophis, Schlegel. 2 605 t. 21 f. 21, 22, 23.<br> +Inhabits New Holland.</p> + +<p>Family COLUBRIDAE.</p> + +<p>64. Tropidonotus mairii, Gray.<br> +Inhabits New Holland, Dr. Mair, 39th Regiment Museum Chatham.</p> + +<p>65. Leptophis punctulatus, Gray, King's Voyage 2 432.<br> +Inhabits Careening Bay, James Hunter, Esquire.</p> + +<p>66. Leptophis spilotus, Gray, King's Voyage 2 433.<br> +Inhabits Australia Cape, P.P. King, R.N.</p> + +<p>67. Naja custa, Schlegel Phy. Serp. 2 486.<br> +Inhabits Australia, King George's Sound, Museum Paris.</p> + +<p>68. Naja bungaroides, Schlegel Phys. Serp. 2 477.<br> +Inhabits New Holland, Port Jackson, and India, Museum Paris.<br> +Var. 1. New Holland. Dr. Mair.</p> + +<p>69. Trimesurus leptocephalus, Lacep. Ann. Museum 4 196 t. 56 +f. 1.<br> +Crimson-sided Snake, Coluber porphyraicus, Shaw Zool. t. 110. New +Holland, t. 10.<br> +Hurria porphyraica, Merrem.<br> +Boa laevis, Lacep. Ann. Museum 4 195.<br> +Duberia porphyriaca, Fitz.<br> +Acanthophis tortor, Lesson Voyage t. 6. Guerin Icon. t. 24 f. +1.<br> +Pseudechis porphyriacus, Wagler.<br> +Alecto, Wagler.<br> +Oplocephalus, Cuv. R. Anim. 2 94.<br> +Naja porphyraica, Schlegel. 1 181 2 479 t. 17 f. 6, 7.<br> +Inhabits New Holland, Sidney.</p> + +<p>70. Trimesurus olivaceus, Gray.<br> +Inhabits New Holland, Dr. Mair.</p> + +<p>71. Calimaria diadema, 65 f. 3. Schlegel Phys. Serp. 1 131 2 +32.<br> +Inhabits Australia, New Holland, Quoy and Dr. Mair.<br> +Western Australia, Mr. Gould.</p> + +<p>72. Calimaria annulata, Gray.<br> +Snake, n. 2. White Journal Appendix 259 t. f. 2.<br> +Inhabits New Holland, Dr. Lewis.</p> + +<p>73. Tortrix pseudo-eryx, Schlegel Phys. Serp. 1 128 2 19.<br> +Inhabits New Holland, Port Jackson, Peron.</p> + +<p>74. Tortrix australis, Gray.<br> +Inhabits New Holland, Museum Chatham, n. 68.</p> + +<p>75. Elaps psammophis, Schlegel Phys. Serp. 1 182 2 454.<br> +Inhabits New Holland.</p> + +<p>76. Elaps coronatus, Schlegel Phys. Serp. 1 184 2 454.<br> +Inhabits New Holland.</p> + +<p>77. Elaps gouldii, t. 5 f. 1. Gray Annals of Natural History +1841.<br> +Inhabits Western Australia.</p> + +<p>78. Elaps ? lewisii, Gray.<br> +Inhabits New Holland, Dr. Lewis.</p> + +<p>Family BOIDAE.</p> + +<p>79. Python spilotes.<br> +P. punctatus, Merrem Tent. 150.<br> +P. peronii, Cuv. R. A. Wagner, Icon. t. 1.<br> +Coluber spilotes, Lacep. Ann. Museum 4 195.<br> +Echidna spilotes, Merrem.<br> +Australian Snake, Shaw's Zool. 505.<br> +Snake, n. 1. and 5. White Voyage Appendix 159 t. f. 5 and t. f. +1.<br> +Inhabits New Holland, White. King George's Sound, Quoy.</p> + +<p>Family HYDRIDAE.</p> + +<p>80. Aspisurus laticaudatus.<br> +Coluber laticaudatus, Linn. Museum Ad. t. 16 f. 1.<br> +Platura fasciata, Latreille.<br> +Pl. semi-fasciata, Reinw.<br> +Laticauda imbricata, Laur.<br> +Aspisurus laevis, Lacep. Ann. Museum 4 197 t. 56 f. 3.<br> +Hydrus colubrinus, Schlegel Phys. Serp. 514 t. 18 f. 18 to +22.<br> +Inhabits New Holland.</p> + +<p>81. Pelamis bicolor, Daud.<br> +Anguis platura, Linn. S. N. 391.<br> +Hydrophis platura, Latr.<br> +Hydrus bicolor, Schneider.<br> +Inhabits New Holland. Port Jackson, Forster.</p> + +<p>82. Disteria doliata, Lacep. Ann. Museum 4 199 t. 57. f. +2.<br> +Hydrophis schistosus, Daud. Schlegel Phys. Serp. 500.<br> +Inhabits New Holland.</p> + +<p>Order 3. CHELONIA.<br> +Family CHELYDAE.</p> + +<p>83. Platemys macquaria, Dumeril and Bibron Erp. Gen. 2 +458.<br> +Hydraspis macquaria, Gray Syn. Rept. 1 40.<br> +Emys macquaria, Cuv. R. Anim. 2 11.<br> +Inhabits New Holland ?</p> + +<p>84. Hydraspis australis, t. 6. new species.<br> +Inhabits.</p> + +<p>85. Chelodina longicollis, Gray Syn. Rep. 39. C. novae +hollandae, Dumeril and Bibron Erp. Gen. 2 445 t. 21 f. 2.<br> +Testudo longicollis, Shaw Gen. Zool. 3 62 t. 16. Zool. New Hol. 1 +19 t. 7.<br> +Emys longicollis, Schw. Prod. 1 309, 433.<br> +Hydraspis longicollis. Bell Zool. Journal 3 512.<br> +Inhabits New Holland, Sydney.</p> + +<p>86. Chelodina oblonga, t. 7 new species.<br> +Inhabits Western Australia.</p> + +<p>Family CHELONIADAE.</p> + +<p>87. Chelonia caretta.<br> +Testudo caretta, Solander manuscript Banks Icon. ined. in British +Museum n. 41, 42, 43.<br> +Inhabits Sea. Latitude 37 South, December 23 1768. Captain +Cook.</p> + +<p>88. Chelonia imbricata.<br> +Inhabits Sea, New Holland, New Guinea.</p> + +<p>89. Chelonia mydas.<br> +Testudo mydas, Solander manuscript. Banks Icon. ined. in British +Museum n. 39, 40.<br> +Inhabits New Holland, Endeavour River, Cook's Voyage.</p> + +<p>Order EMYDOSAURI.</p> + +<p>Family CROCODILIDAE.</p> + +<p>90. Crocodilus vulgaris, Cuv. Ann. Mus. 10 40 t. 1 f. 5 12 t. +2 f. 7.<br> +Inhabits New Holland, Mouth of Endeavour River, Captain Cook.</p> + +<p>Class AMPHIBIA.</p> + +<p>Family RANIDAE.</p> + +<p>91. Cystignathus peronii, Dumeril and Bibron Erp. Gen. 8 +409.<br> +Inhabits New Holland ? Peron.</p> + +<p>92. Cystignathus dorsalis, Gray Annals of Natural History +1841.<br> +Inhabits Western Australia.</p> + +<p>93. Crinia georgiana, Tschudi, 2 78.<br> +Cystignathus georgianus, Dumeril and Bibron Erp. Gen. 8 416.<br> +Inhabits Australia, King George's Sound.</p> + +<p>94. Heleioporus albopunctatus, tab. 1 f. 2 Gray Annals of +Natural History 1841.<br> +Inhabits Western Australia.</p> + +<p>Family HYLIDAE.</p> + +<p>95. Litoria freycinetii, Dumeril and Bibron Erp. Gen. 8 504 t. +88 f. 2.<br> +Inhabits New Holland, Port Jackson.</p> + +<p>90. Hyla peronii, Dumeril and Bibron Erp. Gen. 8 569.<br> +Dendrohyas peronii, Tschudi, 75.<br> +Inhabits New Holland, Peron.</p> + +<p>97. Hyla coerulea.<br> +Hyla cyanea, Daud. Schlegel. Dum.<br> +Blue Frog, White Journal Appendix 248.<br> +Rana australasiae, Schneider.<br> +R. coerulea, Shaw Gen. Zool. 3 113. Daud. Mer.<br> +Calamites cyanea, Fitz. Tschudi.<br> +Calamites coerulea, Wagler.<br> +Inhabits New Holland, New Guinea, Timor.</p> + +<p>98. Hyla jervisiensis, Dumeril and Bibron Erp. Gen. 8 580.<br> +Inhabits New Holland, Jervis Bay.</p> + +<p>99. Hyla lesueurii, Dumeril and Bibron Erp. Gen. 8 595. H. +oculata, Peron manuscript.<br> +Inhabits New Holland, Port Jackson.</p> + +<p>100. Hyla ewingii, Dumeril and Bibron Erp. Gen. 8 597.<br> +Inhabits Van Diemen's Land.</p> + +<p>101. Hyla citropa, Peron and Lesueur. Dumeril and Bibron Erp. +Gen. 8 600.<br> +Dendrohyas citropa, Tschudi, 75.<br> +Inhabits New Holland, Port Jackson.</p> + +<p>102. Hyla aurea.<br> +Rana aurea, Lesson Voyage Coq. t. 7 f. 2.<br> +Hyla jacksoniensis, Dumeril and Bibron Erp. Gen. 8 602.<br> +Ranoidea jacksoniensis, Tschudi.<br> +Inhabits New Holland, Port Jackson.</p> + +<p>103. Hyla adelaidensis, t. 8 f. 2. Gray Annals of Natural +History 1841.<br> +Inhabits Western Australia.</p> + +<p>104. Hyla bioculata, t. 8 f. 1. Gray Annals of Natural History +1841.<br> +Inhabits Western Australia.</p> + +<p>105. Uperoleja marmorata, Gray Annals of Natural History +1841.<br> +Inhabits Western Australia.</p> + +<p>Family BUFONIDAE.</p> + +<p>106. Phreniscus australis, Dumeril and Bibron Erp. Gen. 8 +725.<br> +Bombinator australis, Gray Proceedings of the Zoological +Society.<br> +Inhabits New Holland.</p> + +<p>107. Breviceps gouldii; Gray Annals of Natural History +1841.<br> +Breviceps heliogabali, Gray, tab. 1 f. 1.<br> +Inhabits Western Australia.</p> + +<center> +<p><a name="grey2-10"></a><img alt="" src="images/grey2-10.jpg"></p> + +<p><b>10.1. Ronia catenulata (Gray).<br> +10.2. Aprasia pulchella (Gray).<br> +10.3. Delma fraseri (Gray).</b></p> +</center> + +<center> +<p><a name="grey2-11"></a><img alt="" src="images/grey2-11.jpg"></p> + +<p><b>11.1. Lialis burtonii (Gray).<br> +11.2. Soridia lineata (Gray).</b></p> +</center> + +<p>I have been induced to add to the foregoing list the following +observations on the more obscure and hitherto unknown genera and +species.</p> + +<p>RONIA, Gray. Head rather shelving, shielded with one +transverse frontal and two large vertebral plates, the hinder +largest; the rostral plates large, with two unequal superciliary +plates. The nasal plate triangular, interposed between the +rostral plate and the frontal ones, with the nostrils in its +centre; loreal plates two, square; labial plates large; ears +none, only a very indistinct sunk dot in their place. Body +cylindrical; tail conical, tapering. Scales smooth, ovate, +imbricate, those of the belly 6-sided. The front limbs very +small, rudimentary, undivided; the hinder limbs moderately +developed, ending in two very unequal toes, with distinct +claws.</p> + +<p>35. Ronia catenulata, Gray, t. 4 f. 1.</p> + +<p>Back grey, with eight series of small black dots, one dot on +the centre of each scale; cheeks black speckled; sides and +beneath whitish.</p> + +<p>Body 3 1/2, tail 2 1/2 inches.</p> + +<p>Inhabits Western Australia. Mr. J. Gould.</p> + +<p>The scales under the tail are rather larger, and the spots on +the tail are also rather larger than those on the back.</p> + +<p>38. Lialis burtonii, t. 3 f. 1. Gray Proceedings of the +Zoological Society 1834 134. Dumeril and Bibron H. R. 831.</p> + +<p>Pale brown, back with three longitudinal brown streaks, each +occupying half of two series of scales; the centre streak divided +into two over the nape and head, uniting together again over the +tip of the nose.</p> + +<p>Inhabits Western Australia. J. Gould.</p> + +<p>Family Pygopidae.</p> + +<p>Head short, with two or three pairs of narrow frontal shields, +similar to, and behind the nasal shield, with two odd large +vertebral shields; nostrils oblong, in the suture between the +outer angle of the nasal shield and the front loreal shields; +ears distinct, tympanum sunk; eyes surrounded with a series of +scales; belly with two or four series of broad 6-sided ventral +shields; tail with three series of broader shields, the central +the broadest; limbs two, rudimentary, undivided, scaly, on the +side of the vent; throat covered with small scales; lower labial +plates large.</p> + +<p>Pygopus. The scales of the back keeled, with a series of +numerous praeanal pores; pupil round; the hinder limbs +elongate.</p> + +<p>Delma. The scales smooth; praeanal pores none; pupil +elliptical, erect; hinder limbs short.</p> + +<p>42. Soridia lineata, t. 3, f. 2.</p> + +<p>M. Bibron in the work quoted observes: La Soridia lineata de +M. Gray n'est pas different d'une espece de Scincoiden du Cap que +nous avons vue dans la collection de M. Smith a Chatham et de +laquelle nous avions pris une description qui s'est +malheureusement egaree. Page 787. And again: Nous croyons que +c'est par erreur que M. Gray a indique cette espece comme +provenant de la Nouvelle Hollande, nous pensons plutot qu'elle +est originaire du Cap, et la meme que celle dont nous parlions +tout a l'heure ou le Scincoidien que d'accord avec le Dr. Smith +nous nous proposions d'appeller Praepeditus lineatus. Page +788.</p> + +<p>I do not know what Dr. Smith's animal may be, but the account +of Praepeditus, given by M. Bibron, is only a translation of my +description of Soridia! It is not probable that this animal +should come both from Australia and the Cape. It is certainly +from New Holland.</p> + +<p>44. APRASIA.</p> + +<p>The head small, shielded; muzzle rounded, rather produced, +with two pairs of large frontal shields, covering the cheeks, a +large six-sided elongated vertebral shield, and a pair of small +superciliar shields; rostral and labial shields large, few; the +nostrils small, in the sutures between the tip of the front upper +labial, and the anterior frontal plates; eyes circular, edged +with a series of small scales; pupil round; ears none; body and +tail cylindrical, tapering, covered with hexangular scales, the +ventral shields rather broader; limbs none.</p> + +<p>By some mistake the slip containing the description of this +genus in my synopsis of the slender-tongued Saurians got into the +wrong place with the Tiliquae instead of being near Anguis.</p> + +<p>56. Grammatophora muricata.</p> + +<p>The young animals have a series of small spines on each side +of the base of the tail, and a series of spots on each side of +the back.</p> + +<p>Mr. Gould has brought home two very distinct local +varieties.</p> + +<p>Var. 1 diemenensis. Young dark-coloured, with vermiculated +marks on the chin, chest, and abdomen. The adult dark, beneath +gray, varied with black spots placed in irregular lines.</p> + +<p>Inhabits Van Diemen's Land.</p> + +<p>Var. 2 adelaidensis. Young pale above and beneath, with three +broad diverging black lines on the chin, leaving an oblong spot +in the centre of the throat, with a broad streak on the chest +separated into three lines on the abdomen, which unite together +again on the pubis. The adult gray, with a few spots beneath.</p> + +<p>58. Grammatophora decresii, Dumeril and Bibron, Erp. Gen. 4 +472. ?</p> + +<p>Tail conical, with nearly regular scales, the base rather +swollen, without any series of spines on the side; the nape and +back with a series of rather larger, low, compressed scales; back +with small sub-equal scales, and a few larger ones in cross +series; side of the head near the ears and side of neck with two +or three ridges crowned with short conical spines. In spirits +black, yellow spotted and varied, beneath gray, vermiculated with +blackish; tail black-ringed.</p> + +<p>Inhabits Western Australia.</p> + +<p>So much smaller than G. muricata that I might have considered +them as young animals if one of them had not had the body filled +with well-formed eggs; and the tail is much shorter in comparison +than even in the young of that species.</p> + +<p>They agree in most points with the description given by +Messieurs Dumeril and Bibron, but not in the colour and in the +size of the tail. The specimens in our collection greatly differ +in their colour, but are all very different from any other +species.</p> + +<p>59. Grammatophora cristata. Nape with a crest of distinct, +rather short, curved, compressed, spinose scales; back and tail +with a series of compressed keeled scales, forming a slight keel; +occiput with separate short strong conical spines: sides of the +neck and back with folds crowned with series of short compressed +scales; base of the tail with some scattered larger scales. In +spirits, dull olive; crown black with large white spots, beneath +black; middle of the belly, and undersides of the base of the +tail white; tail with black rings at the end; feet whitish.</p> + +<p>Inhabits Western Australia. Mr. J. Gould.</p> + +<p>The underside is coloured somewhat like G. maculatus (G. +gaimardii, Dumeril and Bibron) but the sides of the head near the +ears are spinose, and the nape is distinctly crested.</p> + +<p>But as Dumeril and Bibron's species is only described from a +single specimen which is in a bad state, and has lost its +epidermis, and as the description itself, though long, refers +chiefly to parts which do not differ in the species of the genus, +this species may prove not to be different from it.</p> + +<p>These authors, in giving the character of Grammatophora +gaimardii and G. decresii, appears to place great reliance on the +one having tubular and the other non-tubular femoral pores, which +is a fact entirely dependent on the state in which the animal +might be at the time when it was put into the spirits, as I have +verified by comparing numerous specimens of different reptiles +furnished with these pores.</p> + +<p>But in this genus the size of the pores is apparently of less +importance than in many others, for they appear to be quite +invisible in some states of the animal: thus out of many +specimens of G. muricata brought by Mr. Gould from Van Diemen's +Land and Western Australia, eight specimens have no visible +pores; these specimens differ from the others in being of a +rather paler colour beneath. This state of the pores may entirely +depend on the manner in which they were preserved, for all these +specimens had a slit made into their abdomen to admit the +spirits; while in all the specimens in which this care had not +been taken the pores are distinctly seen, sometimes moderately +sized, and at others tubularly produced.</p> + +<center> +<p><a name="grey2-12"></a><img alt="" src="images/grey2-12.jpg"></p> + +<p><b>12. Moloch horridus (Gray).</b></p> +</center> + +<p>60. MOLOCH, Gray.</p> + +<p>Body depressed, covered with irregular, unequal, small, +granular plates, each furnished with a more or less prominent +central spine, and with a series of large, conical, convex, acute +spines; head and limbs covered with similar scales and spines; +head small, with very large spines over each of the eyebrows; +tail with irregular rings of large acute spines; femoral and +subanal pores none; teeth small, subequal; toes 5.5, short, +covered above and below with keeled scales; claws long, +acute.</p> + +<p>The external appearance of this Lizard is the most ferocious +of any that I know, the horns of the head and the numerous spines +on the body giving it a most formidable aspect. The scales of the +back are small and unequal; they gradually increase in size as +they approach the base of the conical spines, which is surrounded +with a ring of larger scales with longer spines; the large spines +are conical; rather compressed, spinulose below, smooth and acute +at the tip, and are usually furnished with a sharp-toothed ridge +on the front edge, and sometimes on both. These spines only +consist of a horny sheath, placed on a fleshy process of the +exact form and appearance of the spines they bear.</p> + +<p>The scales of the underside of the body are of the same form +as those of the back, and are furnished with similar but smaller +and less produced spines. The back of the neck of the two +specimens I have seen is furnished with a large rounded +protuberance like a cherry, covered with large granular spinous +scales, and armed on each side with a large conical spine; but I +do not know if this is common to the species or merely accidental +in these individuals; at any rate it adds considerably to the +singularity of their appearance.</p> + +<p>I have named this genus, from its appearance, after "Moloch, +horrid king."</p> + +<p>60. Moloch horridus, t. 2.</p> + +<p>Pale yellow, marked with dark regular spots; sides and beneath +with black-edged dark red similar spots.</p> + +<p>Inhabits Western Australia. The Honourable Captain G. Grey, +and John Gould, Esquire.</p> + +<p>The marks on the body are very definite, but from the +irregularity of their form they are not easily described.</p> + +<p>The lips are dark brown, with two streaks up to the small +spines on the forehead; there is a dark cross-band from the base +of the two large horns over the eyebrows, running behind, and +then dividing into broad streaks, one along each side of the +centre of the back of the neck to between the shoulders, crossing +the nuchal swelling. In the middle of the back there is a very +large black patch nearly extending from side to side, and over +the loins are two oblong longitudinal black spots; the dark lines +commencing from the lower angle of each eye extend along the +upper part of each side to the upper part of the groin; the front +of the fore- and hind-legs, and the sides are marked with similar +dark bands.</p> + +<p>A dark band commences from the hinder part of the lower lip, +merging in the throat, and expanding out so as to be united +together at the back part of the chin. There is a large rather +oblong spot in the centre of the chest and the hinder part of the +abdomen, separated from each other by a large somewhat triangular +spot on each side of the middle of the abdomen.</p> + +<p>Body 4 1/2 inches.</p> + +<p>This is the Spinous Lizard exhibited by Mr. Gould at the +meeting of the Zoological Society in October 1840.</p> + +<p>64. Tropidonotus mairii, Gray.</p> + +<p>Olive, beneath pale olive, vertebral scales darker, slightly +spotted; labial shield pale, dark edged. The dorsal and lateral +scales keeled, placed in longitudinal series; the keels +continued, equal; chin shields two pairs, long; throat scaly on +the sides, shielded in the middle; loreal shields equal; one high +anterior, and three small posterior ocular shields; temples +shielded; nostrils in the suture between the scales; the anterior +frontal narrow, moderate; eyes large, convex, pupil round.</p> + +<p>Inhabits New Holland, Dr. Mair, 39th Regiment.</p> + +<p>White, in the Appendix to his Journal, mentions and figures +two snakes (n. 1 and 2 page 258) but his descriptions are so +short, and his figures so indistinct, compared with what are now +required to determine the species of snakes, that I am unable to +apply them with certainty to any of the species here +recorded.</p> + +<p>68. Naja bungaroides, var.</p> + +<p>Brown. Varied with a few whitish cross bands; last series of +scales and beneath whitish ventral shield black in front; +subcaudal plates, one-rowed; throat scaly; chin shields two +pairs; eyes lateral, pupil round; front pair of frontal plates +short; nostrils lateral, in two small shields, loreal shields +none; one large anterior, and two moderate posterior ocular +shields; lower temporal shield in the labial ones. Scales quite +smooth, broad.</p> + +<p>Inhabits New Holland. Dr. Mair.</p> + +<p>69. Trimesurus leptocephalus.</p> + +<p>Lacepede described this species twice, once as a Boa, and then +as a Trimesurus. Mr. Schlegel observes that there is one of +Baudin's original specimens in the Leyden collection, and that +the scales are not in the least keeled, though Lacepede described +them to be so. Lesson believing it to be an undescribed species +formed for it his genus Acanthophis; Wagler has also formed two +genera for this single species; and Cuvier formed from a variety +of it with subcaudal bands a third genus, under the name of +Oplocephalus.</p> + +<p>70. Trimesurus olivaceus, Gray.</p> + +<p>Olive-green, scales black; head dark with a black streak along +each side, enclosing the eyes and united by a black band across +the nape; lips, and beneath white; lips and chin black dotted, +front of ventral shields blackish, throat scaly, chin shields two +pairs. Under the epidermis bluish green; body elongate, tapering; +tail moderate tapering, subeaudal shields one-rowed, longer +towards the tip; scales all smooth, imbricated, subequal, rather +larger below; head small, rather tapering in front, rounded; eyes +rather small, pupil round, head shields normal; the nostrils +lateral in the suture between two shields, hinder shield +elongate; loreal shields none; one large anterior and two +moderate post-ocular shields; labial shields subequal, lower +temporal inserted.</p> + +<p>Inhabits New Holland. Dr. Mair.</p> + +<p>71. Calamaria diadema, t. 5 f. 3.</p> + +<p>Body cylindrical, scales small; ventral shields brown, +rounded; tail rather short, tapering; subcaudal plates two, +round. Head small, indistinct, moderately long; head shields +normal, first frontal small; nostril lunate, in the middle of a +triangular nasal shield; no loreal; one rather large upper +anterior, two posterior ocular shields, lowest largest; temples +shielded; labial shield moderate. White dorsal scales with a +distinct brown edge; head and nape black, with a broad white +occipital band; beneath white.</p> + +<p>New Holland. Dr. Mair.</p> + +<p>72. Calamaria annulata, Gray. Snake, n. 2. White's Journal +Appendix 259 f. 2.</p> + +<p>White (in spirits) with twenty-eight black rings (twenty-five +on the body and three on the tail;) head with two black bands, +one on the end of the nose and the other with the eyes in front +of it. Tip of the tail black; eyes small, pupil round; nostrils +in the centre of a shield, lateral, erect; loreal shields none; +one anterior oblique, and two small post-ocular shields.</p> + +<p>Inhabits New Holland. Dr. Lewis.</p> + +<p>74. Tortrix australis.</p> + +<p>Pale olive, scales black-edged, on the sides widest; beneath +bluish, with a white edged black band across the end of the +muzzle; a white band before the front and back of the eyes, and a +triangular black spot at the lower hinder angle of the eyes; +pupil round; one large and two posterior ocular shields, no +loreal shields; nostrils lateral, in the suture between the two +nasal shields; scales smooth imbricate, those of the sides +larger, of the tail six-sided.</p> + +<p>77. Elaps gouldii, Gray, t. 5 f. 1.</p> + +<p>Pale yellowish; the scales of the back small, 6-sided, with a +dark anterior margin, giving the back a netted appearance. Top of +the head and nape black, with a yellow spot on the rostral scale +on each side just before the eyes. Head small, the occipital +plates large elongate; the nasal plate triangular; one moderate +anterior, and two subequal posterior ocular shields; six upper +and lower labial shields, the fourth under the eyes; eyes small, +pupil round. There is an indistinct small yellow spot behind the +upper part of the eye; but this may be an accidental variety, as +the spots on the two sides are not equally defined.</p> + +<p>Inhabits Western Australia.</p> + +<p>This species resembles Calamaria diadema, which is also found +in Western Australia, but it is larger, and the head is larger in +comparison with the body, and in this species it is the base of +scales, while in the later it is the outer margin, that is +dark.</p> + +<center> +<p><a name="grey2-13"></a><img alt="" src="images/grey2-13.jpg"></p> + +<p><b>13.1. Elaps gouldii (Gray).<br> +13.2. Elaps coronatus (Schlegel).<br> +13.3. Calamaria diadema (Schlegel).<br> +13.4. Lialis burtonii (Gray).</b></p> +</center> + +<center> +<p><a name="grey2-14"></a><img alt="" src="images/grey2-14.jpg"></p> + +<p><b>14. Hydraspis australis (Gray).</b></p> +</center> + +<center> +<p><a name="grey2-15"></a><img alt="" src="images/grey2-15.jpg"></p> + +<p><b>15. Chelodina oblonga (Gray).</b></p> +</center> + +<p>78. Elaps lewisii, Gray.</p> + +<p>Olive green, submetallic; edge of the scales blackish; upper +lip, chin, and ventral plates greenish-white; head moderate, +elongate, depressed; head shields normal; hinder frontal and +front of superciliary shield expanded on the sides, and bent down +on the cheeks. Nostrils in the suture between the two small nasal +plates. Loreal plates small oblong; one small front and two +smaller posterior oculars. Temples shielded; labial plates +moderate; chin shields two pair; middle of the throat shielded, +sides scaly. Eyes large, pupil rounded; body elongate, +sub-cylindrical, moderately thick, covered with cross bands of +elongated narrow scales. The vertebral series broad, six-sided, +long; of the nape, small, like those on the sides; of the tail, +broader and more uniform; ventral plates distinctly keeled and +erect on the sides. Tail elongate, tapering, with two rows of +shields, keeled on the sides.</p> + +<p>80. Hydrus.</p> + +<p>Captain G. Grey informs me that these snakes coil themselves +upon the shore, living on the seaweed, and that they lay their +eggs on the shore. They are often found asleep upon the sea, when +they are easily caught, as they cannot sink without first +throwing themselves on the back, probably to empty their large +vesicular lungs.</p> + +<p>83. Platemys macquaria.</p> + +<p>This species was originally indicated by Cuvier, from a single +specimen brought from the Macquarie River by Messieurs Lesson and +Garnot. It has been doubted if it really is an inhabitant of that +country, and might not have been imported from South America, +whence all the other species of the genus come, and sold to the +French collectors for a native species.</p> + +<p>84. Hydraspis australis, t. 6.</p> + +<p>Body ovate, back dark olive, rather convex, rounded on the +middle of the sides, with a narrow reflexed edge, shelving behind +with a broad expanded margin; vertebral shields broad, six-sided, +last subtriangular; beneath rather convex, yellow, shelving on +the sides; the second marginal plate with an angular lobe +produced into the suture between the vertebral and first costal +plates; claws sharp, black; skin of head and limbs smooth.</p> + +<p>Inhabits Western Australia ?</p> + +<p>The back covered with conferva.</p> + +<p>85. Chelodina longicollis.</p> + +<p>Mr. Gould brought two large specimens of this species, which +are much more ovate and convex than Dr. Shaw's specimens. They +are 7 inches long by 6 wide. It may be a particular variety, or +they may become more ovate as they increase in size, The sternal +shields (in specimens preserved in brine) are pale yellow, with +black edges.</p> + +<p>86. Chelodina oblonga, t. 7.</p> + +<p>Shell oblong, rather contracted in front, with a broad +impression on the middle of the back; back olive brown, with +irregular anastomosing lines on the shields; beneath +reddish-yellow. The marginal plates longer than broad, the second +larger than the first and third; and rather angularly produced in +the middle of the inner edge, opposite the suture between the +first dorsal and first costal plate; the sternum high, flat, +strongly and sharply keeled on the sides.</p> + +<p>Inhabits Western Australia.</p> + +<p>This species is at once known from Chelodina longicollis by +the form of its high, flat sternum, which is strongly keeled on +the sides, and by this part being of a uniform reddish colour, +without any dark margin to the plates; the hinder part of the +sternum is only slightly concavely truncated, and not deeply +notched.</p> + +<p>It is also known from that old well-known species by its +oblong depressed form, and by the form of the marginal plates, +and especially from the second and eleventh marginal plates on +each side being placed more forwards, so that the centre of their +inner edge is opposite the suture of the first and last costal +plates with the dorsal ones; instead of their front margin, as is +the case with all the specimens of Chelodina longicollis I have +seen.</p> + +<p>This species grows to a large size. Mr. Gould brought a +specimen which he gave to Mr. Bell, which is 11 inches long, and +the neck is nearly equally long, very thick, and studded with +large warts; the head is broad and depressed, covered with a thin +skin, like a Trionyx, and marked with small thin scales.</p> + +<p>92. Cystignathus dorsalis.</p> + +<p>The palatine teeth in a single large straight line, just +behind the inner nostrils; tongue large, slightly nicked behind, +the tympanum nearly hid under the skin; gray-brown (in spirits) +marbled with dark irregular spots, with a white streak down the +middle of the forehead and front of the back; sides pure white, +spotted and marbled with black; beneath white; toes elongate, +slender, tapering; back part of thighs brown, white speckled.</p> + +<p>Inhabits Western Australia. Mr. Gould.</p> + +<p>This species is very distinct from C. peronii and C. +georgianus, the two Australian species described by Messieurs +Dumeril and Bibron. It agrees with the former in the disposition +of the palatine teeth.</p> + +<center> +<p><a name="grey2-16"></a><img alt="" src="images/grey2-16.jpg"></p> + +<p><b>16.1. Hyla binoculata (Gray).<br> +16.2. Hyla adelaidensis (Gray).</b></p> +</center> + +<p>HELIOPORUS, Gray.</p> + +<p>Head short, swollen; eyes large, convex; palatine teeth in a +straight interrupted ridge between the two internal nostrils; +teeth very small; body swollen; skin of the back minutely +granular, of the belly smooth; legs rather short; toes 4.5, +short, warty beneath, quite free; the hind wrist with a large, +oblong, compressed, internal tubercle; the base of the inner +finger with a conical wart, ending in a small acute bony process; +tongue large, entire behind.</p> + +<p>This genus has many of the characters of Cystignathus, but +differs from it in being warty and swollen, and in having short +toes like a toad.</p> + +<p>94. Helioporus albo punctatus, t. 1 f. 2.</p> + +<p>Lead-coloured (in spirits) with white spots; beneath dirty +white, with some small white warts at the angle of the mouth; +legs smooth.</p> + +<p>Inhabits Western Australia.</p> + +<p>103. Hyla Adelaidensis, Gray, t. 8 f. 2.</p> + +<p>Slender; fore-toes quite free, hinder toes webbed to the last +joint; (in spirits) gray-blue, with a series of small oblong +tubercles; the sides purple-brown with a white streak from the +underside of the eyes to the shoulders; sides of the belly and +region of the vent purplish, with small white spots; the hinder +side of the thighs purple-brown, with three large oblong white +spots; belly and under side of thighs granular; chin white, +brownish dotted; palatine teeth in two roundish groups between +the internal nostrils.</p> + +<p>Inhabits Western Australia.</p> + +<p>104. Hyla binoculata, Gray, t. 8, f. 1.</p> + +<p>Slender; fore-toes quite free; hinder toes webbed to the last +joint. Grayish white (in spirits) with a series of very small, +indistinct, oblong tubercles, with a dark streak from the +nostrils to the shoulder, enclosing the eyes, and a white streak +below it from the underside of the eye; sides purplish, with +small white spots; back of the thighs purple, with two yellow +spots; belly and underside of thighs whitish, granular.</p> + +<p>Var. 1. Back of thighs with one or two additional yellow +spots.</p> + +<p>Var. 2. Back bluish gray; back of the thighs with six or seven +small subequal yellow spots.</p> + +<p>Inhabits Western Australia.</p> + +<p>UPEROLEIA, Gray.</p> + +<p>Head large; palate quite toothless; upper jaw with small close +teeth; tympanum hid under the skin; toes of the fore and hind +feet elongate, slender, quite free; ankle with a roundish +external and a small conical inner tubercle; tongue small, +oblong, roundish, and entire behind.</p> + +<p>This genus is most nearly allied to Leiuperus of Messieurs +Dumeril and Bibron, with which it agrees in having no teeth on +the palate, but it differs from it in the tympanum being quite +hid.</p> + +<p>The internal nostrils are some distance in front of the +cross-ridge on which the palatine teeth are generally placed.</p> + +<p>105. Uperoleia marmorata.</p> + +<p>Black and green marbled, leaving a triangular greenish spot on +the forehead, beneath lead colour.</p> + +<p>Inhabits Western Australia.</p> + +<p>Dr. Tschudi has formed a genus under the name of Crinia, which +appears by his characters to be nearly related to the above; but +Messieurs Dumeril and Bibron (Erp. Gen. 8 416) observe that the +specimens he described have two very small groups of teeth on the +vomer.</p> + +<center> +<p><a name="grey2-17"></a><img alt="" src="images/grey2-17.jpg"></p> + +<p><b>17.1. Breviceps gouldii (Gray).<br> +17.2. Helioporus albo punctatus (Gray).<br> +17.2.a. fore foot.<br> +17.2.b. hind foot.</b></p> +</center> + +<p>107. Breviceps gouldii, t. 1 f. 1.</p> + +<p>Smooth, with a few scattered low tubercles; gray-brown (in +spirits), yellowish beneath.</p> + +<p>Inhabits Western Australia.</p> + +<p>This animal has all the external appearance and character, as +far as they are given in Messieurs Dumeril and Bibron's work, of +the Breviceps gibbosus of the Cape of Good Hope, except that it +has not the yellow dorsal band, and the back is scarcely to be +designated as granular. It is the second species of the genus, +and only the second Toad found in Australia.</p> + +<hr align="center" width="25%"> +<p><a name="appendixf"></a></p> + +<h3>APPENDIX F.</h3> + +<p>Notes on some Insects from King George's Sound, collected and +presented to the British Museum by CAPTAIN GEORGE GREY, by ADAM +WHITE, Esquire, British Museum, in a letter addressed to the +author.</p> + +<p>DEAR SIR,</p> + +<p>Fabricius was the first, or among the earliest, Entomologists +who described the Annulose animals of New Holland, New Zealand, +and the Pacific Islands. At the time he published his Systema +Entomologiae (1775) these parts of the world had been visited by +but few persons, and I believe that all the species he described +as coming from them he found in the collection which was made by +Sir Joseph Banks and Dr. Solander on their well-known voyage with +Captain Cook; that collection was presented to the Linnean +Society of London. Several of the original specimens have been +figured in the works of Olivier and Donovan, and it is perhaps +unnecessary to say that modern Entomologists often refer to these +specimens as the typical examples. As far as I am aware the next +important addition to the Entomology of New Holland was made by +Dr. Schreibers of Vienna,* which was followed by that of Mr. +Marsham.** All the specimens described by these entomologists +were most probably collected by travellers touching only at +certain points on the coast.</p> + +<blockquote>(*Footnote. Linnean Transactions 6 pages 185 to 206, +tab. 19 to 21 1802. Descriptions of some Singular Coleopterous +Insects by Charles Schreibers, M.D., Deputy Professor of Natural +History in the University of Vienna. Lucanus aeneus (Lamprima +Latr.) Scarabaeus proboscideus (Elephastomus Macleay). Cetonia +philipsii (Schizorhina Kirby) Silpha lachrymosa (Ptomaphila +Hope). Clerus fasciculatus. Prionus lepidopterus (Tragocerus +Dejean) Cerambix giraffa (Gnoma) Cer. fichtelii (Enicodes G.R. +Gray) Scarites schroetteri (Hyperion Lap.) all new, and a +singular Brasilian genus, Scarabaeus dytiscoides (near Anamnesis +Vigors and supposed to be the Eucranium arachnoides Dejean Cat. +page 150 ed 1837) are all admirably described and figured +here.)</blockquote> + +<blockquote>(**Footnote. Linnean Transactions 9 pages 283 to 295, +tab. 24 to 25 1808. Description of Notoclea, a new genus of +Coleopterous Insects from New Holland by Thomas Marsham, Esquire. +Tr. L.S. This contains 20 species, some of which however had been +previously described by Olivier under Paropsis, the appellation +now universally applied to this "convex-backed" genus. The +Reverend William Kirby in a note added the more latent +characters.)</blockquote> + +<p>As New Holland became colonized and settlements increased +Entomology was not altogether neglected, for we find a resident, +John W. Lewin, A.L.S., of Paramatta, New South Wales, in 1805, +publishing an elegant and curious quarto volume of plates in +which he describes many species of crepuscular and nocturnal +Lepidoptera, in most cases figuring the insects in all their +stages; it is highly to be regretted that this interesting work +was not continued, and it is to be feared that want of +encouragement alone prevented the industrious and acute author +from persevering in the design of his work, which the title he +gave it* shows he intended to have made of a general nature on +the subject. The accounts of the habits of Cryptophasa and +Agarista are peculiarly interesting, and it is much to be wished +that some of the many entomologists now in New Holland and the +islands of the Pacific Ocean would publish similar notes (however +short) on the habits, etc., of the insects they may find.</p> + +<blockquote>(*Footnote. Prodromus, etc., Natural History of +Lepidopterous Insects of New South Wales, collected, engraved, +and faithfully painted after nature by J.W.L. etc. London 1805 +4to.)</blockquote> + +<p>Dr. Robert Brown, when on Flinders' voyage, collected many +interesting insects which were described by Kirby in the 12th +volume of the Linnean Transactions.* Several specimens were +deposited by this celebrated botanist in the British Museum. We +find Dr. Leach commencing the description of New Holland insects +in his Zoological Miscellany; and Macleay in his Horae +Entomologicae described many curious Lamellicornes. Since that +time the communication with the great South Continent has been so +uninterrupted that collections have been continually coming to +Europe, and scarcely a ship now arrives without some additions +being made to this branch of science.</p> + +<blockquote>(*Footnote. Volume 12 1818 pages 454 to 478. A +description of several new species of Insects collected in New +Holland by Robert Brown, Esquire, F.R.S. etc., by the Reverend W. +Kirby, M.A., F.R.S. etc. 33 species described, 13 figured on tab. +23. Mr. Kirby, in his century of Insects published in the same +volume, described 17 New Holland species, and in the same +celebrated paper founded four new genera upon Australasian +Insects, Adelium, Rhinotia, Eurhinus and Rhinaria. He would have +described other genera but for his fear of interfering with +Germar's labours on the Curculionidae. N.B. Strongylium +chalconotum is from Brazil and not from Australasia as +indicated.)</blockquote> + +<p>The French voyages of discovery under Freycinet,* Duperrey, +D'Urville, and Laplace have contributed very much to extend our +knowledge of the Natural History of the Southern islands, as the +publication of the History of the Voyages of the Uranie, +Coquille, Astrolabe, and Favorite, amply testify; we are more +especially indebted to Admiral D'Urville, who seems to unite the +seemingly incompatible duties of commander of an expedition with +an enthusiastic love of and search after insects. M. +Guerin-Meneville published the Annulose animals of the Voyage de +la Coquille, in which New Holland genera and species take a +prominent place. Dr. Boisduval described those collected on the +expedition of the Astrolabe, he also published the first Fauna +Entomologica of New Holland and the Pacific; in his two volumes +he gives a synoptical description of all the species he met with +in the Parisian collections, indicating also such as he found in +books whether he had seen the specimens or not. More detailed +descriptions are looked for on some future occasion by the +entomologists of this country from the learned and talented +author of so many well-known works.</p> + +<blockquote>(*Footnote. Voyage autour du monde etc. sur les +corvettes de S.M. l'Uranie et la Physicienne 1817 a 1820 Paris +1824 Partie Zoologie. Freycinet's Voyage, but for the lamentable +shipwreck of one of his vessels, would have added much to our +acquaintance with the Natural History of the places visited. +Messrs. Quoy and Gaymard, Medecins de l'expedition, published the +Zoological part of their notes. They refer with regret to the +disastrous accident which deprived them of large collections of +Insects made more particularly in the environs of Port Jackson. +They describe and figure but one insect from New Holland +(Curculio lemniscatus from Shark Bay) a spider from Port Jackson +(Aranea notacautha Quoy, Dolophones notacantha Walckenaer Apt. 1 +383) in which the brown callosities at the end of the cylindrical +abdomen were taken for eyes, a position rectified by Walckenaer +as above and by Kirby in his Bridgewater Treatise where he gives +a copy of the French figure of this singular spider--Two +Crustacea, one (Ocypode convexus) from Dirk Hatterick's and the +other (Pagurus clibanarius) from Shark Bay, are all the Annulose +animals described or figured as coming from New Holland, from the +pitiable circumstance above alluded to.)</blockquote> + +<p>The figures and descriptions of Guerin, though fewer in +number, are more detailed than those of Dr. Boisduval, who was +much limited for space.</p> + +<p>It would take up too much time to give a tithe of the names of +the entomologists who have described New Holland insects* as +nearly every working student of insects abroad and at home has +added to the list.</p> + +<blockquote>(*Footnote. The entomologist who would attempt to do +this must give a Universal Entomological Bibliography, as +scarcely a Journal or volume of Transactions of any Scientific +Society appears without containing fewer or more species from the +great Australasian Continent and its islands.)</blockquote> + +<p>Messieurs Audouin, Blanchard, and Boisduval will shortly +publish descriptions of the insects etc. collected on D'Urville's +last voyage. Latreille, Dejean, Schoenherr, and Klug must be +specially particularized; Gory, Percheron, Chevrolat, Aube, +Serville, Reiche, Spinola, Fischer, and Mannerheim have all more +or less added to our acquaintance with the species. Many New +Holland Arachnida and Pacific Ocean Crustacea have been described +in the well-known works of the Baron Walckenaer and Dr. Milne +Edwards. In this country Kirby, Hope, Curtis, G.R. Gray, +Waterhouse, Shuckard, Newman, and Westwood have been the +principal scientific men who have attended to species of +annulosa. Bennett, Mr. Surgeon Hunter, Darwin and Major Mitchell, +when opportunities offered, collected many species and neglected +not the subject of their habits; the last-mentioned having also +described (specifically) one or two species in his interesting +work. Macleay's Appendix to Captain King's voyage* is universally +known.</p> + +<blockquote>(*Footnote. King (Captain Philip P., R.N., F.R.S. +etc.) Narrative of a Survey of the Intertropical and Western +Coasts of Australia performed between the years 1818 and 1822 2 +volumes London 1827. Appendix Catalogue of Insects collected by +Captain King, R.N., 192 species of Annulosa, 188 Insects, 4 +Arachnida pages 438 to 469; "eighty-one of the species are new." +In this paper Macleay institutes a Curculionidous genus near +Phalidura, which he names Hybauchenia, the type being H. +nodulosa. Carpophagus type C. Banksiae "would probably with +Linnaeus have been a Bruchus." Megamerus "has an affinity to +Sagra, but differs from that genus in having setiform antennae, +porrect mandibles, and securiform palpi, its habit is also +totally different, and more like that of some of those insects +which belong to the heterogeneous magazine called Prionus; it is +undoubtedly the most singular and novel form in Captain King's +collection." Type M. kingii.)</blockquote> + +<p>Curtis and Haliday have published and are engaged in +publishing the description of Annulosa collected by Captain King, +while those collected by Mr. Darwin on the voyage of the Beagle +have been entrusted to Mr. Waterhouse, who has published +descriptions of some in the Entomological Society's Transactions +and in the Annals of Natural History. Hope's papers in the +Zoological Transactions and the Coleopterist's Manual are well +known, as are Mr. Newman's in different Magazines and Annals. We +rejoice to see in a late number of a small periodical sheet +exclusively devoted to Entomology* and edited by this gentleman a +letter from Mr. Davis, containing some interesting information +regarding the insects of Adelaide; and in the same periodical +there are many New Holland insects described. Much may be +expected from Messrs. Macleay and Swainson, both at present in +the South Sea islands, and it is to be hoped that in a short time +the fruits of their researches will be before the public. Mr. +Gould collected many insects on his Ornithological expedition to +New Holland, descriptions of which, from the pen of the Reverend +F.W. Hope, may shortly be looked for.</p> + +<blockquote>(*Footnote. The Entomologist, conducted by Edward +Newman. London Van Voorst in Monthly Numbers.)</blockquote> + +<p>The north-west coast of New Holland has been but little +investigated, and yet in that quarter the late Allan Cunningham +gathered a rich harvest of rare and unknown species; but it would +take too much space to tell what parts have not been searched for +insects, suffice it to say that the Swan River settlement, +Kangaroo and Melville islands, Adelaide, Sydney, and Hobart Town +seem all peculiarly rich in species, and what may we not expect +from New Zealand, from the samples already given of its +entomology by Fabricius and Shuckard, not to mention others who +have described species from that locality.</p> + +<p>We yet hope to see a general work on the subject similar to +the truly national work on the Birds and Kangaroos at present +publishing by Mr. Gould. Mr. G.R. Gray commenced such a work in +quarto, and the beautiful number illustrated by the late Charles +Curtis, containing species of Phasmidae, it is to be hoped will +not be left single.* I have only room to add that, owing to many +other occupations, I can at present give only a very imperfect +list of the species you have presented to the National Museum, +which were all collected by you on the shores of King George's +Sound. A.W.</p> + +<blockquote>(*Footnote. I see in Laporte and Gory's Histoire +Naturelle et Iconographic des Coleopteres, a work on Australian +Insects, by the Reverend Frederick W. Hope, often quoted as +Synopsis of the Insects of New Holland, but this must be +privately printed, as I have never seen it or heard of it +elsewhere.)</blockquote> + +<hr align="center" width="25%"> +<p>COLEOPTERA.</p> + +<p>CARENUM, Bon. Carenum perplexum.</p> + +<p>I think this may be the Scarites cyaneus Fabricius described +from the Banksian Cabinet in 1775 (Systema Entomologiae page 249 +g. 68 sp. 2.) It differs however from his description in the +appendiculated thorax (the sides of which are rounded) being +abruptly cut off behind, and in having the somewhat dilated +margin there, slightly emarginate. The general surface of the +thorax is not so bright in colour as the elytra, it has more of a +purple reflection; a dark greenish hue prevails over the elytra, +the anterior edge of each having, towards the margin, a slight +bend upwards, which forms a kind of tooth, projecting slightly +over the somewhat dilated margin of the elytra, along the margin +of these are at least eight points, at first seemingly impressed, +but when more particularly examined they appear to be raised and +to have an impressed line round each of them. The head is black, +the antennae and palpi piceous, the third joint in the former is +longer than the second or third, the terminal joints are (more +especially) furnished with pitchy hairs. Long. lin. 8.</p> + +<p>Habitat King George's Sound. Captain George Grey.</p> + +<p>The genus Carenum was founded by Fr. A. Bonelli in the second +part of his Observations Entomologiques, read the 3rd May 1813 +and published in the Turin Transactions for 1813,* upon a +specimen contained in the Paris Museum of Natural History, which +he regarded as the Scarites cyaneus of Fabricius figured by +Olivier.</p> + +<blockquote>(*Footnote. Memoires de l'Academie Imp. des Sciences +etc. page 479.)</blockquote> + +<p>Guerin* has shown that the Arnidius marginatus Leach of the +letter-press to the Voyage de l'Astrolabe, page 33, is synonymous +with Carenum cyaneum of Bonelli, as he has seen the two +specimens, the former of which is in Dupont's collection.</p> + +<blockquote>(*Footnote. Crust. Arachn. et Ins. of the voyage of +the Coquille avant-propos page 7.)</blockquote> + +<p>M. Brulle* observes well that the Carenum cyaneum of Bonelli +must be different from the Scarites cyaneus of Fabricius, as both +these authors speak of its being blue (or deep blackish green) +over the whole upper surface, while in the C. cyaneum the blue is +confined to the margin of the elytra; besides Olivier expressly +states that the Scarites cyaneus is smaller than the Scarites +subterraneus, which will not at all suit the original specimen +from which the learned Bonelli derived his generic character. In +the British Museum is the original specimen of Arnidius +marginatus (catalogued by Dr. Leach) presented by J. Huey, +Esquire, and it is very different both in size and in colour from +the descriptions of Fabricius and Olivier, and the figure of the +latter,** all derived from the original specimen formerly +contained in the Banksian collection. Dr. Boisduval's concise +description (op. cit. page 2, page 23) answers the specimen so +named by Leach.</p> + +<blockquote>(*Footnote. Histoire Naturelle des Ins. par Messieurs +Audouin and Brulle 5 page 64.)</blockquote> + +<blockquote>(**Footnote. Coleopt. 3 Number 36 l. 2 f. +17.)</blockquote> + +<p>If the figure of Carenum cyaneum, given by Audonin and Brulle +in their Work (tome 5 plate 2 f. 6) be correctly drawn, it +differs very considerably from Leach's specimens of Arnidius, +which is a broader insect.</p> + +<p>I have not been able to see the original specimen of the +Scarites cyaneus, so that in all probability it has been +destroyed; it is much to be desired that accurate figures and +descriptions were made and published of the original specimens +described by Linnaeus and Fabricius, which exist in the Banksian +and Smithian Cabinets in the possession of the Linnean Society, +as well as those to be found in the Hunterian and British +Museums. The genus Eutoma of Newman* seems to me to be synonymous +with Carenum, but different from Arnidius of Leach.</p> + +<blockquote>(*Footnote. Entomological Magazine 5 page 170 Eu. +tinctilatus.)</blockquote> + +<p>CHLAENIUS, Bon.</p> + +<p>Chlaenius greyianus, new species.</p> + +<p>C. supra laete viridi-smaragdinus, elytris costis tribus, +suturaque elevatis cupreis, laevibus, interstitiis laevibus; +margine utraque linea punctorum impressorum instructa; subtus +piceo-niger, antennis pedibusque piceo-nigris.</p> + +<p>I have named this beautiful species after the Governor of +South Australia; in the system it would come close to the +European Chlaenius quadrisulcatus, Illiger. (Dejean and Boisduval +Iconogr. et Histoire Naturelle des Coleopt. d'Europe 2 page 185 +plate 94 f. 3) which it seems singularly to represent.</p> + +<p>It is however rather a larger insect, and of a brighter green +above than any specimens of the other species which I have seen, +there is less of the coppery tinge about its upper surface. The +thorax is much narrower, the lateral margins can hardly be called +depressed, and they are not at all longitudinally scooped out +there, as they are in the C. quadrisulcatus. The elytra are very +distinctly sinuated towards the extremity, and the three elevated +ribs are smooth and of a coppery bronze colour, with the +intervening spaces smooth (at least not granulated as in the C. +quadrisulcatus) and have two longitudinal lines of impressed +points, one on each side of the smooth interval.</p> + +<p>This short description may suffice to distinguish this +beautiful species.</p> + +<p>Habitat King George's Sound, Captain George Grey. (British +Museum.)</p> + +<p>Staphylinus erythrocephalus, Fabricius.</p> + +<p>Systema Entomologiae 265 to 266 1775 Syst. Eleuth. 2 593 +19.</p> + +<p>Oliv. Ent. 3 Number 42 sp. 9 page 12 plate 2 figure 9.</p> + +<p>Erichs. Genera et species Staphyl. sp. 8 page 351 1840.</p> + +<p>Habitat Australia (King George's Sound) Captain George Grey, +Museum British.</p> + +<p>The specimens brought home by Captain Grey seem to me +identical with the above. Fabricius describes the thorax +(truncated in front and rounded behind) as having the anterior +margin rufous in the middle, it being wholly of a deep shining +black, and as Olivier (l.c.) remarks, the neck or narrowed collar +(qui joint la tete au corcelet) is rufous yellow as is the +squareish transverse head with a black spot on the crown. The +scutellum and elytra are minutely punctured or chagrined, and +hairy (except a small smooth oblong space on the shoulder of the +latter) and are black with a violet tinge; in one specimen the +elytra have scarcely any of the blue tinge, and the spot on the +shoulder is of a ferruginous hue; the wings are violaceous. Dr. +Leach had regarded this as a distinct subgenus, but as the name +he had given it is pre-occupied in Botany, and has not been +published with or without characters, as far as I am aware, I +have not given it.</p> + +<p>CRYPTODUS, Macleay.</p> + +<p>C. variolosus, Burmeister (Westwood Monograph ined.)</p> + +<p>Smaller than Mr. Macleay's species and of a pitchy brown, it +is less depressed; the head is squarer and not so broad, the two +tubercles are more prominent, the mentum is deeply emarginate: +antennae nine-jointed; basal joint dilated, prothorax not so +transverse, much more closely punctured: the elytra are scarcely +dilated behind, shorter, and are covered with exceeding minute +punctures in addition to the larger ones.</p> + +<p>Inhabits King George's Sound, Captain George Grey. (British +Museum.)</p> + +<p>Mr. Westwood informed me that Professor Burmeister had sent +him a description of this species under the above-mentioned name; +the characters are the principal of those which will appear in +Mr. Westwood's elaborate memoir. I had written a description of +this species and assigned a name to it, which however I withdraw. +There are more than two species of this curious genus, first +published in the Horae Entomologicae.</p> + +<p>BRACHYSTERNUS, Guerin. (s.g. Epichrysus.)</p> + +<p>B. ? (E.) Lamprimoides, new species. Illustration 18 Insects +1.</p> + +<p>Viridi aureus, thorace corporeque subtus tomentosis.</p> + +<center> +<p><a name="grey2-18"></a><img alt="" src="images/grey2-18.jpg"></p> + +<p><b>18. INSECTS 1. Brachysternus (E.) lamprimoides.</b></p> +</center> + +<p>Yellowish metallic green, legs darker. The head is somewhat +square, the transverse suture being rather indistinct; the margin +of the clypeus is distinctly reflexed. Antennae dark brown, +ten-jointed; 1st joint longest, thickened at the end, with +ferruginous hairs behind; 2nd rounded, thin; 3rd, 4th, and 5th, +with the separating lines very indistinct, those before the 3 +lamellated joints short, transverse. Maxillary palpi with the +terminal joint dilated, rather blunt at the tip, depressed above, +and hollowed out at its base. Legs rather thick, the outer of the +two tarsal claws of the third pair of legs, cleft at the end, +anterior tibiae externally sub-tridentate. Thorax with the sides +somewhat angulated and narrowly margined, rounded behind, but the +sides of the posterior margin are straight, the surface is +minutely punctured and covered with brown hairs, the sternum of +the mesothorax is without a spine, or projecting angle; elytra in +some specimens of a rich, lively, metallic, yellowish green, in +other coppery green with the suture and margin dark green, the +surface chagreened and punctured. Underside of the body and legs +dark green, the former covered with ash-grey pubescence, or +rather longish soft hairs.</p> + +<p>This insect seems to be one of those links which connect such +genera as Anoplognathus, Amblyterus and Brachysternus, and it is +very difficult to say to which of these genera it is most allied. +Professor Burmeister has begun to eradicate the Phyllophagous +genera of Beetles, and from his deep knowledge of Entomology, and +the particular acquaintance which he has with the principles of +general Zoology, as well as the thorough manner in which he means +to go through all the species, much light may soon be expected to +be thrown on the subject; how true is Darwin's remark, made in +speaking of a somewhat anomalous bird, "this, from its varied +relations, although at present offering only difficulties to the +systematic Naturalist, ultimately may assist in revealing the +grand scheme, common to the present and past ages, on which +organized beings have been created." (Journal and Remarks Voyage +of Beagle 3 page 112.)</p> + +<p>BIPHYLLOCERA, g.n.</p> + +<p>Antennae (seemingly) nine-jointed, the first joint long, much +thickened at the end, and furnished with several stiff hairs, the +five last are lamelliform, the lamellae in the male long, and +pinnated on one side; labium deeply grooved in the middle, +notched at the tip; palpi with the terminal joints longest, +sub-cylindrical; head moderate; clypeus separated by a distinct +line, basal part slightly hollowed out, as is the head between +the eyes; thorax short; elytra elongate, somewhat rounded on the +lateral edge, truncated at the end; legs slender; tibiae of first +pair anteriorly sub-tridentate, tibiae of second and third pairs +with many spines, claws of posterior tarsi entire, joints of +tarsi, slender, elongate.</p> + +<p>In the system this would come at no great distance from the +genus Serica, the compound lamellated joints are, I believe, the +first noticed amongst Phyllophagous Coleoptera.</p> + +<p>Biphyllocera kirbyana, sp. n. Illustration 19 Insects 2 Figure +1 a and b.)</p> + +<p>Piceo-brunnea, subtus piloso-fulvescens, thoracis margine +flavescente, dorso, hirtello; elytris 9 (saltem) lineis +longitudinalibus impressis, interstitiis transverse substriolatis +quasi squamulatis.</p> + +<p>Shining, more especially on the head and clypeus, the crown of +the head very smooth, the space between the eyes with impressed +punctures, the clypeus slightly notched in front; antennae +pale-ferruginous; thorax with short rust-coloured hairs, and the +lateral margin slightly reflexed and paler than the dorsal part, +which is covered with short striolae, giving a squamulate +appearance to it; when narrowly examined, just above the rather +large and bluntish scutellum, there are some distinct scattered +punctures; thorax beneath covered with fulvous hairs.</p> + +<p>Habitat King George's Sound, Captain George Grey.</p> + +<p>There are two more or less injured specimens of this species +in the collection of the British Museum. In the same collection, +from the same locality, are two specimens of what I regarded as +the females of the B. kirbyana; they are larger and of a pale +brown; one of these is figured in the accompanying wood-cut +figure 2. In the lamellae of the antennae of the two specimens +there is considerable difference, so that probably there may be a +second species of Biphyllocera. I have given it the name of B. +fabriciana.</p> + +<center> +<p><a name="grey2-19"></a><img alt="" src="images/grey2-19.jpg"></p> + +<p><b>19.1. INSECTS 2. Biphyllocera kirbyana.<br> +19.2. INSECTS 2. Biphyllocera fabriciana.</b></p> +</center> + +<p>Lamprima micardi, Reiche in Guerin's Rev. Zool. 1841, Number +2, page 51.<br> +Habitat King George's Sound, Captain George Grey.</p> + +<p>Porrostoma rufipenne (Fabricius) Laporte Histoire des Anim. +Art.<br> +Lycus rufipennis, Fabricius Syst. El. 2 page 114 to 120.<br> +Habitat King George's Sound.</p> + +<p>Porrostoma serraticorne (Fabricius) Lap.<br> +Lycus serraticornis, Fabricius Syst. El. 2 3 page 6.<br> +Habitat King George's Sound.</p> + +<p>Saprinus cyaneus (Fabricius) Erichson Uebers. der Hister. in +Klug's Jahrb. d. Insectenk. 1 page 178.<br> +Hister. cyaneus Fabricius Systema Entomologiae page 52 7 3. Syst. +El. 1 86 13. Oliv. Ent. 1 number 8 plate 3 f. 17.<br> +Habitat King George's Sound, Captain George Grey.</p> + +<p>Stigmodera roei, Hope, Synopsis of Austr. Insects page 2 +number 15.<br> +Buprestis dejeaniana, Boisduval Voyage de l'Astrolabe Ent. 2 page +63 plate 6 f. 6.<br> +Stigmodera cancellata, Lap. and Gory (nec Donovan) Histoire +Naturelle etc. des Col. plate 2 f. 6.<br> +Habitat King George's Sound, Capt George Grey.</p> + +<p>Donovan's B. cancellata is surely a distinct species, the +serrated margins of the elytra and other characters would +separate it. I have not seen the work of the Reverend F. Hope, +referred to by Messrs. Gory and Laporte, so that I am not aware +whether the specific name roei or dejeaniana had the priority in +publication.</p> + +<p>Stigmodera iospilota, Hope, var. "Syn. etc." Lap. and Gory, +op. c. plate 7 f. 39. Habitat King George's Sound, Captain George +Grey.</p> + +<p>Diphucrania scabiosa, Gory ? Boisduval Voyage de +l'Astrolabe.<br> +Habitat King George's Sound, Captain George Grey.</p> + +<p>Ptomaphila lacrymosa (Schreiber) Hope. The Coleopterist's +Manual part 3 page 150.</p> + +<p>Silpha lacrymosa, Schreibers Linnean Transactions 6 page 194 +tab. 20 Figure 5.<br> +Habitat King George's Sound, Captain George Grey.</p> + +<p>Belus suturalis, Boisduval Voyage de l'Astrolabe, Ent. 2 page +304 plate 7 Figure 20.<br> +Habitat King George's Sound, Captain George Grey.</p> + +<p>Catasarcus rufipes (Hope) Schoenh. Gen. and Spec. Curc. 5 gen. +109 sp. 2 page 814.<br> +Cneorhinus stigmatipennis, Boisduval Voyage de l'Astrolabe 2 page +349.<br> +Habitat King George's Sound.</p> + +<p>Helaeus echidna, new species. Illustration 20 Insects 3.<br> +H. elytris triseriatim spinosis.</p> + +<p>The dilated sides of thorax meeting in front, and projecting +beyond head, a short spine in the middle near the hind margin. +Elytra with two rows of spines close to the suture, and another +close to the edge, where the dilated part commences: the central +rows of spines are not continued to the tip, the spines being +placed irregularly; they are also much larger than those of the +side row. General surface of thorax and elytra very smooth, +shining, the dilated parts of thorax and elytra with the surface +somewhat undulated.</p> + +<p>Inhabits King George's Sound, Captain Grey.</p> + +<center> +<p><a name="grey2-20"></a><img alt="" src="images/grey2-20.jpg"></p> + +<p><b>20. INSECTS 3. Helaeus echidna.</b></p> +</center> + +<p>EMCEPHALUS, Kirby Zool. Journal 3 page 524.</p> + +<p>Emcephalus (Cilibe) tricostellus, new species.</p> + +<p>Much larger than the E. gibbosus, of a dirty brown, glossed, +and wide margin of elytra flat, the extreme edge somewhat turned +up, the sides of the elytra at base are somewhat straight, but +the edge soon gradually gets rounded off towards tip. Towards the +suture the elytron is raised so as to form a very prominent keel +down the back of elytra; the general surface of the elytra is +somewhat pustulose, and there are three slightly elevated, +longitudinal lines, nearly meeting (but indistinctly) behind on +the convex part of each elytron. The middle of thorax is more +shining than the other parts, and seems to have two impressions +on the back on each side of a longitudinal, elevated dorsal +line.</p> + +<p>King George's Sound, Captain George Grey.</p> + +<p>This species may belong to the genus "Cilibe Kirby," shortly +alluded to by Dr. Boisduval in the Entomological part of the +Voyage of the Astrolabe.</p> + +<p>Hesthesis cingulatus (Kirby) Newman. Annals of Natural History +5 page 17.<br> +Molorchas cingulatus, Kirby, Linnean Transactions 12 page +472.</p> + +<p>Habitat King George's Sound, Captain George Grey.</p> + +<p>Phoracantha semipunctata (Fabricius) Newman, Annals of Natural +History 5 page 19.<br> +Stenocorus semipunctatus, Fabricius Systema Entomologiae 180 8 +Syst. El. 2 306 8. Donovan Epitome etc. figure.</p> + +<p>Habitat King George's Sound, Captain George Grey.</p> + +<p>Hebecerus marginicollis, Dejean.</p> + +<p>Habitat King George's Sound, Captain George Grey.</p> + +<p>Bardistus cibarius, Newman, Entomologist March 1841 Number 5 +page 80. Illustration 21 Insects 4.</p> + +<p>Of a yellowish bay colour, the head, thorax, and basal part of +the three first joints of the antennae darker; the elytra soft, +margined, with three parallel raised lines, not reaching the tip, +the outer is on the side and not so distinct as the other two; +there is also a short one running from the base of the elytron +near the scutellum, and soon forming a margin to the suture. The +antennae are slightly hairy outside. (In the accompanying figure +they are represented much too short.) There are a few short hairs +at the rounded tip of the elytra.</p> + +<center> +<p><a name="grey2-21"></a><img alt="" src="images/grey2-21.jpg"></p> + +<p><b>21. INSECTS 4. Bardistus cibarius.</b></p> +</center> + +<p>Habitat King George's Sound, where it seems to be very +abundant, forming a favourite article of food with the natives +who call it Barde; it is eaten in its imago as well as its larva +and pupa states.</p> + +<p>"It is found in the Xanthorrhoea. The grubs are white, have a +fragrant aromatic flavour, and form a favourite article of food +amongst the natives. They are eaten either raw or roasted, and +frequently form a sort of dessert after native repasts. The +presence of these grubs in a grass-tree is thus ascertained. If +the top of one of these trees is observed to be dead, the natives +give it a few sharp kicks with their feet, when, if it contains +any Barde, it begins to give way; if this takes place, they push +it over, and breaking the tree in pieces with their hammers, +extract the Barde." Captain Grey's manuscript.</p> + +<p>Paropsis, Oliv.</p> + +<p>There are several beautiful species of this genus found at +King George's Sound, where they seem to take the place of the +Tortoise beetles (Cassididae). When alive, they have, like many +of the Cassidae, the most brilliant lustre, their resplendent +colours disappearing soon after death.</p> + +<p>Coccinella tongataboae, Boisduval Voyage de l'Astrolabe Ent. +it. page 595 plate 8 figure 24.</p> + +<p>Habitat King George's Sound, Captain George Grey.</p> + +<hr align="center" width="25%"> +<p>ORTHOPTERA.</p> + +<p>Blatta subverrucosa, new species.</p> + +<p>Apterous, oval; thorax in front semicircular, shrouding the +head; posterior angle sharp, rounded behind, the frontal edge +bent slightly back, and yellowish; the upper surface brown, +rather obscure, the surface irregularly raised, below deep +shining pitchy brown. Abdomen yellowish brown, above sprinkled +with dark brown, the edges of each segment with several small +wart-like prominences; two first segments being also shagreened +at the sides, beneath pitchy brown, segments at the base black +with green reflections; the femora are pitchy brown; the tibiAe +pale yellowish with black spines; the tarsi of a deeper yellow; +head dark brown, the trophi and a narrow line on the cheeks +yellowish; antennae somewhat ferruginous.</p> + +<p>Habitat King George's Sound, Captain George Grey.</p> + +<p>A large apterous species.</p> + +<p>Mantis latistylus, Serville, var. Orthopt. Suites de Buffon +page 179.</p> + +<p>Habitat King George's Sound, Captain George Grey.</p> + +<p>Mantis rubrocoxata, Serville ? Orthopt. page 203.</p> + +<p>Habitat King George's Sound, Captain George Grey.</p> + +<p>Acheta ? marginipennis, new species.</p> + +<p>Thorax black with a yellow line above; head as wide as the +thorax, with a blunted projection in front between the antennae, +which are very long and situated in a groove in front of the +eyes, and have their basal joint very large. No ocelli visible. +Thorax wider than long, somewhat narrower in front than behind. +Hemelytra very transparent, longer than the abdomen, lying flat +upon one another, the outer margin bent down; the horizontal +portion has many irregular nerves; there are two longitudinal +nerves at the angle formed by the bent down outer margin, which +extend from base almost to the tip, the spaces between these +nerves being of a yellowish colour, the general colour greyish, +there are several oblique parallel veins on the bent down margin; +wings very short; posterior legs very long; femora much +thickened, brown, at the base very pale; anal appendages very +long and hairy. Somewhat allied to the Acheta arachnoides of +Westwood, figured in the Naturalist's Library, Introduction to +Entomology, volume 1 plate 6.</p> + +<p>Habitat King George's Sound, Captain George Grey.</p> + +<p>Tympanophora pellucida, new species. Illustration 22 Insects +5.</p> + +<p>Antennae very long, arising from between the eyes, labrum +heart-shaped, eyes very large, prominent; ocelli 3, the first the +largest, situated between the antennae, the two others being +placed on the sides of a slight groove behind them. Prothorax +widest behind, in front not so wide as the head; abdomen small, +two of the segments on the back with projecting knobs; anal +appendages in the male short cylindrical, slightly hooked +inwardly, furnished at the end with two teeth, the surface is +rough with short bristly hairs. The elytra are much longer than +the wing, which again are at least twice the length of the +abdomen; the first and second pair of legs are rather stout, the +tibiae having two rows of strong spines on the underside; the +hind legs are long and slender, the under surface of the tibiae +being but slightly denticulated. The head is green, the front +inclining to yellow, the crown is reddish brown, eyes green, +ocelli yellow, two basal joints of antennae green, the remainder +rust coloured; prothorax green, brown behind, with a broadish +line of same colour down the middle; body rusty green, each +segment with a dusky ring; elytra pale green with few +longitudinal nerves, but many cross ones; wings of a very pale +green; anterior legs of a pale brown, femora of second and third +pair green; the tibiae pale brown, the tarsi and joints +darker.</p> + +<p>Habitat King George's Sound.</p> + +<p>This genus is not far removed from AEcanthus Serville; when +the wings are closed it somewhat resembles a species of the +African genus Pneumora; (the figure should be reversed.)</p> + +<center> +<p><a name="grey2-22"></a><img alt="" src="images/grey2-22.jpg"></p> + +<p><b>22. INSECTS 5. Tympanophora pellucida.</b></p> +</center> + +<p>Saga denticulata, new species.</p> + +<p>Head yellowish green with a brownish tint; the cheeks below +the eyes and an irregular mark above the clypeus brownish in some +specimens; labrum yellow, in some at the base brown; mandibles +pale at base, succeeded by a reddish brown hue, the cutting edges +being black and shining; antennae lower half green, terminal +portion brownish green; prothorax without transverse grooves, the +surface with minute wart-like prominences; elytra (in male) pale +green with darker reticulations, the inner edge with a rosy hue; +abdomen of a dark dull green above, beneath pale; legs green, +changing into yellowish and brownish; the two rows of spines on +the underside of the femora and tibiae short and blackish; anal +appendages in the male knife-shaped, with a broad tooth at base. +The ovipositor of female has the edges quite smooth beneath.</p> + +<p>This species is but half the size of the Saga serrata.</p> + +<p>Inhabits King George's Sound.</p> + +<p>This species belongs to Serville's second division, or may +possibly form a third, as in the males there exist rudiments of +wings. Each of the elytra has a clear space like a tympanum; the +upper part of the prothorax is smooth, the sides and posterior +part are very slightly bent back, the last segment of abdomen +notched at the end.</p> + +<p>Tropinotus cinnamomeus, Serville Orthopt. page 620. Gryllus +australasiae, Leach Zool. Misc. 1 page 56 tab. 24 ?</p> + +<p>Habitat King George's Sound.</p> + +<p>Calliptamus carbonarius, Serville Orthopt. page 691.</p> + +<p>Habitat King George's Sound, Captain George Grey.</p> + +<p>Calliptamus brunneus, new species.</p> + +<p>Head smooth, of a light brown; antennae somewhat red, at the +tip brownish; ocelli yellow; the four facial keels distinct; +thorax light brown behind with foveated impressions, amidst which +arise a few longish prominences, transverse grooves feeble, +dorsal keel very distinct. Elytra longer than the body, slightly +opaque, light brown, with a few indistinct spots; wings scarcely +as long as the elytra, with a greenish hue, except at the tip +which is brownish; abdomen brown, shining, palest beneath, +segments keeled above, posterior tibiae of a bright red, sides at +the base yellowish, spines black, posterior femora with two brown +bands on the upper edge about the middle.</p> + +<p>Inhabits King George's Sound.</p> + +<hr align="center" width="25%"> +<p>HYMENOPTERA.</p> + +<p>ONCORHINUS, Shuckard.</p> + +<p>[Family Thynnidae Shuckard.]</p> + +<p>My reasons for establishing the family Thynnidae I shall +expose in my monograph of that family, which would have been +published ere this but for the difficulty of procuring specimens +for dissection; and as I must for a similar reason defer the +positive character until I publish the synopsis of the whole, I +will give those negative ones which are comprised in the +differences which distinguish it from Scotaena of Klug, and from +which it may be separated by its much swollen and protuberant +clypeus, being considerably less emarginate. Genae scarcely +conspicuous. Antennae longer and more porrect; second submarginal +cell as long as the third; abdomen broader at the base, its +ventral surface concave; hypopygium scarcely carinated laterally, +and pygidium prominent and deeply emarginate, its lateral edges +produced into acute teeth. External differences apparently so +small, and which might elsewhere be deemed inadequate to the +establishment of genera, become important in this remarkable +family, from their being confirmed by the structure of the +trophi, and the strong distinctions exhibited in their females in +every instance that has yet presented itself to me, wherever I +have had the certainty of specific identity in these heterogynous +insects, from the direct observation of my friends in +Australia.</p> + +<p>Oncorhinus xanthospilos, Shuckard.</p> + +<p>Black--clypeus, mandibles, lower portion of face in front of +eyes, a narrow streak above and behind them--anterior margin of +collar, tegulae, tubercles and adjacent part of epimerae--a round +spot on each side of each segment of the abdomen, except the +terminal one--apex of the femora, the tibiae and tarsi, all +yellow; the posterior tibiae being only brown within, and the +extreme apex of the joints of their tarsi also brown.</p> + +<p>Habitat King George's Sound. Length 11 lines, expansion of the +wing 18 lines.</p> + +<p>This is a unique species in the genus as far as I have yet had +the opportunity of ascertaining.</p> + +<p>W.E.S.</p> + +<p>NEUROPTERA.</p> + +<p>Bittacus australis, Klug. Monogr. Panorp. Berlin Transactions +sp. no. 11.</p> + +<p>Habitat King George's Sound.</p> + +<p>HEMIPTERA.</p> + +<p>CHOEROCYDNUS, n.g.</p> + +<p>Head broad, in front somewhat truncated; ocelli wanting; +antennae five-jointed, second joint longest, third, fourth and +fifth, somewhat thickened and nearly equal; beak reaching to base +of last pair of legs, if not beyond; third joint the longest; +thorax in front notched for reception of head, not so wide as the +body; scutellum long and pointed, the line separating it from +hemelytra very indistinct; hemelytra without a membrane at the +end; tibiae very spiny; abdomen broadest behind; tarsi of +fore-legs very feeble, two-jointed, second joint shorter than the +first, and ending in two claws.</p> + +<center> +<p><a name="grey2-23"></a><img alt="" src="images/grey2-23.jpg"></p> + +<p><b>23. INSECTS 6. Choerocydnus foveolatus.</b></p> +</center> + +<p>Choerocydnus foveolatus, new species. Illustration 23 Insects +6.</p> + +<p>Dark pitchy brown; head, thorax, and body margined with hairs; +head above minutely punctured, an elongated space in the middle, +smooth; thorax above minutely punctured with some larger +impressed dots, and irregularly shaped smooth spaces, the +coriaceous part pitted; antennae and tarsi light ferruginous.</p> + +<p>Inhabits King George's Sound.</p> + +<p>LEPIDOPTERA.</p> + +<p>Papilio liris, Godart. Encycl. Meth. 9 Papilio page 72 no. +132. Boisduval Spec. gener. des Lepidopt. 1 page 269 number 92. +De Haan. Bijdr. etc. Verh. Nat. geschied. etc. Zool. Insecta tab. +4 f. 3 page 40.</p> + +<p>It may perhaps be not altogether foreign to the purpose of +this list to say that in the collection of the British Museum +there are two specimens of this species from the North-west coast +of New Holland, where they were collected by the late Mr. Allan +Cunningham. The whole of his collection was bought by Mr. +Children, and many of the rare Lepidoptera in it were named by +Mr. G.R. Gray. Godart's description of the body agrees exactly +with the male in the national collection, les cotes et le bout de +l'abdomen d'un rouge-carmin tendre. Boisduval, in the standard +work above alluded to, says of this species, dessous et extremite +de l'abdomen d'un rouge carmin. FEMELLE SEMBLABLE AU MALE, sur +quatre individus que nous possedons, AUCUN NE VARIE. In one of +the Museum specimens (a female) the abdomen is nearly entirely +black, and the brown in both specimens is of the same rich deep +shade that is found in the Papilio polydorus. The abdomen may +possibly be that of some other species, as the specimen is not in +very good condition. I regard the specimens from the north-west +coast of New Holland as a slight local variety. Godart's +specimens came from the East Indies and Boisduval's from Timor. I +find that Monsieur W. de Haan, in the splendid work published at +Leyden on the Natural History of the Dutch colonies in the East +and West Indies, etc. has described and figured "the female" of +this species with the following note; his specimens were from +Timor-Kupang. On the lower side of both wings there is a carmine +anal spot placed at the end of the yellow band and gradually +running into it, this spot is larger and more deeply coloured in +the male than in the female; in the former it shows itself on the +upper side, along the inner edge, as a small streak which is not +visible in the latter (l.c. page 40). I may add that his figure +of the abdomen is red, and the specimens are larger than those in +the Museum (Bijdragen tot de Kennis der Papilionidea, in the +Verhandel. over de Natuurl. Geschied etc. Zool. No 3 tab. 4 f. 3 +1840.)</p> + +<p>Pieris aganippe (Donovan) Boisduval var. Lepidopt. 1 page 457. +Papilio aganippe Donovan Ins. of New Holland.</p> + +<p>Habitat King George's Sound.</p> + +<p>Hipparchia merope (Fabricius).</p> + +<p>Habitat King George's Sound.</p> + +<p>Hesperia ? Sophia. Illustration 24 Insects 7.</p> + +<p>Above, brownish black; upper wings varied with bluish grey +scales, many near the outer margin arranged into a somewhat +regular series; a transverse, slightly bent, white band runs from +near the outer edge close to the tip, to near the middle of the +wing; wings fringed with greyish and black; under wings brownish +black, with fulvescent orange spots and a band, one small spot +somewhat transverse, near the middle, beneath this a broadish +band extends from the anal margin nearly to the outer side of +wing, which is divided by a brown line, leaving an irregular +squareish spot, attenuated towards the outer margin; on the +margin are three differently-shaped dots beginning from the +internal margin, and in one of the specimens are four slight +lunules, growing fainter as they approach the outer margin. +Beneath, upper wings with two transverse fulvescent orange bands, +one near the centre, the other at the tip, broadest externally, +with three black spots, the outer largest running into it near +the margin, interiorly it is much contracted ending in spots; the +base of the wings is yellowish grey, under wings yellowish grey +at base, otherwise very similarly marked, the outer part of the +orange band having two longitudinal whitish lines on it; antennae +at base fringed with white; club brown. Body above silky +yellowish brown; borders of segments lighter; beneath, greyish +white.</p> + +<center> +<p><a name="grey2-24"></a><img alt="" src="images/grey2-24.jpg"></p> + +<p><b>24. INSECTS 7. Hesperia sophia.</b></p> +</center> + +<p>Inhabits King George's Sound. Capt George Grey.</p> + +<p>This seems to belong to a new genus not far removed from +Castnia or Coronis.</p> + +<p>Hecatesia thyridion, Feisthamel. Illustration 25 Insects +8.</p> + +<center> +<p><a name="grey2-25"></a><img alt="" src="images/grey2-25.jpg"></p> + +<p><b>25. INSECTS 8.1.a. Hecatesia thyridion female.<br> +25. INSECTS 8.1.b. Hecatesia thyridion male upper side.<br> +25. INSECTS 8.1.c. Hecatesia thyridion under.<br> +25. INSECTS 8.1.d. Hecatesia thyridion fenestra in wing of +male.<br> +25. INSECTS 8.2. Hecatesia fenestrata male.</b></p> +</center> + +<p>Lepidopt. Voyage Favorite Supplement plate 5 f. 1 male.</p> + +<p>Female alis longioribus, maculis albis triseriatis alarum +anticarum majoribus, nulla macula diaphana fenestrata ad +costam.</p> + +<p>The genus Hecatesia was founded by Boisduval in 1829,* upon a +singular Zygenidous insect sent to Latreille by Mr. Alexander +Macleay, from New Holland, in some part of which it does not seem +to be uncommon.</p> + +<blockquote>(*Footnote. Essai sur une Monographie des Zygenides +page 11.)</blockquote> + +<p>The species H. fenestrata Boisduval (l.c. page 11 plate 1 f. +2) was brought by Mr. Hunter, Surgeon of Captain King's +expedition, and by him presented to the British Museum. Another +species has been described by the Baron Feisthamel in the voyage +of the Favorite (page 19 plate 5 f. 1) under the name of H. +thyridion.* Of this species there are specimens in the collection +presented to the British Museum, and I take the present +opportunity of describing the female of this species, only +remarking that it wants the fenestrated clear space in the upper +wing.**</p> + +<blockquote>(*Footnote. Lepidopteres nouveau, etc. Supplement a +la Zoologie du voyage autour du monde de la Favorite sous le +commandement de M. Laplace capitaine de Fregate.)</blockquote> + +<blockquote>(**Footnote. At first, from the body being so much +more slender than in the fenestrated specimens, I thought it +might be the male but, on showing the specimen to Mr. Edward +Doubleday, he pronounced it a female.</blockquote> + +<p>The H. thyridion is distinguished from the H. fenestrata by +its larger size, and a third yellowish white interrupted band +close to the base of the first pair of wings; the fenestrated +spot is narrower, more lunated, and is much smaller in proportion +than in the corresponding part in Dr. Boisduval's species. The +body beneath is girded with four yellowish white and black bands, +the black bands are continuous on the sides, while the white pass +on the sides into the deep ochry-yellow of the upper side; the +abdomen has a single row of black spots (at least seven) down the +middle, one at the base of each segment, the two nearest the +thorax have a whitish spot behind them.</p> + +<p>The female of this species brought by Captain Grey has the +upper wings more developed; the three interrupted whitish bands +are composed, at least the two outer, of three spots, larger than +in the female; the little bluish white spots on the deep brown +part of the under side of the lower wing are also nearly +obsolete; the sides of the body are not fringed as in the male; +and the apical tuft is very small indeed.</p> + +<p>The most marked character however is the want of the +fenestrated diaphanous spot in the upper wing, which being a most +prominent characteristic in the examples of this species already +recorded, makes it highly probable that they have all been +females, and that this is the first time that the male has been +alluded to.</p> + +<p>The beautifully striated and waved surface of the glassy spot, +taken in connection with the fact of the noise made by the +insects possessing it, would seem to indicate that the +fenestrated spot must act as a tympanum.</p> + +<p>Cossodes lyonetii, new species. Illustration 26 Insects 9.</p> + +<p>Wings black, with violet, purple, and green reflections; upper +with a longitudinal line, broken by the black of the wing near +the base, the other part extending to the tip of the wing, +sinuated anteriorly, and elbowed posteriorly; near the posterior +margin are two irregular white spots, the upper sub-triangular, +the under squareish; on the apical margin are seven whiteish +spots, the first very minute, the second largest, the others +gradually diminishing towards the long white line where they +terminate. The fringe is black, slightly greyish on the edge; the +underside of the wing is greyish at the base, and on the inner +edge, then violet, the apical portion being of a silky yellowish +brown; the lower wings are purplish violet, the outer margin at +the base is whitish, the fringe is black at the base, at the end +white--the white forming a broader line than the black; beneath +it is violet black, and black with a greenish tinge. The thorax +and body in the specimen described is rubbed; the latter seems to +be blackish green, banded with white. I have seen a species +closely resembling the above in Dr. Boisduval's immense +collection.</p> + +<center> +<p><a name="grey2-26"></a><img alt="" src="images/grey2-26.jpg"></p> + +<p><b>26. INSECTS 9. Cossodes lyonetii.</b></p> +</center> + +<p>Habitat King George's Sound. Captain George Grey.*</p> + +<blockquote>(*Footnote. The Saturnia laplacei, described and +figured by the Baron Feisthamel in his description of the +Lepidoptera collected on the voyage of the Favorite is synonymous +with the Chelepteryx collesi, described by Mr. G.R. Gray in the +First Volume of the Transactions of the Entomological Society of +London page 122.)</blockquote> + +<p>Odonestis elizabetha, new species.</p> + +<p>Antennae, with the pectinations rusty brown, lighter at the +tips, the stem densely covered with white scales, palpi and head +in front deep ferruginous. Thorax thickly clothed with +fawn-coloured hairs; body above, shining ochrey inclined to +orange; short tuft at the end of the body; underside lateritious; +upper surface of first pair of wings fawn, with a reddish hue, +densely covered with hair-like scales, with shorter and somewhat +square scales beneath, the scales over the nervures, being +reddish; an indistinct line of seven obscure spots still more +indistinctly connected by a zigzag reddish line, runs across the +wing nearly parallel to its apical margin, and nearer the tip of +the wing than the middle. (In one of the two specimens this band +of spots is obsolete, or nearly so, as are the reddish coloured +nervures.) Second pair of wings of a blush red, the fringe fawn +coloured; underside of both wings, more of a brick colour than +the upper surface of second pair; the fringes fawn coloured; the +second pair with a very indistinct band, nearly parallel to the +posterior margin; the nerves on the first pair of wings are +lighter than the general ground, on the second pair darker; space +between the first pair of legs densely clothed with long +ferruginous hair; two hind pair of legs with two strong spurs, +one rather shorter than the other; the tibiae have each a tuft of +yellowish white hairs, the legs themselves are covered with short +ferruginous scales or hair, those on the soles of the tarsus +being somewhat ochrey in colour.</p> + +<p>Trichetra isabella. Illustration 27 Insects 10.</p> + +<p>Alis anticis albis, fasciis tribus apiceque nigris, maculis +subocellatis duobus inter fasciam secundam tertiamque, maculis +octo apicalibus; posticis nigris, basi anguste, apiceque +marginali ochraceis. (10 figures 1 and 3)</p> + +<center> +<p><a name="grey2-27"></a><img alt="" src="images/grey2-27.jpg"></p> + +<p><b>27. INSECTS 10. Trichetra isabella male.</b></p> +</center> + +<center> +<p><a name="grey2-28"></a><img alt="" src="images/grey2-28.jpg"></p> + +<p><b>28. INSECTS 11. Trichetra isabella female.</b></p> +</center> + +<p>Antennae destroyed. Triangular tuft between the eyes, reddish +ochre, the sides brown; hairs on thorax white, with a yellowish +tinge. The upper wings have their general surface white, the +margin at the base being ochrey-orange; there are two black +parallel bands suffused towards the outer margin, and in this way +connected; a third somewhat diagonal band is in this manner also +connected with the second; near the margin there is also a +connection between the second and third bands by means of a +brownish band interspersed with white scales, and in this are two +subocellated spots, white, with an ochrey-orange roundish pupil; +the second just in front of the third band white in front, and +ochrey-orange behind; behind the third black band there comes a +narrow band of white scales, with an ochrey-orange spot at the +end near the outer margin. The tip of the wing is (broadly) +velvety brown, with eight marginal whitish spots; the fringe is +mixed with black and ochrey; the ochrey tingeing the posterior +margin of some of the outer spots.</p> + +<p>The under wings are velvety brown; the base being obscurely +ochrey; the yellowish colour running up into brown; the fringe +behind is ochrey.</p> + +<p>The under wings are ochrey at the base; the outer margin of +the first pair being dark brown; the brown of the second pair is +scolloped on the margin as is that of the first. The body above, +on the sides and on the margin beneath, is covered with velvety +black hair; beneath there is a somewhat indistinct longitudinal +brownish band down the middle.</p> + +<p>The hairs on the end of the body are longish, and not in a +dense close effused tuft as in the female; the legs are hairy, +the brushes being black and yellowish white.</p> + +<p>Female: Alis anticis albis fasciis tribus brunneo-nigris apice +brunneo-nigris.</p> + +<p>Maculis 8 (saltem) marginalibus antice albis, postice +ochraceis.</p> + +<p>Alis posticis, basi ochraceis, fascia, apiceque late +brunneo-nigris, margine postico subaurantiaco. Illustration 28 +Insects 11.</p> + +<p>Since the figure of this was drawn from one of the two rather +injured specimens presented by Captain Grey, I have seen another +specimen in finer condition, from which I shall take the more +particular description of the bands on the upper wing.</p> + +<p>The head and thorax are covered with long and close hairs; the +tuft between the eyes being of a brownish ochrey colour; the +sides blackish. The hairs on the fore-part of the thorax are +ochrey-brownish, gradually passing into white on its general +surface, which however has more or less of a yellowish tinge.</p> + +<p>The upper wings are white and covered with longish loose +scales. Near the base is a narrowish transverse dark brown band, +with another considerably before the middle of the wing running +parallel to it; behind the middle there is a third band, the +inner extremity being at the same distance from the second band +as the second is from the first; but it gradually slopes away +towards the outer margin, and is thus nearly parallel to the +posterior margin, which has also a brown band, scolloped behind, +and with at least eight spots on the margin, which is of a +brownish yellow, as in the outer margin.</p> + +<p>The under-wings, from the base to the middle, and (narrowly) +on the outer margin and behind, are brownish ochrey; the other +half of the wing is blackish brown, scolloped behind; and having +an indistinct ochrey band passing transverse through it, which +ochrey band has some darker-coloured scales mixed with it.</p> + +<p>The undersides of both wings differ but little from the upper +sides; the upper pair more especially however have on the basal +and submarginal parts longish ochrey coloured hairs instead of +white scales.</p> + +<p>The body above is, at the base, ochrey; the sides, and two or +three other segments brownish black, darkest just in front of the +large thick-set tuft of brownish orange hairs at the extremity; +beneath, down the middle, is a band of brownish orange, the +segments to the sides of this being black at the base and orange +at the tip; the legs are varied with black and ochrey white.</p> + +<p>This seems congeneric with the Arcturus sparshalli of Mr. +Curtis, described in the 7th volume of the British Entomology, +folio 336, as a British insect; but there seems doubt of the +correctness of this. The name, having been pre-occupied in +Natural History, has been changed by Mr. Westwood to Trichetra, +in page 92 of the Generic Synopsis, appended to his Introduction +to the modern Classification of Insects.</p> + +<p>The Bombyx tristis is figured (figure 2) on the same block +with the T. Nephthis.</p> + +<p>Agagles amicus, new species.</p> + +<p>A new species, at first sight resembling Leptosoma annulatum, +Boisduval (Voyage de l'Astrolabe 1 page 197 plate 5 figure 9) but +differs; the thorax having four longitudinal, narrow, +light-coloured lines, the band across the upper wings is more +continuous, and the circular spot on lower, larger. It is about +the same size, and has the body ringed with black and yellow; the +legs are brown; the femora on underside fringed with whitish +hairs, simply pectinated; many of the pectinations of the +antennae end in a bristle-like hair; palpi somewhat prominent; +last joint pointed.</p> + +<hr align="center" width="25%"> +<p>The illustrative figures were drawn by Mr. B. Waterhouse +Hawkins, and engraved on wood by Mr. Robert Hart, of Gloucester +Street, Queen's Square.</p> + +<p>THE END.</p> + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Journals Of Two Expeditions Of +Discovery In North-West And Western Australia, Vol. 2 (of 2), by George Grey + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK JOURNALS OF TWO EXPEDITIONS *** + +***** This file should be named 16145-h.htm or 16145-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/1/4/16145/ + +Produced by Sue Asscher and Col Choat + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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