JOURNALS

OF

TWO EXPEDITIONS OF DISCOVERY

IN

NORTH-WEST AND WESTERN

AUSTRALIA, DURING THE YEARS 1837, 1838, AND 1839, Under the Authority of Her Majesty's Government. 

DESCRIBING

MANY NEWLY DISCOVERED, IMPORTANT, ANDFERTILE DISTRICTS, WITH

OBSERVATIONS ON THE MORAL AND PHYSICALCONDITION OF THE ABORIGINAL INHABITANTS, ETC. ETC. 

BY GEORGE GREY, ESQUIRE. 

GOVERNOR OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA;

Late Captain of the Eighty-third Regiment. 

. .. 

IN TWO VOLUMES. 

VOLUME 2. 

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LONDON:

T. AND W. BOONE, 29 NEW BOND STREET. 

1841. 

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CONTENTS OF VOLUME 2. 

CHAPTER 1. FROM GANTHEAUME BAY TO THE HUTT RIVER. 

WRECK OF THE SECOND BOAT IN GANTHEAUME BAY. EXPLORE IN ITS VICINITY. ESTUARY AND SCENERY ABOUT IT. PROVISIONS DIVIDED. START FOR PERTH. GEOLOGICAL REMARKS. CROSS A DISTRICT OF RED SANDSTONE. PLAINS ABOUNDING IN THE WARRAN PLANT. SUPERIOR NATIVE PATHS AND WELLS. ESTUARY OF THE HUTT. DESCRIPTION OF THE COUNTRY AND SCENERY. PROGRESS OPPOSED BY NATIVES. THE HUTT RIVER. FIRST HILLS OF THE SOUTHERN IRONSTONE FORMATION. 

CHAPTER 2. FROM THE HUTT RIVER TO WATER PEAK. 

WILD TURKEYS SEEN. DIFFICULTY OF URGING THE PARTY FORWARD. THE BOWES RIVER. NATIVE HUTS. THE VICTORIA RANGE AND DISTRICT. THE BULLER RIVER. THE CHAPMAN RIVER. SEARCH FOR A MISSING MAN. SCENE WITH NATIVES. RETURN OF PARTY FROM SEARCH. THE MAN FOUND. THE GREENOUGH RIVER. CROSS THE HEADS OF TWO BAYS. MORE NATIVE HUTS. AUSTRALIND. THE IRWIN RIVER. SEARCH FOR WATER. WATER PEAK HILL. BENIGHTED IN RETURNING TO THE PARTY. 

CHAPTER 3. FROM WATER PEAK TO GAIRDNER'S RANGE. 

RETURN TO THE PARTY. DESTRUCTION OF USELESS BAGGAGE. CRITICAL SITUATION. DIVIDE THE PARTY, AND PROCEED WITH THE STRONGEST TO PERTH FOR ASSISTANCE. ARRANGEMENTS AT STARTING. THE ARROWSMITH RIVER. NATIVES. MOUNT HORNER. GAIRDNER'S RANGE. GENEROUS CONDUCT OF ONE OF THE MEN. 

CHAPTER 4. FROM GAIRDNER'S RANGE TO PERTH. 

THE HILL RIVER. DISCOVERY OF A NATIVE PROVISION STORE. BARREN COUNTRY. SUFFERINGS FROM THIRST. SMITH'S RIVER. LONG AND UTTER DESTITUTION OF FOOD AND WATER. UNSUCCESSFUL SEARCH FOR WATER WITH KAIBER. HIS TREACHEROUS INTENTIONS. RETURN TO THE MEN. DISTRESSING SYMPTOMS FROM THIRST. LAST EFFORTS. FORTUNATE DISCOVERY OF A MOIST MUD-HOLE. PANGS OF HUNGER. RIVER OF RUNNING WATER. NATIVE SUPERSTITIONS. MISERY FROM RAIN AND COLD. PASS THE MOORE RIVER. JOYFUL INTERVIEW WITH A FRIENDLY TRIBE. NATIVE HOSPITALITY. SUPERSTITIONS OF MY MEN. ARRIVAL AND RECEPTION AT PERTH. 

CHAPTER 5. FROM WATER PEAK TO PERTH. 

(MR. WALKER'S PARTY. )

PARTY SENT IN SEARCH FROM PERTH. RETURN WITH CHARLES WOODS. SECOND PARTY IN SEARCH, UNDER MR. ROE. ARRIVAL OF MR. WALKER AT PERTH. NARRATIVE OF THEIR PROCEEDINGS FROM WATER PEAK. EXTREME DISTRESS FROM HUNGER AND THIRST. DEATH OF MR. SMITH. TIMELY DISCOVERY OF THE REST BY MR. ROE. MR. ROE'S REPORT. 

CHAPTER 6. SUMMARY OF DISCOVERIES. 

RIVERS AND MOUNTAIN RANGES DISCOVERED. DISTRICTS OF BABBAGE AND VICTORIA. MR. MOORE'S VOYAGE TO HOUTMAN'S ABROLHOS AND PORT GREY. DISTRICT TO THE NORTH OF PERTH. 

CHAPTER 7. VOYAGE HOMEWARDS. 

NATURAL HISTORY. 

CHAPTER 8. THE OVERLANDERS. 

CLASS OF PERSONS. THEIR MODE OF LIFE. SUDDEN ACCUMULATION OF WEALTH. EFFECTS OF THEIR ENTERPRISES. MAGNITUDE OF THEIR OPERATIONS. RAPID INCREASE OF WEALTH IN NEW SETTLEMENTS. SPREAD OF STOCK STATIONS. COURSE OF THE OVERLANDERS THROUGH AUSTRALIA. COMMUNICATION BETWEEN SOUTHERN AND WESTERN AUSTRALIA. GENERAL CONSEQUENCES OF THE SPREAD OF COMMERCE AND EMIGRATION. 

THE ABORIGINES. 

CHAPTER 9. NATIVE LANGUAGE. 

RADICALLY THE SAME THROUGHOUT THE CONTINENT. CAUSES OF A CONTRARY OPINION. DIFFERENCE OF DIALECTS. EXAMPLES. CAUSES OF ERROR IN FORMER ENQUIRERS. 

CHAPTER 10. THEIR TRADITIONAL LAWS. 

ERRORS OF THEORETICAL WRITERS REGARDING THE SAVAGE STATE. COMPLEX LAWS OF SAVAGE LIFE. CONSIDERATIONS ON THEIR ORIGIN. 

CHAPTER 11. LAWS OF RELATIONSHIP, MARRIAGE, AND INHERITANCE. 

RELATIONSHIP AND MARRIAGE. DIVISION OF FAMILIES. LAW OF MARRIAGE. COINCIDENT INSTITUTIONS AMONGST THE NORTH AMERICAN INDIANS. ORIGIN OF FAMILY NAMES. SECOND COINCIDENCE. BETROTHMENTS. WIDOWS. OBLIGATIONS OF RELATIONSHIP. DIFFICULTY OF PURSUING THE ENQUIRY. PROPERTY VESTED IN INDIVIDUALS. UNIVERSALITY OF THIS CUSTOM. LINE OF INHERITANCE. CERTAIN LAWS REGARDING FOOD. 

CHAPTER 12. CRIMES AND PUNISHMENTS. 

SUPERSTITIOUS REVENGE OF NATURAL DEATH. MURDER. STEALING A WIFE. BREACH OF MARRIAGE LAWS. IMPLICATION OF A MURDERER'S FAMILY IN HIS CRIME. ORDEAL AND PUNISHMENT FOR OTHER TRANSGRESSIONS. 

CHAPTER 13. SOCIAL CONDITION AND DOMESTIC HABITS. 

POPULATION. TERM OF LIFE. CONDITION OF OLD AGE. AND OF YOUNG WOMEN. AVERAGE PROPORTION OF BIRTHS. IDIOTS AND LUNATICS. INFLUENCE OF POLYGAMY ON SOCIAL HABITS. MODE OF CONVERSATIONAL INTERCOURSE. CONSEQUENCES OF JEALOUSY. DANCES. CEREMONIES ON MEETING. 

CHAPTER 14. FOOD AND HUNTING. 

ERRORS REGARDING SCARCITY OF THEIR FOOD. VARIETIES OF IT IN DIFFERENT LATITUDES. CAUSES OF OCCASIONAL WANT. LIST OF EDIBLE ARTICLES. IMPLEMENTS FOR DESTROYING ANIMALS. CONTENTS OF A NATIVE WOMAN'S BAG. DIFFERENT METHODS OF CATCHING KANGAROOS. COOKING A KANGAROO. METHODS OF TAKING AND COOKING FISH. FEASTING ON A STRANDED WHALE. KILLING WILD DOGS. TURTLE. BIRDS. OPOSSUMS. FROGS. SHELLFISH. GRUBS, AND WALLABIES. EDIBLE ROOTS AND SEEDS. MODE OF COOKING AND PREPARING THEM. FUNGI. GUMS. COMMON RIGHTS IN CERTAIN FOOD. 

CHAPTER 15. SONGS AND POETRY. 

GENERAL PRACTICE OF SINGING. SONG OF AN OLD MAN IN WRATH. POETS. TRADITIONAL SONGS. NATIVE OPINION OF EUROPEAN SINGING. EXAMPLES OF SONGS FOR VARIOUS OCCASIONS. INFLUENCE OF SONGS IN ROUSING THE ANGRY PASSIONS OF THE MEN. 

CHAPTER 16. FUNERAL CEREMONIES, SUPERSTITIONS, AND REMARKABLE CUSTOMS. 

DEATH AND BURIAL OF A NATIVE NEAR PERTH. BURIAL OF A NATIVE IN THE LESCHENAULT DISTRICT. CUSTOM OF LACERATING THEMSELVES, AND WATCHING AMONG THE GRAVES. THE BOYL-YAS OR NATIVE SORCERERS. KAIBER'S ACCOUNT OF THEM. THEIR OPINION OF THE NIGHTMARE. VENERATION FOR CRYSTAL STONES. CIRCUMCISION. OTHER CUSTOMS. 

CHAPTER 17. CHARACTERISTIC ANECDOTES. 

MIAGO'S IMAGINARY SPEECH AS GOVERNOR. WARRUP'S ACCOUNT OF HIS JOURNEY WITH MR. ROE. TRANSACTIONS WITH THE NATIVES IN A CASE OF POTATO STEALING. JUDICIAL CASE OF ASSAULT. 

CHAPTER 18. INFLUENCE OF EUROPEANS ON THE NATIVES. 

CAUSES WHY IT HAS NOT HITHERTO BEEN BENEFICIAL. WRETCHED STATE OF THE NATIVE POPULATION. PREJUDICES AGAINST THEM. EVIL EFFECTS FROM THEIR FEROCIOUS CUSTOMS REMAINING UNCHECKED. PLAN FOR PROMOTING THEIR CIVILIZATION. 

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LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 

1. Native of Western Australia. Captain Grey, delt. G. Foggo, Lithographer. M. And N. Hanhart, LithographicPrinters. 

2. Mount Victoria and Mount Albert. 

3. Glaucus, Sp. 

3a. Janthina. 

4. Cymothoa, Sp. 

5. Stenopteryx, Sp. 

6. Form of basaltic dykes at Gregory's Valley, St. Helena. 

7. Geological Section from Gregory's Valley, St. Helena. 

8. Crossing Cattle over the Murray, near Lake Alexandrina. Drawn on stone by George Barnard from a sketch by G. Hamilton, Esquire. M. And N. Hanhart, Lithographic Printers, 64 Charlotte Street, RathbonePlace. 

9. Basaltic Rocks, Campaspi River, near Port Phillip. Drawn on stone by George Barnard from a sketch by G. Hamilton, Esquire. M. And N. Hanhart, Lithographic Printers, 64 Charlotte Street, RathbonePlace. Published by T. & W. Boone, London. 

REPTILES AND AMPHIBIA. 

10. 1. Ronia catenulata (Gray). 

10. 2. Aprasia pulchella (Gray). 

10. 3. Delma fraseri (Gray). 

11. 1. Lialis burtonii (Gray). 

11. 2. Soridia lineata (Gray). 

12. 1. Moloch horridus (Gray). 

13. 1. Elaps gouldii (Gray). 

13. 2. Elaps coronatus (Schlegel). 

13. 3. Calamaria diadema (Schlegel). 

13. 4. Lialis burtonii (Gray). 

14. Hydraspis australis (Gray). 

15. Chelodina oblonga (Gray). 

16. 1. Hyla binoculata (Gray). 

16. 2. Hyla adelaidensis (Gray). 

17. 1. Breviceps gouldii (Gray). 

17. 2. Helioporus albo punctatus (Gray). 17. 2. A. Fore foot. 17. 2. B. Hind foot. 

INSECTS. 

18. INSECTS 1. Brachysternus (E. ) lamprimoides. 

19. 1. INSECTS 2. Biphyllocera kirbyana. 

19. 2. INSECTS 2. Biphyllocera fabriciana. 

20. INSECTS 3. Helaeus echidna. 

21. INSECTS 4. Bardistus cibarius. 

22. INSECTS 5. Tympanophora pellucida. 

23. INSECTS 6. Choerocydnus foveolatus. 

24. INSECTS 7. Hesperia sophia. 

25. INSECTS 8. 1. A. Hecatesia thyridion female. 

25. INSECTS 8. 1. B. Hecatesia thyridion male upper side. 

25. INSECTS 8. 1. C. Hecatesia thyridion under. 

25. INSECTS 8. 1. D. Hecatesia thyridion fenestra in wing of male. 

25. INSECTS 8. 2. Hecatesia fenestrata male. 

26. INSECTS 9. Cossodes lyonetii. 

27. INSECTS 10. Trichetra isabella male. 

28. INSECTS 11. Trichetra isabella female. 

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APPENDIX. 

A. Genealogical List, to show the manner in which a native family becomesdivided. 

B. Mount Fairfax, the Wizard Hills, and Champion Bay. 

C. Contributions towards the Geographical distribution of the Mammalia ofAustralia, with notes on some recently discovered Species, by J. E. Gray, F. R. S. , etc. Etc. , in a letter addressed to the Author. 

D. A List of the Birds of the Western coast, furnished by Mr. Gould. 

E. A Catalogue of the Species of Reptiles and Amphibia hitherto describedas inhabiting Australia, with a description of some New Species fromWestern Australia, and some remarks on their geographical distribution, by John Edward Gray, F. R. S. , etc. Etc. , in a note to the author. 

F. Notes on some Insects from King George's Sound, collected andpresented to the British Museum, by Captain George Grey, by Adam White, Esquire, British Museum, addressed in a letter to the author. 

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JOURNALS

OF

EXPEDITIONS OF DISCOVERY. 

CHAPTER 1. FROM GANTHEAUME BAY TO THE HUTT RIVER. 

WRECK OF THE SECOND BOAT IN GANTHEAUME BAY. 

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 therest of us lightened her by carrying everything we could on shore, afterwhich we hauled her up. The custom had always been for the other boat tolie off until I made the signal for them to run in, and it accordinglywas now waiting outside the breakers. Her crew had not seen ourmisfortunes owing to the height of the surf, which, when we were underit, shut us out from their view, and now perceiving that we were on shoreand the boat hauled up, they concluded all was right; and notwithstandingI made every possible sign to them not to beach, running as far as Icould venture into the sea and shouting out to them, my voice was drownedby 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 hadbeached, and where it was much less rocky, so that the danger theyincurred in reaching the shore was slight in comparison to ours; yet someof the planks of this boat were split throughout their entire length. 

EXPLORE IN ITS VICINITY. COUNTRY ABOUT GANTHEAUME BAY. GEOLOGICALREMARKS. CROSS A DISTRICT OF RED SANDSTONE. 

Whilst all hands were employed in endeavouring to repair damages Iascended a hill to reconnoitre our present position and found we were ina country of a pleasing and romantic appearance, and although the landwas not good the nature of the soil made me aware that we were mostprobably in the vicinity of a large tract of better quality; indeed thiswas the only part of South-west Australia in which I had met with theancient red sandstone of the north-west coast; immediately behind thesandhills on which I stood was a thick Casuarina scrub which sloped downinto a deep valley, and beyond this rose lofty and fantastic hills. AfterI had for some time looked round on this scene I returned to the partyand received the report of the carpenters, who, having examined theboats, stated their inability to render either of them fit for sea. Tothis I had already made up my mind; and even if the boats had beenuninjured I doubt whether we could ever have got them off again throughthe tremendous surf which was breaking on this part of the shore; whilstto have moved them to any distance would, in our present weak andenfeebled state, have been utterly impossible. 

ESTUARY AND LANDING-PLACE AND SCENERY ABOUT IT. 

No resource was now left to us but to endeavour to reach Perth bywalking; yet when I looked at the sickly faces of some of the party andsaw their wasted forms I much doubted if they retained strength toexecute such a task; but they themselves were in high spirits and talkedof the undertaking as a mere trifle. I gave orders for the necessarypreparations to be made and then started with two or three hands tosearch for water. On reaching the valley I have before mentioned we founda small stream, and following this to the northward for about a mile cameout upon one of the most romantic and picturesque-looking estuaries I hadyet seen: its shores abounded with springs and were bordered by nativepaths, whilst the drooping foliage of several large sorts of Casuarina, the number of wild swans on its placid bosom, and the natives fishing inthe distance, unconscious of our presence, imparted to the whole scene aquiet and a charm which was deeply felt by those who had now for so manydays been either tossed about by the winds and waves or had long beenwandering over barren and inhospitable shores. We did not indeed findmuch good land about this estuary, but there were rich flats upon eachside of it, whilst the nature of the rocks and the lofty and peculiarcharacter of the distant hills gave promise of the most fertile region Ihad yet seen in extra-tropical Australia. 

We followed the shores of the estuary to the northward and eastward untilwe saw a point where it appeared to separate into two branches. Thenatives decamped as soon as they observed us coming, and Kaiber, whowatched them with the most intense interest, indulged in variousspeculations 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 iscompletely sheltered by a line of breakers and reefs, which, althoughthey present a most formidable appearance from the sea, can be doubled bykeeping pretty close along the shore in approaching the mouth of theriver. Owing to this reef there are no breakers on the bar, but its mouthis very narrow and so shoal that I doubt if a boat could be got in at anyother time than high water: some of the sailors with me however thoughtotherwise; but there is at all events convenient landing at this pointunder the shelter of the reef. 

FERTILE COUNTRY. 

April 2. 

The men not having quite completed their preparations for starting, Imoved off at dawn to resume the survey of Gantheaume Bay and itsvicinity. The estuary appeared this morning even more lovely thanyesterday, and as the heavy morning mists arose, unfolding its beautiesto our view, all those feelings came thrilling through my mind whichexplorers alone can know; flowering shrubs and trees, drooping foliage, awide and placid expanse of water met the view; trickling springs andfertile flats were passed over by us; there was much barren land visiblein the distance, though many a sign and token might lead the practicalexplorer to hope that he was about to enter upon a tract of an extent andfertility yet unknown in south-west Australia. A total change had takenplace in the geological formation of the land: a rock as yet unobservedin the south-west portion of the continent occupied the principal placehere; and with this rock was associated limestone; the springs had astrong sulphureous smell, and the lofty broken character of the distantmountains had an almost grand appearance to those who had so longwandered through low and level countries. 

Each step I took rendered my spirits more buoyant and elastic, and eachhill, the position of which I fixed, gave me, from its appearance, renewed hopes. Under such agreeable circumstances the morning worerapidly away, and, having rendered my survey as complete as I could, wereturned to the boats. 

COMMENCE THE MARCH TO PERTH. PROVISIONS DIVIDED. 

We were now all ready to commence our toilsome journey; the provisionshad been shared out; twenty pounds of flour and one pound of saltprovisions per man, being all that was left. What I have here designatedby the name of flour was quite unworthy of being so called. It was of adark yellowish brown colour, and had such a sour fermented taste thatnothing but absolute necessity could induce anyone to eat it. The partyhowever were in high spirits; they talked of a walk of three hundredmiles in a direct line through the country (without taking hills, valleys, and necessary deviations into account) as a trifle, and inimagination were already feasting at home and taking their ease after thetoils they had undergone. 

I gave them all warning of the many difficulties they had yet toencounter, and did this not with the intention of damping their ardourbut in the hope of inducing them to abandon some portion of the loadsthey intended to carry. I entrusted a small pocket chronometer to Mr. Walker, and another to Corporals Coles and Auger; and to Ruston I gavecharge of a pocket-sextant which belonged to the Surveyor-General atPerth. Coles and Auger also undertook to carry a large sextant, turnabout; all my own papers, such charts as I thought necessary, and somesmaller instruments I bore myself; but Kaiber, in order to relieve me, took charge of my gun and some other articles. Mr. Smith carried hissketchbook and box of colours. I ought here to state that, in all thedifficulties 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 andperseverance than was evinced by some of the party in retaining, underevery difficulty, possession of that which they had promised to preservefor me. 

PICTURESQUE HALTING-PLACE. 

Our loads having been hoisted on our shoulders away we moved. I hadbefore chosen my line of route, and the plan I had resolved to adopt wasto walk on slowly but continuously for an hour, and then to halt for tenminutes; during which interval of time the men could rest and relievethemselves from the weight of their burdens whilst I could enter whatnotes and bearings I had taken during the preceding hour. 

We were embarrassed for the first portion of our journey this afternoonby a thick scrub, through which we could only make our way with greatdifficulty, but on coming to a watercourse running into the southern partof Gantheaume Bay from the south-east I turned up its bed, and we werethen able to move along with tolerable facility. This watercourse ran atthe bottom of a red sandstone ravine resembling the old red sandstone ofEngland; and the remainder of the evening was spent in clambering aboutthe rocks and endeavouring to avoid such natural obstacles as impeded ourroute. Our progress was slow, and just before nightfall I turned up abranch ravine trending to the southward, when we soon found ourselves atthe foot of a lofty cascade down which a little water was slowlydropping; and on climbing to its summit it appeared to be so well adaptedfor a halting-place for the night that I determined to remain here. Themen made themselves comfortable near the waterholes, and Mr. Smith andmyself crept into a little cave which occasionally served as aresting-place for the natives, the remains of whose fires were scatteredabout. A wild woodland and rocky scenery was around us; and when the moonrose and shed her pale light over all I sat with Mr. Smith on the edge ofthe waterfall, gazing alternately into the dim woody abyss below, and atthe red fires and picturesque groups of men, than which fancy couldscarcely image a wilder scene. 

NATIVE PATH AND WELL. 

April 3. 

Before the day had fully dawned we were under weigh. Our course for thefirst mile or two was embarrassed by ravines and scrub similar to that wehad yesterday met with; our progress was therefore very slow, but we atlength emerged on elevated sandy downs, thickly clothed with banksiatrees, and across these we came upon a well-beaten native path running tothe south by east, which was exactly our line of route. We had notfollowed this path for more than four miles when we found a mostromantically-situated native well, surrounded by shrubs and gracefulwattle trees, and of a depth and size such as we had never beforeobserved. Here then we seated ourselves, and upon such scanty fare as wehad made a sparing breakfast. This however but very insufficientlysupplied our wants; and as we sat at this little well, thus surroundedwith such fairy scenery, a variety of philosophic reflections crossed ourminds and found vent in words. Nothing could be more delightfullyromantic than our present position. Both as regarded danger, scenery, savages, and unknown lands, we were in precisely the situation in whichMr. Cooper and other novelists delight to depict their travellers, withthis one woeful difference--our wallets were empty. It was in vain Ifumbled about in mine; I could neither find the remains of a venisonpasty, a fat buffalo's hump, or any other delicacy: indeed I had not themeans of keeping life and soul together for many days longer. Deeply didwe regret that we were not favoured for a few days with the company ofMr. Cooper, that he might in our present difficulties fully initiate usinto the mysterious, nay, almost miraculous means by which histravellers, even in the most dreary wilds, always contrived to draw forthfrom their stock of provender such dainties that the bare recollection ofthem made our mouths water; but the necessities of the moment would notpermit me for more than a few minutes to indulge in these speculations, and we turned therefore from seductive travels of the imagination to themore stringent ones of reality. 

HEAVY LOADS CARRIED BY THE MEN. 

I now entreated the men to disencumber themselves of a portion of theloads which they were attempting to carry. Urged by a miscalculatingdesire of gain, when the boats were abandoned they had laid hands uponcanvas and what else they thought would sell at Perth, and some of themappeared to be resolved rather to risk their lives than the booty theywere bending under. The more tractable threw away the articles I toldthem to get rid of; but neither entreaties nor menaces prevailed with theothers. 

For the next three miles we still followed the native path whichcontinued to run south by east. The whole of this distance was over opensandy downs, abounding in kangaroos; but we now suddenly emerged into arich limestone country of gently sloping hills and valleys, affording, even at this season of the year, fair feed for sheep or cattle, and wefound springs of water at every few hundred yards, generally situated atthe edge of a large clump of trees. 

After having for some time rested here I quitted the native path, whichtrended too much to the eastward, and, leaving also the direction of thelimestone country which ran inland, we continued a south by east courseover a gravelly tableland in places covered with beds of clay on whichrested ponds of water. The country here was perfectly open, with clumpsof trees to the eastward. Emus and kangaroos were wandering about theplains. 

DIFFICULT SCRUB. 

Two miles more brought us to an almost impenetrable belt of scrub whichlay east and west, directly athwart our path, so that we were obliged toface it; and in two hours and a half I had forced my way through it. Theothers followed, slowly emerging from the bush after me and, as we wereall totally exhausted, as well as dreadfully torn and bruised, we haltedat its edge for the night, and lighting our fires lay down to court thatrepose we had so fairly earned. We had however only walked fifteen and ahalf miles today. 

April 4. 

I again this morning used every effort to induce some more of the men toabandon a portion of their loads. I represented to them their weak state, the small supply of provisions they had with them, and the difficultythey already found in keeping up with the party; but all these argumentsand every other I could make use of were unavailing; the tenacity withwhich they clung to a worthless property, even at the risk of theirlives, is almost incredible, and it is to be borne in mind that thisproperty was not their own, but what they had taken from the wreck of theboats. Did I even induce one to throw anything away another avariciousfellow would pick it up; and their thoughts and conversation, instead ofrunning upon making the best of their way home and saying their lives, consisted in conjectures as to what they would realize from theirill-gotten and embarrassing booty. 

SUPERIOR NATIVE PATH AND WELLS. 

The course I pursued was one of 180 degrees and we soon fell in with thenative path which we had quitted yesterday; but it now became wide, wellbeaten, and differing altogether by its permanent character from any Ihad seen in the southern portion of this continent. For the first fivemiles we traversed scrubby stony hills, thickly wooded with banksiatrees; but the limestone here again cropped out and we entered a veryfertile valley, running north and south and terminating in a larger onewhich drained the country from east to west. This valley is remarkable ascontaining one Xanthorrhoea (grass-tree) being the farthest point to thenorth at which I have found this tree. In it also was a gigantic ant'snest, being the most southerly one I had yet seen. All thesecircumstances convinced me that we were about to enter a very interestingregion. And as we wound along the native path my wonder augmented; thepath increased in breadth and in its beaten appearance, whilst along theside of it we found frequent wells, some of which were ten and twelvefeet deep and were altogether executed in a superior manner. 

NATIVE WARRAN GROUND. PLAINS ABOUNDING IN THE WARRAN PLANT. 

We now crossed the dry bed of a stream and from that emerged upon a tractof light fertile soil, quite overrun with warran plants, * the root ofwhich is a favourite article of food with the natives. This was the firsttime we had yet seen this plant on our journey, and now for three and ahalf consecutive miles we traversed a fertile piece of land literallyperforated with the holes the natives had made to dig this root; indeedwe could with difficulty walk across it on that account, whilst thistract extended east and west as far as we could see. 

(*Footnote. The Warran in a species of Dioscorea, a sort of yam like thesweet potato. It is known by the same name both on the east and west sideof the continent. )

It was now evident that we had entered the most thickly-populateddistrict of Australia that I had yet observed, and moreover one whichmust have been inhabited for a long series of years, for more had herebeen done to secure a provision from the ground by hard manual labourthan I could have believed it in the power of uncivilised man toaccomplish. After crossing a low limestone range we came down uponanother equally fertile warran ground, bounded eastward by a high rangeof rocky limestone hills, luxuriantly grassed, and westward by a lowrange of similar formation. The native path about two miles further oncrossed this latter range, and we found ourselves in a grassy valley, about four miles wide, bounded seawards by sandy downs. Along its centrelay a chain of reedy freshwater swamps, and native paths ran in from allquarters to one main line of communication leading to the southward. 

DANGERS OF DELAY. 

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 thicktea-tree swamp, extremely picturesque, and producing abundance of theseplants, some of which were collected by the men to eat in the evening. Tomy surprise Mr. Walker here came up to me and asked if I did not think itwould be better to halt for a day or two at places of this kind to allowthe men to refresh themselves. The idea of men halting and wasting theirstrength and energies in searching for native food whilst they had sofearful a journey before them, and no supplies, appeared to me to bepreposterous in the extreme: to obtain a sufficiency of food, even for anative, requires in Australia a great degree of skill and knowledge ofthe productions of the country; but for a European, utterly unaccustomedto this species of labour and totally unacquainted with the productionsof the land, to obtain enough to support life for any period, whilst atthe same time he has to search for water, is quite impossible. EvenKaiber, from his ignorance of the roots, declared that he should starvein this country. I saw therefore that did I adopt the proposed plan oftravelling only a few miles a day, and occasionally halting for a day ortwo to refresh ourselves upon some thistles and periwinkles, I shouldinfallibly sacrifice the lives of the whole party; and under thisimpression I declined to accede to the suggestion. Amongst indolent andworn-out men however it subsequently became an extremely popular notion, and, as future events clearly showed, a fatally erroneous one. I from thefirst opposed it both by my words and example; and in this instance, assoon as I conceived that the men were sufficiently rested, I moved on. 

PICTURESQUE ESTUARY. 

After travelling another mile we found ourselves at the head of a largeand picturesque estuary which lay north and south; the native path ranalong its shores, which were of great richness and beauty, and theestuary itself lay to our west and was about two miles across; on theeast a series of rich undercliff limestone hills gradually rose intolofty and precipitate ranges, between which and the estuary was thefertile valley along which we wound our weary way; while groups ofgraceful acacias with their airy and delicate foliage gave a great charmto this beautiful spot. We moved slowly along, and ere we had made twomiles more the shades of night began to fall and I halted the party. 

RICH AND FERTILE DISTRICT. 

The abundance of grass which grew around enabled us to enjoy the almostunknown luxury of a soft bed, yet as I lay down my thoughts were far frompleasant when I found that we had only walked twelve miles today, andthis distance had been accomplished by several of the party with thegreatest difficulty. Three of them were the men who carried those heavyloads which I could not yet induce them to abandon; now I could not butreflect that, if their difficulty was so great in walking in a countryabounding with water, that it would be almost impossible for them to getalong in one where it was scarce; moreover the mere physical exertion ofgetting unwilling men to move by persuasions and entreaties was harassingin the extreme, and indeed had so agitated me that the night had nearlyworn away ere I closed my eyes. The rich flats we were on today haveapparently at no distant period formed part of the head of the estuary. 

April 5. 

Such a heavy dew had fallen during the night that when I got up in themorning I found my clothes completely saturated, and everything looked soverdant and flourishing compared to the parched up country which existedto the north of us, and that which I knew lay to the south, that I triedto find a satisfactory reason to explain so strange a circumstance, butwithout success. It seemed certain however that we stood in the richestprovince of South-west Australia, and one which so differs from the otherportions of it in its geological characters, in the elevations of itsmountains 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 movingupon another continent. As yet however the only means I had of judging ofthe large number of natives inhabiting this district had been from theirpaths and warran grounds, but it was most probable that we should erelong fall in with some of them. 

We started at dawn pursuing a south-south-east direction, and at the endof one mile rounded a bluff point; the limestone hills to the eastwardgradually decreased in elevation and we ascended one of them to gain aview of the surrounding country. I found that the summit of this rangeconsisted of a terrace about half a mile wide, richly grassed andornamented with clumps of mimosas; to the eastward rose a preciselysimilar limestone terrace, whilst to the westward lay the estuary withits verdant and extensive flats. 

APPEARANCE OF NATIVES. 

As we wound our way along this terrace a large party of natives suddenlyappeared on the high ground to the eastward of us. They evinced no fearwhatever but advanced to within about two hundred yards, when I wentforward with Kaiber to induce them to hold an interview with us; thishowever I could not bring about, for whenever I advanced they retreated, and when I retired they advanced; they also now began to shout out totheir distant fellows, and these again cooeed to others still fartheroff, until the calls were lost in the distance, whilst freshreinforcements of natives came trooping in from all directions. 

INDICATIONS OF HOSTILITY. PROGRESS OPPOSED BY NATIVES. 

Our situation was growing critical for had any of the party been woundedwe could not attempt to save his life by remaining with him without thealmost certain danger of losing our own, whilst on the other hand to haveabandoned him under such circumstances would have been impossible. I wasmost anxious to get rid of these natives in peace, as they now could notbe induced to come to us, being most probably fearful of our numbers. Ihoped therefore they would let us go quietly on our way and moved theparty forward; but they now followed us with loud shouts, whilst those inthe distance came running up. I again halted but they would hold nocommunication, and when in despair I again moved the party on we saw anumber 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 beunable much longer to restrain them from firing if I did not disperse thenatives. 

I therefore halted the party, and cocking my gun moved rapidly towardsthem, motioning them away; they retired as I advanced, but directly Iturned they again followed us; I now ran towards them with my gunpointed, when they made off before me once more, and in order to completetheir dispersion I had intended to fire over their heads; but to my greatmortification and their intense delight, my gun snapped, and, as theyfound the weapon I had with me, and with which I had menaced them in soauthoritative a manner, appeared to produce no effect, they took courage, and, turning about, made faces at me and an insulting noise which wasmeant to imitate the snapping of the gun. Their inimical intentions nowbecame more manifest; I however ran at them again, and fired my secondbarrel over their heads, which caused a rapid retreat; but they halted ona rising ground about three hundred yards from us, and finding on themuster of their forces that they had sustained no damage, they madepreparations, as if resolved to commence hostilities in earnest. 

NATIVES DISPERSED. 

As these natives had now unfortunately learnt to despise our weapons Iwas compelled to act promptly, or blood would undoubtedly have been shed. I therefore took my rifle from Coles and, directing it at a heap ofclosely matted dead bushes which were distant two or three yards to theright of their main body, I drove a ball right through it: the dry rottenboughs crackled, and flew in all directions, whilst our enemy, utterlyconfounded at this distant, novel, and unfair mode of warfare, fled fromthe field in confusion, the majority of our party rejoicing at thebloodless victory: we then wended our way along the native path which ledus down to the flats bordering the estuary, and finding there anunderground stream of water bubbling along through a limestone cavity andhaving several openings upwards, we halted to refresh ourselves. 

I had hoped that finding hostile natives in our vicinity would have madethe stragglers keep up better with the party, but they would neitherhasten on nor throw away their loads, so that my patience was sorelytried; a man of the name of Stiles was the worst; nothing could inducehim to move along, and even the threat of leaving him behind produced noeffect; I however kept pushing steadily onwards, for I never thought ofthe length of the journey we had to perform without trembling for theresult. We were now walking on a course of 180 degrees, and followed thisline for two miles and a half through a similar country. We still foundmany native paths running along the estuary, and saw the natives fishing, but they carefully avoided us, making off for the high lands as fast asthey could. 

ESTUARY OF THE HUTT RIVER. DESCRIPTION OF THE COUNTRY AND SCENERY. 

The estuary became narrower here, and shortly after seeing these nativeswe came upon a river running into it from the eastward; its mouth wasabout forty yards wide, the stream strong, but the water brackish, and itflowed through a very deep ravine, having steep limestone hills on eachside: many wild-fowls were on the river, but we could not get a shot atthem. Being unable to ford the river here we followed it in a south-eastdirection for two miles, and in this distance passed two native villages, or, as the men termed them, towns, the huts of which they were composeddiffered from those in the southern districts in being much larger, morestrongly built, and very nicely plastered over the outside with clay andclods of turf, so that although now uninhabited they were evidentlyintended for fixed places of residence. This again showed a markeddifference between the habits of the natives of this part of Australiaand the south-western portions of the continent; for these superior huts, well marked roads, deeply sunk wells, and extensive warran grounds, allspoke of a large and comparatively-speaking resident population, and thecause of this undoubtedly must have been the great facilities forprocuring food in so rich a soil. 

MOUNT VICTORIA AND MOUNT ALBERT. 

We now came to two very remarkable hills bearing north-east of us anddistant about three miles, which I have named Mount Victoria and MountAlbert. They lay about one mile apart, and were of the form shown inIllustration 2, which will give a good idea of the flat-topped hillshereabouts. 

THE HUTT RIVER. 

The river still ran in a deep wooded valley bordered by rich flats, highhills lying both to the right and left of our line of route. Two milesand a half more on a course of 135 degrees brought us out on somegravelly barren plains, and just before coming to these, and in passingthrough a scrub, we raised a flight of white cockatoos, of a species newto me. One of the men got an ineffectual shot at them. 

FIRST HILLS OF THE SOUTHERN IRONSTONE FORMATION. 

After traversing these plains for two miles in a south-east direction wecame upon a valley through which flowed a branch of the river we had thisday discovered, running in a bed of fifty yards across, and having in itscentre a rapid stream falling in small cascades; it appeared at timessubject to extensive inundations, and here its course was through barrenplains covered with rocks piled up in strange fantastic masses, and thebed was composed of that kind of red sandstone which at Perth is calledironstone; this being the farthest point north at which I have remarkedit. 

A number of grass-trees (Xanthorrhoea) grew near the spot where we hadhalted; they appeared unhealthy and stunted, but indeed I suspect theyare a new and undescribed variety. Being desirous of procuring anything Icould for the men to eat I had the tops of some of these trees cut offand boiled, they were however still so hard that to chew them wasimpossible, and it was evident that we had not yet reached a parallel oflatitude calculated to produce tender-topped grass trees. 

I knew our latitude and position this night exactly, as I had seen MountNaturaliste of the French in the course of the day. There could be nodoubt whatever that we were in a very remarkable district, for we stoodupon the point where the geological formations of the north-western andsouth-western portions of the continent were associated together, and theflora of which was so made up of those of both that it was impossible totell which predominated. There were many other interesting circumstancesconnected with the surrounding country, some of which have been alreadymentioned. I named the river and estuary now discovered the Hutt afterWilliam Hutt, Esquire, M. P. , brother of His Excellency the Governor ofWestern Australia. 

INDISPOSITION OF MR. SMITH. 

Mr. Smith this day complained of weakness, not sufficiently however inthe least to alarm me. He had hitherto been nearly always in the rear ofthe party without lagging, but I thought two of the men in a much weakerstate than he was. 

CHAPTER 2. FROM THE HUTT RIVER TO WATER PEAK. 

WILD TURKEYS SEEN. 

April 6. 

We moved off this morning on a course of 180 degrees. The first mile ofour journey was over low scrubby ironstone hills. We then came down uponrich flats through which the main branch of the Hutt ran; and followedthe course of this branch for about two miles. It was not running butthere were many pools with water in its bed: the flats were rich andgrassy and on the hills to the westward (the Menai Hills) we descriedwild turkeys, being the farthest point north at which I had seen thisbird. 

As I saw that the ground in front of us was very steep and abrupt, sothat the weak and weary would have found it a difficult task to mastersuch an ascent, I turned off on a course of 168 degrees, ascending asandy tableland covered with scrub. When we had walked three miles inthis direction the table-hill of Captain King bore east by south distantfive miles. We now proceeded parallel to the sea, which was distant onemile through an indifferent country. This course continued for about fivemiles, and on the ranges to the eastward the country still appeared to begrassy and good. 

RELUCTANCE OF THE MEN TO HASTEN ONWARDS. DIFFICULTY OF URGING THE PARTYFORWARD. 

Although we had walked very slowly many of the party were completelyexhausted, and one or two of the discontented ones pretended to bedreadfully in want of water, notwithstanding they carried canteens andhad only walked eight miles since leaving the bank of a river; I wastherefore obliged to halt, and could not get them to move for threehours. I am sorry to say that some who should have known much betterendeavoured to instil into the minds of the men that it was preferableonly to walk a few miles a day and not to waste their strength by longmarches; utterly forgetting that most of the party had now only seven oreight pounds of fermented flour left, and that if they did not make playwhilst they had strength their eventually reaching Perth was quitehopeless. This however was a very popular doctrine for thoughtless andweary men, who were overloaded and yet from a feeling of avarice wouldnot abandon any portion of what they were carrying. The majority of theparty not only adopted these views in theory but doggedly carried theminto practice; and from this moment I abandoned all hope of getting thewhole party into the settled districts in safety. Poor fellows! most ofthem paid dearly for the mistaken notions they now adopted. Mr. Smith, with his usual spirit, was for pushing on, although his strength wasinadequate to the task. I laid under the shade of a bush lost in gloomyreveries and temporary unpopularity; Kaiber by my side lulled me withnative songs composed for the occasion, and in prospective I saw all thedread sufferings which were to befall the doomed men who sat around me, confident of their success under the new plan; but like all prophets Iwas without honour amongst my own acquaintance; and after considering thematter under every point of view I thought it better for the moment tosuccumb to the general feeling, yet to lose no opportunity on everysubsequent occasion of endeavouring to rouse the party into a degree ofenergy suited to our desperate circumstances. 

At the end of the three hours I again begged several of the party, whoappeared to be in an exhausted state, to abandon a portion of theiruseless loads; but they were quite sure that by making short marches, notexhausting their strength, and now and then halting for a day or two torefresh, they could carry them into Perth, and therefore refused to partwith them. Mr. Smith and myself found that stopping in this way andgetting cold rendered our limbs so stiff and painful when we walked onagain that we could scarcely move; and I suspect that such was the casewith the other men, for when we started again I could hardly get themalong. One man of the name of Stiles, who was a stout supporter of thenew theory, made us stop for him nearly every five minutes. 

THE BOWES RIVER. 

After walking one mile we fortunately came to a very deep valley, havingsuch steep limestone cliffs on each side that it assumed quite thecharacter of a ravine: it was about a mile wide and in it was awatercourse winding through deep flats. We however only found water inpools; the course of the stream was very tortuous and its mouth wasalmost blocked up by sandhills. The valley itself was both picturesqueand fertile, and the appearance of the country to the east and north-eastwas highly promising. The stream I called the Bowes. 

NATIVE RESTING-PLACE. NATIVE HUTS. 

This spot was a favourite halting-place of the natives; and from thenumber of huts and other indications which we saw the district must bevery densely populated. The huts were of the same superior constructionas those which we had seen near the Hutt, and the traces were veryrecent, but the natives themselves were either at a distance or keptcarefully out of our way. The valley that we were now in, as well as theother limestone valleys in this province, partook exactly of thecharacter of those in the carboniferous limestone districts of Englandinasmuch as they were deep gorges, or ravines, now traversed bywatercourses or streams apparently much too insignificant to have groovedthem out. 

PROVOKING INDOLENCE OF THE MEN. 

Our finding water here was fortunate for I now showed the men that, hadthey walked one mile farther instead of halting in the manner they haddone, they would have had abundance of it, and would have been, at thismoment, at least, five miles nearer home. I also directed Mr. Walker toexamine Stiles and to state whether he was in good health or not. He didso and reported him quite well. I therefore when we started again gaveStiles warning that I should not halt every minute for him but wouldleave him behind, at the same time ordering him to walk in front of theparty, next after me. 

I continued a course of 180 degrees up a steep limestone range, behindwhich apparently ran a branch of the watercourse we had just passed: agood country lay to the eastward of us. Stiles now delayed us so muchthat some of his comrades spoke to him very warmly on the subject, whilstothers still held to the opinion that walking a few miles a day andsometimes halting a day or two to refresh was the true mode ofproceeding. We only made two miles this evening and I threw myself on theground so worn and harassed that I could not sleep. 

AN EXTENSIVE FERTILE COUNTRY. 

Sunday April 7. 

Before the sun had appeared above the horizon I managed to get the partyfairly started, and we followed a course of 180 degrees over elevatedsandy downs which rested on a limestone formation. The first four milesof our journey was not very encouraging; we could only see as far to theeastward as the flat-topped range; and although the slopes of these hillslooked very fertile I had no means of judging how far back this goodcountry extended; we had however been creeping gradually up an ascent, and when we gained the summit of this I turned to look to the northwardafter the straggling party, who were slowly mounting the hill, some ofthem staggering along under loads so heavy that I should have hated thetyranny 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 thispainful picture of the weakness of human nature, I turned to thenorth-eastward, and there burst upon my sight a most enchanting view. Inthe far east, that is, some twenty or five-and-twenty miles away, stretched a lofty chain of mountains, flat-topped and so regular in theiroutline that they appeared rather the work of art than of nature. Betweenthis range and the nearest one lay a large rich valley vying with themost fertile I have ever seen in an extra-tropical country. In front ofus lay another valley which drained a portion of the large one, and inboth rose gently swelling hills and picturesque peaks, wooded in the mostromantic manner. Whilst I stood and looked on this scene, my woes wereforgotten. Such moments as these repay an explorer for much toil andtrouble. 

THE VICTORIA RANGE AND DISTRICT. THE PROVINCE OF VICTORIA. 

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 mostfertile in Australia I named it the Province of Victoria. There is noother part of extra-tropical Australia which can boast of the same numberof streams in an equal extent of coast frontage, or which has suchelevated land so near the sea; and I have seen no other which has solarge an extent of good country. It is however bounded both to the northand south by comparatively-speaking unproductive districts; but what thecharacter of the country to the north-east and south-east may be stillremains to be ascertained. 

Another mile on a course of 180 degrees brought us to the valley in ourfront; it was of the same rich and romantic character as that which Ihave just described, being in depth about two hundred feet, downlimestone rocks, in places assuming the character of cliffs. In itsbottom was a watercourse containing water in pools only; but it must beborne in mind that it was now the very end of the dry season. The partyall came up, and we laid ourselves down under the grateful shade of themimosas. Those who chose took their fill of water. I had made a rulenever to taste it except to wash out my mouth from sunrise until wehalted for the night; for I found that drinking water promoted profuseperspiration and more ardent thirst, and I preferred practising a littleself-denial to enduring the greater pangs arising from indulgence. 

Whilst I stretched my weary length along under the pleasant shade I sawin fancy busy crowds throng the scenes I was then amongst. I pictured tomyself the bleating sheep and lowing herds wandering over these fertilehills; 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 manhas ever gazed on. The view was backed by the Victoria Range, whilstseaward you looked out through a romantic glen upon the great IndianOcean. I knew that within four or five years civilization would havefollowed my tracks, and that rude nature and the savage would no longerreign supreme over so fine a territory. Mr. Smith entered eagerly into mythoughts and views: together we built these castles in the air, trustingwe should see happy results spring from our present sufferings andlabours, but within a few weeks from this day he died in the wilds he wasexploring. 

THE BULLER RIVER. 

The stream we were on I named the Buller; we rested some time by it andwhen we moved on some of the advocates of the eight or ten mile a daysystem very unwillingly followed the party. We fell in with a native pathwhich wound up through a thick scrub in pleasing sinuosities, and emergedupon a tableland similar to the one we had traversed this morning. 

THE CHAPMAN RIVER. 

I now followed a course of 169 degrees, and after walking three milesmore we arrived at the edge of a valley of the same character as thatwherein the Buller flowed, and through it we had another view of thefertile country to the eastward: into this valley we descended and, finding a watercourse running through it with water in pools, I seatedmyself with such of the party as were up, about half a quarter of a milefrom the Mount Fairfax of Captain King, and named this stream theChapman. 

SEARCH FOR A MISSING MAN. 

Mr. Walker now came up with the remainder of the party and reported thatStiles was missing. As he could have no difficulty in finding us I merelytook the precaution to make the men sit in such positions that he coulddistinguish us from the summit of the opposite cliffs when he arrivedthere, and we patiently awaited that moment. Time however wore on, andsome of the men finding a species of geranium with a root not unlike avery small and tough parsnip, we prepared and ate several messes of thisplant. 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 totry if they could discern anything of him or his tracks. During theirabsence I expressed, in the hearing of some of the men, my anxiety lesthe should have lingered behind and have fallen in with the natives; uponwhich they smiled and said that "Tom Stiles was a man who did not careabout the natives; and that only that morning he had said he didn't mindfor all the natives in the island, d--- them;" and that they thought hehad stopped behind on purpose. 

GATHERING OF NATIVES. SCENE WITH NATIVES. 

The absence of Mr. Walker and his party continued much longer than Iexpected, and just at the moment that I had become rather alarmed aboutit Coles reported to me that he saw natives on the opposite cliff, jumping about and running up and down brandishing their spears in themanner they do before and after a fight. Coles was at this time posted assentry on a terrace just above where we were, and the ascent to which wasvery difficult. I got up on this as fast as I could; it was only two orthree yards broad and ran apparently along the whole length of thevalley. The natives used it as a path, and a very steep hill rose behindit. I could not however make out the natives, and as the opposite cliffswere a long way off I thought that Coles might have been mistaken. When Itold him this he merely said "Look there, then, Sir, " and pointed to thetop of Mount Fairfax, distant about 400 yards due north of us, and sureenough there were a party of natives, well armed and going through avariety of ceremonies which the experience of centuries had proved to behighly efficacious in getting rid of evil spirits. In the presentinstance however their wonted efficacy failed, but the natives appearedevery moment to be getting more vehement in their gestures. 

Our situation by no means pleased me: Stiles and a separate party of ourown men had mysteriously disappeared in the direction where Coles hadfirst seen the natives, by whom we were in a manner surrounded, and thatin an abominable position, for they could steal amongst the underwoodclose 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 tooccupy it effectually against treacherous (or rather, bold and skilful)enemies. On the other hand I could not quit my present position andoccupy a more favourable one, for, in the event of Mr. Walker andCorporal Auger being pressed by the natives and retreating on us, it wasour duty to be at that spot where they would calculate on finding us andan effectual assistance. I made therefore the best disposition of mylittle force I could, and, occupying the centre of the party, I had thesatisfaction of seeing our wild friends on Mount Fairfax, blowingstrongly at us and capering more furiously than ever when they beheld ourunaccountable manoeuvres. 

THEIR MANOEUVRES. 

It was fortunate that poor Kaiber was absent, for so fearful anexhibition of sorcery would have altogether upset his nerves; but theBritish 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 asurprise, and we anxiously waited to see from what quarter the attackwould come. 

CONTINUATION OF SEARCH FOR THE MISSING MAN. RETURN OF PARTY FROM SEARCH. 

The cause of their disappearance was however soon explained. Mr. Walker, Corporal Auger, and Kaiber came winding down the hills under MountFairfax, and gave the following account of their proceedings: Onascending the cliffs opposite to us they had found Stiles's tracks, andhad followed them until they reached the sea beach; on passing the streamon their way there they found a place where he had halted and made up allhis flour into dampers; but on coming out on the shore they saw a largeparty of natives seated on the sandhills in front, whilst others werefishing in the sea at this point; and the tracks of Stiles turned offinto the interior: this hero, who wished to encounter all the natives ofthe island single-handed, had evidently fled from them. Mr. Walker hadbeen unable to follow his tracks any further and had therefore thought itmost prudent to return to the main party. 

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 atthe first convenient opportunity, together with various expressions hehad dropped in the presence of the men, there could be no doubt but thathe had purposely quitted the party; yet to abandon him to his fateamongst natives, who were by no means friendly in their gestures andappearance, required a degree of resolution I was unprepared at thatmoment to exercise. To leave him without a search was to sacrifice onelife, to allow one man to perish, whilst occupying one or two days inlooking for him would merely increase the temporary sufferings of therest; whilst the loss of time would probably occasion no other bad resultthan a little more personal privation; and this, in order to try to savethe life of a fellow-creature, I conceived it to be my own duty and thatof the rest of the party to undergo. Influenced by these reasons Idesired all hands to prepare to start in search of Stiles. 

Strange however to say, my resolution was scarcely made known ere muchgrumbling arose; and this chiefly amongst those men who had lately beenloudest in their praises of the system of only marching a few miles a dayand occasionally halting for a day or two where we could get native rootsto eat, in fact, amongst those whose foolish ideas had led Stiles todesert the party. We however moved on in the direction of the spot whereKaiber had lost the tracks, and on our way over the high ground we met anative with his spear and a handful of fish; he was lost in thought andwe were close to him before he saw us: when he did so he took no noticewhatever of us, but without even quickening his pace continued in hisoriginal line of direction, which crossed ours obliquely. As he evidentlydid not wish to communicate with us I directed the men not to take theleast notice of him, and thus we passed one another. He must have been avery brave fellow to act so coolly as he did when an array so strange tohim met his eye. 

ANOTHER PARTY OF NATIVES. 

On arriving at the beach to the south of a bay or harbour, * which thepressure of circumstances precluded me from examining, we could findnothing of Stiles's tracks: he appeared to have gone off due east in thehope of crossing our route, but, being in advance of us, and consequentlynot finding our traces, it was impossible to say in which direction hemight have turned. The natives now mustered a very large force andoccupied the high hills (almost cliffs) which lay a few hundred yards toour left, and, as they had such an advantageous position and could at anymoment surprise us amongst the low sandhills where we were searching forStiles's footsteps, our situation was one of great danger. At length, finding it impossible to keep the men steady, I moved them up to thehigher ground, where we could have met the natives upon a footing ofequality. They appeared, although very numerous, to be now by no meanshostile, merely standing on a high hill, watching us and calling out"Yoongar kaw, " or "Oh, people!" whilst Kaiber, who knew nothing of theirvile magical practices, and therefore regarded them as mere ordinaryflesh and blood, was very ready to communicate with them; but as theymade no other advances, I thought it better merely to remain near themfor the night, occasionally firing a gun in hopes Stiles might hear it, and with this intention I selected a spot for our encampment. 

(*Footnote. For a further description of this harbour, which has beensince denominated Port Grey, see the account of the schooner Champion'sExpedition in the 6th chapter. )

April 8. 

We started very early this morning and Kaiber exerted himself to theutmost to find Stiles's traces. At the end of three miles, on a course of180 degrees, we descended from the elevated scrubby plains we had beenmoving along to the lowlands, and on reaching this came upon the bed of asmall watercourse. I here halted the party; and as it was uncertain whenwe might again fall in with water I commenced a search for it withKaiber, but after travelling rapidly over a good deal of ground withoutseeing either water or any traces of Stiles we rejoined the party verymuch fatigued. 

THE MAN FOUND. 

For the next two and a half miles we wound along low, grassy, swampyplains, thinly wooded with clumps of Acacias, and then entered upon lowscrubby plains bounding the sea-shore. I here caught sight of Stiles justahead of us and coming in from the eastward: he was very glad once moreto find himself in safety; and his comrades seemed pleased to see himagain, although many a suppressed murmur had met my ears during ourmorning's walk at the trouble I was taking to look for him. 

THE GREENOUGH RIVER. 

Four miles further over similar plains in a south by east directionbrought us to a river, about five-and-twenty yards wide, which I namedthe Greenough; and travelling up it a short distance we found a spotwhere we could cross by stepping from rock to rock. Its waters were quitesalt. I continued our route for about three miles, when I found it wasimpossible to induce some of the men to walk any further; they laidsullenly down and were so fully convinced that I was pursuing a wrongsystem in marching so far in a day, and never halting for two or threedays to refresh, as they wished, that I could do nothing with them, andwas therefore forced to sit down too. Corporal Auger soon afterwardsfound water near us, and I moved the party down to it. 

Finding water in some degree revived their spirits and I contrived to getthem to proceed seven miles more before nightfall, the way being oversandy open plains very favourable for walking. 

MORE NATIVE HUTS. 

We passed a large assemblage of native huts of the same permanentcharacter as those I have before mentioned: there were two groups ofthose houses close together in a sequestered nook in a wood, which takencollectively would have contained at least a hundred and fifty natives. We halted for the night in the dry bed of a watercourse, abounding ingrass, so that we again enjoyed the luxury of a soft bed. At first Ithought that we were near natives from hearing a plaintive cry like thatof a child, but Kaiber assured me that it was the cry of the young of thewild turkey. 

CROSS THE HEADS OF TWO BAYS. 

In the course of this day we travelled across the heads of two bays, which were indistinctly visible through the woods. 

FERTILE VALLEY. 

April 9. 

The first three miles of our route this day lay over sandy scrubbyplains; we saw however a good country to the eastward. I found that a manof the name of Charley Woods was much knocked up; he was a supporter ofthe eight or nine miles a day system, and had a very heavy load with noportion of which could I induce him to part; he however insisted onsitting down every half mile and detaining the party, and as I found thatthey got more worn out and weaker, and the impression in favour of longrests and short marches became much stronger, I thought it more prudentto acquiesce for the present. 

We now reached a very thick belt of trees, pushing through which was atask of great difficulty, but at length we emerged upon some clear hillsoverlooking a very extensive and fertile valley, from which arose sodense a fog that portions of it appeared to be a large lake. Into thisvalley we descended, and the remainder of the day until near noon wasspent by me in endeavouring to get the men to move. 

THE IRWIN RIVER. AUSTRALIND. 

We this morning for the first time met with Zamia trees, and about 12P. M. Came down upon the large sandy bed of a dried up river which I namedthe Irwin after my friend Major Irwin, the Commandant at Swan River;following this for half a mile we found a native well, dug to aconsiderable depth in the bed, but all our scraping here was vain. Waterwas 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 nearus; directly however the little fellows perceived us, they scampered offat their utmost speed, and no doubt ever since that period they have beenfirm believers in the existence of ghosts. 

The men now began to complain much of the want of water, and I for sometime followed the traces of these native boys, who had come from thesouthward and eastward, in the hope that their tracks would lead us toit, but the grumbling and discontent of some of the men was so great thatI found it almost impossible to induce them to move. My object was to getthem to walk to a high peaked hill distant about five miles from us in adue south-east direction, and under which I felt certain, from itsheight, that we should find water, but I was obliged at last to give upthis idea: Charles Woods would not stir at all, and several of the menfollowed his example; they laid down on the ground and no inducementcould prevail on them either to move or to abandon a portion of theirloads; and this obstinacy on their part was accompanied in some instanceswith the most blasphemous and horrid expressions. Indeed I could notconceal from myself the fact of its being the general impression that mymode of proceeding was "killing the men, " and that consequently some ofthem had arrived at the resolution of compelling me by their conduct toadopt their favourite system of short marches and long halts. But I wasstill aware of the disastrous consequences which must necessarily resultfrom such a mode of proceeding, and determined to have nothing to do withit. 

In the course of the afternoon I managed to get the party to move about amile and a half in an easterly direction, but they here again sat downand could neither be induced to walk or to part with their bundles. 

SEARCH FOR WATER. 

As they had not tasted water today I selected the best walkers, namely, Corporals Auger and Coles, Hackney, Henry Woods, and Kaiber, and went offto look for some to bring to the rest. We were now on a well-beatennative path which traversed a fertile tract of country, and along this wecontinued our route, walking as rapidly as we could, for night was comingon apace. From this path we made frequent divergencies but found nowater; in one instance we met with a native well of great depth, where aparty of them had been drinking a few days before, but it was now quitedry. 

FIND IT AT WATER PEAK. WATER PEAK HILL. 

We therefore continued our search, and just as it was growing dark hadmade about seven miles of a circuitous course and found ourselves at thefoot of the high-peaked hill seen this morning, named by me Water Peak. Istill hurried along the native path, and was so wrapped up in thethoughts of our present position that I passed, without seeing it, abeautiful spring that rose to within a few inches of the surface. Nearthis the natives had built a small hut, covered with boughs, concealed inwhich they might kill the birds and animals which came to drink at thislone water; the keen eye of Coles in a moment detected the little pool, and our thirst was soon assuaged. 

For a few minutes we lay on the bank of this clear spring, resting ourwearied limbs and admiring the scenery around us. There is a something inthe wild luxuriance of a totally new and uncultivated country which wordscannot convey to the inhabitant of an old and civilized land, the richand graceful forms of the trees, the massy moss-grown trunks which cumberthe soil, the tree half uptorn by some furious gale and still remainingin the falling posture in which the winds have left it, the droopingdisorder of dead and dying branches, the mingling of rich grasses anduseless weeds, all declare that here man knows not the luxuries the soilcan yield him: it was over such a scene, rendered still more lovely bythe falling shadows of night, that our eyes now wandered. 

BENIGHTED IN RETURNING TO THE PARTY. 

I roused the men again and we commenced our return to the party, loadedwith a supply of water. It was now dark and we soon wandered from thepath. Kaiber took a star for his guide and led us straight across thecountry; but our route lay through a warran ground, full of holes, and inthe 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 beimprudent to proceed farther, as we every moment were in danger ofbreaking a limb or seriously injuring ourselves. I therefore halted forthe night, and as we were unable to light a fire both on account of theheavy dew and of having no proper materials with us, the first portion ofit passed wretchedly enough, indeed, weary as I was, I found it necessaryto walk about in order to preserve some slight degree of warmth in myframe. 

At length however the men, who were much too cold to sleep, got up and, renewing their efforts, succeeded in kindling a blaze. Kaiber sooncollected plenty of wood, and as I was unable to sleep I passed the nightin meditating on our present state. 

POSITION AND PROSPECTS. 

I felt sure that if the men persisted in their resolution of movingslowly a lingering and dreadful death awaited us all; yet my opinion wasa solitary one. Mr. Walker had in many instances plainly and publiclyshown 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 hethought it his duty to encounter. The most therefore I could say againstthose who were opposed to my system of moving was that I conceived themto be guilty of a grievous error in judgment; but it was not until ourseparate opinions had been tested by the future that it could bedefinitely pronounced who was right. Nevertheless those who have beenmuch with men compelled to make long marches cannot fail to have remarkedhow readily and foolishly they find excuses to enable them to obtain ahalt, and such persons would probably have agreed with me in suspectingthat natural indolence of disposition, strengthened by fatigue andprivation, might induce men to adopt, without a very strictinvestigation, any opinion falling in with their immediate feelings offeebleness. 

Being firmly convinced that these men intended to pursue a plan ofoperations which would entail great misery both upon themselves and theothers, I considered that I ought undoubtedly to endeavour to save themfrom the danger which I foresaw impending over them; and this could onlybe accomplished by my making forced marches to Perth and sending outsupplies to meet them before they were reduced to the last extremities. Had I foreseen a week ago that I should be compelled eventually to adoptsuch a step I would then have taken with me all such as were willing tomarch and have left the others; but this time had passed. My movement toPerth must now be accomplished with the greatest expedition or it wouldbe useless; and to take anyone with me who was so much reduced as to havedelayed, impeded, or perhaps altogether to have arrested our progress, would have sacrificed the lives of all. 

CHAPTER 3. FROM WATER PEAK TO GAIRDNER'S RANGE. 

RETURN TO THE PARTY. 

April 10. 

The morning's dawn found us in the vicinity of our comrades, and, just asthe thick grey mists began heavily to ascend from the low plains on whichI had left the party, we emerged from the bush upon the native path downwhich we had travelled the preceding evening; here I turned northward, and a few minutes more placed the party in our view. Some of them weremissing. I felt alarmed lest a new misfortune had happened and, hurryingon, eagerly asked where they were. The answer given will describe moretruly their position than the most minute detail could do; it was: "Theyare just gone into the bush to suck grass, Sir. " This semblance ofextreme thirst must however, I suspect, have been in some measure a pieceof affectation upon their parts, for upon the morning of the day beforethey had had a plentiful supply of water: whether however their extremesufferings were true or feigned mattered not, we fully supplied theirwants; and then I immediately ordered preparations to be made for ourfurther progress. 

We moved on in the direction of the spring of water which lay about halfa mile to the eastward of our true line of route. Our movements were soonagain delayed by Woods, who began as usual to lie down and declare hisinability to proceed any further. 

DELAYS CAUSED BY USELESS BAGGAGE. DESTRUCTION OF USELESS BAGGAGE. 

I desired him to leave behind the heavy load he was carrying; but as uponformer occasions he again declared his determination to die rather thanpart with this mysterious bundle, which appeared to possess anextraordinary value in his estimation. It was easy to see from hisappearance that he was now really ill and unable to carry such a weightas he was striving to do. At length he again laid himself down, declaringthat he was dying, and, as I determined no longer to see his lifeendangered by his so obstinately insisting on carrying this bundle, Itook it up, and, informing him of my intention to pay him the full valueof any property of his that I might destroy, I proceeded to open it withthe intention of throwing all useless articles away. 

Upon this announcement of mine he burst into tears, deplored alternatelyhis dying state and the loss of the bundle, and then poured forth atorrent of invectives against me, in the midst of which I quietly went onunfolding the treasured parcel and exposing to view the followingarticles: Three yards of thick heavy canvas; some duck which he hadpurloined; a large roll of sewing thread, ditto; a thick pea jacket whichI had abandoned at the boats, and had, at his request, given to him; andvarious other old pieces of canvas and duck; also a great part of thecordage of one of the boats, which he had taken without permission. 

When these various articles were produced it was difficult to tell whichwas the prevailing sentiment in the minds of some of the party--mirth atthus seeing the contents of the mysterious bundle exposed, or indignationthat a man should have been so foolish as to endanger his own life anddelay our movements for the sake of such a collection of trash. A pair ofshoes and one or two useful articles were retained, the remainder werethrown away, and in a few minutes we were again under weigh for thespring of water. 

HALT AT WATER PEAK. 

Another hour's march brought us to the spring; and those who with me hadbeen 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 fewwild greens that grew about the water, I cooked a breakfast for myselfand the native without being obliged to draw upon my little store offlour. This frugal repast having been washed down by a few mouthfuls ofwater, I resumed my meditations of the previous night. 

CRITICAL SITUATION. 

The following appeared to be our true position. We were about one hundredand 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; whilstI had myself but one pound and a half, and half a pound of arrowroot; thenative had nothing left and was wholly dependant on me for hissubsistence. Now we had been seven days on our route, and had made butlittle more than seventy miles, and as the men were much weaker than whenthey first started it appeared to me to be extremely problematicalwhether we should ever reach Perth unless some plan different from whatwe had hitherto pursued was adopted. And even granting that we dideventually make this point, it was evident that we must previously besubjected to wants and necessities of the most cruel and distressingnature. 

NEW PLAN OF PROCEEDING. 

Yet it was quite manifest from recent events that the majority of theparty had not only made up their minds not to accelerate their movements, but had fully resolved to compel me to pursue their system of shortmarches and long halts. Being fully aware of the danger which threatenedthem, it remained for me to act with that decision which circumstancesappeared to require, and to proceed by rapid and forced marches to Perth, whence assistance could be sent out to the remainder. For this purpose itwas necessary that all those who accompanied me should be good walkersand resolute men; for if any accident happened to the portion of theparty I took with me, arising either from want of energy, want ofdiscipline, or any other causes, that portion of the party which remainedbehind would have been reduced to the last extremity. 

DIVIDE THE PARTY, AND PROCEED WITH THE STRONGEST TO PERTH FOR ASSISTANCE. ARRANGEMENTS AT STARTING. 

Having formed this resolution, it became necessary to make a selection ofthose who were to accompany me. In determining however upon this point Ihad but little difficulty; for it was evident that those men who duringour late toils had shown themselves the most capable of enduringhardships, privations, and the fatigue of long and rapid marches, werethose 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:

Corporal Auger, Corporal Coles, H. Woods, W. Hackney, Kaiber, the native, as those who were to accompany me, and left the remainder under thecommand of Mr. Walker. 

EMBARRASSMENT REGARDING THE CHART. 

In making my arrangements with Mr. Walker a very serious difficulty aroseupon his part, and one from which I immediately augured the worst ofconsequences. On quitting the boats I brought away with me Captain King'schart of the coast between North-west Cape and Cape Leeuwin, and hadhitherto carried it along with my papers and sketches. I wished Mr. Walker to take this chart with him for the purpose of recognising hisposition by means of the islands and headlands as he advanced along thecoast. No inducements upon my part could however persuade him to takecharge of it. It was in vain that I urged on him the well known fact thatnothing encourages men in a long journey so much as knowing the exactdistance they have travelled and what extent of country they have stillleft to traverse. It was in vain that I assured him he would, from hisinexperience in calculating distances in the bush, soon get confused inhis reckoning; and that the men, finding out his error, would lose alltrust and confidence in him, whence would spring want of discipline anddisorders of various kinds; he knew that I much valued this chart and hadapparently taken it into his head that I wished to disencumber myself ofit and to entail the duty of carrying it on him. 

He at length proposed to me to allow him to cut the chart up, in whichcase he said he would carry on the part he wanted and leave the rest. Iwould not however part with so valuable a document, for it contained myroute up to that point, and the public utility of the expedition mainlydepended on the preservation of it. He next requested me to make a copyof it for him; this I assured him under existing circumstances it wasutterly impossible for me to do with sufficient accuracy to answer theintended purpose, and I therefore would not attempt it. He then appliedto Mr. Smith, who coincided in my opinion; but ever willing to oblige hemade as accurate a copy as he could, which I in vain represented to Mr. Walker he would find utterly useless. His unreasonable reluctance howeverI could not overcome. 

POINT OF RENDEZVOUS FIXED. 

The next matter to arrange was what place should be fixed on as the pointof rendezvous to which assistance was to be sent to those who were leftto follow with Mr. Walker. This was soon arranged. Mr. Smith hadpreviously been with me to a place called Goonmarrarup, on the MooreRiver about fifty-five miles to the north of Perth; and it was agreedthat the party should proceed along the coast as they best could untilthey made the Moore River, where I would have another party stationedwith provisions to meet them; and in order that they might not pass thisriver it was settled that the party who went out to meet them shouldseparate into two, one of which would remain at this point on the MooreRiver, about twelve miles from the sea, whilst the other was to proceeddown to it, leaving, besides their tracks, marks to show where they hadpassed; and then, in the event of not finding those they were in searchof, this last detachment was to push still further northward to look forthem. 

As soon as the arrangements were concluded I assembled the men andpublicly repeated these directions to them; and to such as Clotworthy Iaddressed strong admonitions as to their future conduct. Many of them didnot appear to be in the least aware of the critical situation they wereplaced in; I however entertained great fears for the safety of some ofthem. Poor Smith was at this time in a very delicate state of health, andhis courage and gentleness had so endeared him to me that the sight ofhis 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 agreater degree of patient endurance; indeed had he not, from a mistakengood nature, been too familiar with the men, no one could have been moreadmirably adapted for the trying position in which he was placed; andeven as events turned out I doubt if anyone could have been found whowould have endured more, or would have gone through greater exertions tosave those under his command. 

The party I left, and who were not required to proceed by forced marches, consisted of:

Mr. Walker, Mr. Smith, Thomas Ruston, C. Woods, T. Stiles, A. Clotworthy. 

SEPARATION OF THE PARTY. ADVICE TO THOSE LEFT BEHIND. 

Before parting with Mr. Walker and Mr. Smith I again urged them to pushsteadily onwards and never to idle for an instant; but I do not thinkthat either of them were fully aware of the dangers they had to contendwith. Poor Smith, as he squeezed my hand, begged me to send out a horsefor him, if one could be procured, and also some tobacco; he said theonly thing he dreaded was want of water. 

Mr. Walker smiled and told me to look out for myself that he was not inPerth before me, and several others seemed to participate in his feelingand to regard my plan of proceeding as the height of folly. 

I left with Mr. Walker's party everything that was really useful, such asthe cooking saucepan and the only hatchet we had. These were veryvaluable to them, for had they come into a grass-tree country they mighthave 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 livedupon them for fourteen days. This very useful implement they howeverthrew away the second day after we parted. We also left them all thefishing-hooks. 

Mr. Walker's party instantly commenced on the system of halting, andinstead of moving on in the afternoon remained where they were that dayfor the purpose of resting themselves. 

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 thickwood which we found exceedingly difficult to traverse. We then continuedour south by east course for four miles further over undulating sandydowns, and halted for the night in a small clump of Banksia trees whichafforded plenty of wood for our fires. 

April 11. 

About an hour before daylight I roused the party, and as soon as it waslight enough to distinguish the surrounding objects we started. Our routelay along a series of undulating sandy hills which sloped down to afertile plain, four or five miles in width, on the western side of whichrose a low range of dunes, and beyond these was the sea. We found thewalking along these hills very difficult on account of the prickly scrubwith which they were covered, and the general appearance of the countryto the eastward was barren and unpromising. 

COURSE IMPEDED BY A THICK WOOD. 

The course I pursued was about south by east, but we soon found ourselvesembarrassed in thick woods through which it was almost impossible toforce a way: the trees were not large but so matted together that itrequired my utmost exertions to prevail upon the men to persist inpushing through them, indeed it will afterwards be found that these woodshad a most disastrous effect upon the spirits of that portion of theparty which followed me. It was however absolutely necessary to make ourway 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 eachdirection. 

I therefore gave a bold plunge into the bushes, followed by the nativeand slowly by the other men, who kept alternately groaning from fatigueand pain and uttering imprecations against the country they were in. Having cleared this wood I turned rather more inland, and we pursued ourroute over barren scrubby plains, and, after having travelled aboutfifteen miles over this uninteresting description of country, we suddenlyfound ourselves on the top of a low range which overlooked a mostluxuriant valley of about three miles in width, its general directionappearing to be from the east-south-east. 

THE ARROWSMITH RIVER. 

I immediately knew from the appearance of the country that we were nearsome large river; and whilst descending into the valley I indulged inspeculations as to the size of that we were about to discover, and as towhether Providence would grant me once again to drink a draught of coolriver water. 

I soon however began to fear that my expectations were to bedisappointed. We had already proceeded more than two miles of thedistance across the valley; and although the soil was rich and good wehad yet seen nothing but dry watercourses, inconsiderable in themselvesyet apparently when united forming a large river. I still howeverentertained hopes of finding water, for I saw numerous tracks of nativesabout, and the whole of this valley was an extensive warran ground inwhich they had that very morning been digging for their favourite root. 

At length, just as my patience began to wear out, we ascended, out of adry watercourse, a rise rather more elevated than the others we had metwith in crossing the valley; and from the summit of this a curious sightmet our view: beneath us lay the dry bed of a large river, its depth atthis point being between forty and fifty feet, and its breadth upwards ofthree hundred yards; it was at times subject to terrific inundations; foralong its banks lay the trunks of immense trees, giants of the forestwhich 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 whichscorched our eyeballs as the rays of the sun were reflected back from itswhite glistening bed. 

WATER FOUND IN IT BY DIGGING. 

I picked out the most shady spot I could for the men to halt at, thendescended into the bed of the river to search, with the native, forwater; and immediately on scraping a hole a few inches deep in the bed ofthe river the water came streaming into it, for the sand composing thebottom of the watercourse was completely saturated, and I afterwardsfound that there were large pools of it immediately above and below wherewe were. 

The wants of the men having been thus supplied I determined, as it wasintensely hot, to halt for an hour or two; we each of us therefore ate alittle 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 howprovidentially it happened that we had not fallen in with this river inthe season of the floods, as our crossing it then would have been utterlyimpossible. 

APPROACH OF NATIVES TO THE RIVER. 

But my reveries were soon disturbed by hearing the call of a native fromthe opposite bank, and I roused up poor Kaiber from his sleep that hemight ascertain what was going on upon the other side. His quick eyessoon detected natives moving about amongst the bushes; but on fartherexamination he ascertained that there was only one man, who walked as ifhe had been wounded, the rest of the party being made up of women andchildren, who were digging for roots. They were quite unconscious of ourpresence, and we lay snugly behind a bush, watching all their movements. As soon as they had dug a sufficient quantity of roots for their purposethey descended to the bed of the river and walked up to a pool about onehundred yards above our position, where they all drank and then sat downto cook their roots. I ordered the men to keep themselves as quiet aspossible so that we in no way disturbed these poor creatures; and when atlength the party moved off we passed them in a diagonal direction so asto give them an opportunity of seeing us without frightening them. Whenfirst we emerged into view they began to run away; but when they saw thatwe still moved steadily on without noticing them they were no longeralarmed, but stood still, gazing at us with the greatest wonder andamazement; the youngest children standing behind their mothers, peepingcautiously out at us; and many a strange thought must have passed throughthe breasts of these natives as they saw us wind in regular order up theopposite hill. This tribe was the most northern one that I had seen wearthe kangaroo-skin cloak. 

Another mile and a half in a south by east direction brought us to a lowrange to the south of this river, which I named the Arrowsmith Riverafter Mr. John Arrowsmith, the distinguished geographer. From this rangewe had a fine view of the rich valleys drained by this important stream. 

MOUNT HORNER. 

These valleys ran nearly north and south between the interior range andthe sandy limestone range parallel to the coast on which we now were; butthe river must also, of course, from its magnitude, penetrate theinterior range, which was only distant about sixteen miles from us. Avery remarkable peak in the latter, which bore east-north-east from thispoint, I named Mount Horner, after my friend Leonard Horner, Esquire. 

It appears from the report of the party who came along the coast thatthis river loses itself in a large lake, between which and the sea agreat bar of dry sand intervenes in the dry season; there is however avery fair proportion of good country in the neighbourhood of theArrowsmith. 

In the course of the evening we travelled six and a half miles further ina south-south-east direction, over barren, sandy, scrubby plains, whichextended on all sides as far as the eye could see, and even the interiorrange appeared to be perfectly bare. Towards nightfall we were all quiteworn out from the difficulty we had experienced in walking through theprickly scrub, yet I could see no place that afforded sufficient wood toenable us to make a fire and, as most of us had no covering with us, andthe nights were intensely cold, we had every prospect of passing a mostwretched one; but at length I spied two clumps of Banksia trees, thenearest of which we just reached as it became quite dark. The other clumpwas about a quarter of a mile to the eastward of us, at which I soondistinguished native fires; as the men were however much exhausted Ithought it better not to mention this circumstance to them, and Kaiberand myself, who always slept at a little fire alone, kept a good look outduring the night. 

This evening we found the Bohn or Boh-rne, a native esculent root, and itis the most northern point at which I have met with it. *

(*Footnote. A small red root somewhat resembling in flavour a mildonion. )

April 12. 

Before dawn this morning our native neighbours, who doubtless were notpleased at our sleeping so near them, began to cooee to each other, whichis their usual signal for collecting their forces; and, as our safetydepended upon none of the party being incapacitated by a wound or othercause from proceeding with the utmost rapidity, I at once roused the menand we resumed our way. 

CONTINUE OUR ROUTE. 

In the course of the day we made a march of twenty-five miles in asouth-south-east direction, the whole of this distance being acrosselevated undulating sandy plains, covered with a thick prickly scrub, about two and a half feet high; these plains were however occasionallystudded with a few Banksia trees, but anything more dark, cheerless, andbarren than their general appearance can scarcely be conceived. 

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 wasprobably a tributary of the Arrowsmith. We were fortunate enough to finda small pool of water in it, yet the large flights of birds of everydescription that came here for the purpose of drinking showed the rarityof water in these parts. We made several attempts to get a shot at thembut they were so wild, and we were so worn out and weak, that all ourexertions were unsuccessful. In the course of the evening one of the menmade up my last pound of flour into a damper for me, and I supped on aspoonful of arrowroot. 

SERIOUS ROBBBRY BY A RAT. 

April 13. 

On waking up this morning I found that in the night a rat had gnawed ahole in the canvas bag in which my little damper was placed, and hadeaten more than half of it; this was a very serious misfortune as all myprovisions were now reduced to three table-spoonfuls of arrowroot and themorsel of damper left me by the rat. As I had shared my provisions withthe native my situation was far worse than that of any of the others, andhe, poor fellow, had become so dispirited and weak that he was incapableof searching for his food. Indeed the productions of the country throughwhich he had hitherto passed were so different from those of the one inwhich he had lived that the various kinds of roots and vegetables were, with one or two exceptions, quite unknown to him. 

We made a very good march of it this morning, having travelled nineteenmiles in a nearly south direction before 12 o'clock. Soon after startingwe sighted Mount Perron, distant about two and twenty miles and, seenover the waste and barren plains which surrounded us, it was a veryremarkable object. 

We halted at noon for about two hours, during which time I made mybreakfast with Kaiber, sharing my remaining portion of damper between us. It was almost a satisfaction to me when it was gone, for, tormented bythe pangs of hunger, as I had now been for many days, I found that nearlythe whole of my time was passed in struggling with myself as to whether Ishould eat at once all the provisions I had left or refrain till a futurehour. Having completed this last morsel I occupied myself for a littlewith my journal, then read a few chapters in the New Testament and, having fulfilled these duties, I felt myself as contented and cheerful asI had ever been in the most fortunate moments of my life. 

GAIRDNER'S RANGE. 

Soon after two P. M. We resumed our journey, travelling for about eightmiles in a due south direction over plains similar to those we had passedyesterday and this morning, and then began to ascend a red sandstonerange of the same description as the Perth ironstone and thinly studdedwith black bay trees. I named this range Gairdner's Range after my friendGordon Gairdner, Esquire, of the Colonial Office and, after continuing agradual ascent for about four miles, I found that we were in theneighbourhood of a forest, at the outskirts of which I chose a spot forour halting-place, which afforded plenty of firewood but was deficient inwater. As we had now however marched thirty-one miles without seeingwater, and were all perfectly worn out, I judged it more prudent to haltwhere we were. 

FIND SOME EDIBLE ZAMIA NUTS. 

Kaiber here brought in some of the nuts of the Zamia tree; they were dryand therefore in a fit state to eat. I accordingly shared them amongstthe party. Several of the men then straggled off to look for more, andwere imprudent enough, before I found out what they were doing, to eatseveral of the nuts which were not sufficiently dried, the consequencesof which were that they were seized with violent fits of vomitingaccompanied by vertigo and other distressing symptoms; these howevergradually abated during the night, and in the morning, although renderedmore weak than they were before, the poor fellows were still able toresume their march. 

GENEROUS CONDUCT OF ONE OF THE MEN. 

Soon after the fires had been lighted I was sitting alone by mine, as theshadows of night were just falling over the wild hilly scenery with whichwe were surrounded; I had no water to cook a portion of the threespoonfuls of arrowroot yet left me, and I saw each of the otherspreparing his scanty portion of food. The native had at this time goneaway to look for Zamia nuts, and it may be imagined that many almostundefined feelings at such a time thronged rapidly through my mind. Whilst thus thinking I heard Hackney propose to Woods to offer me a shareof their little store of food: "No, " said Woods; "everyone for himselfunder these circumstances; let Mr. Grey do as well as he can and I willdo 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 andpressed me to accept a morsel of damper about the size of a walnut. Ihesitated at first whether to do so or not, but, being aware that when wecame into a country where game was to be found I could, by means of mygun, provide enough amply to repay this lad, I took it, after severalrefusals and having it as often warmly pressed upon me. 

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 atthe remark of Woods. 

CHAPTER 4. FROM GAIRDNER'S RANGE TO PERTH. 

THE HILL RIVER. 

Sunday April 14. 

We travelled about fourteen miles due south over a range of highironstone hills which were occasionally clothed with grass-trees. Thescrub was however still thick, prickly, and very difficult to penetrate;the heat was intense and the whole party were getting very weak. Aboutnoon, and when we had just gained a commanding summit, I looked back atMount Perron, now several miles in our rear; from this point we began todescend into an extensive valley, and at the end of fourteen milesreached a small river which I named the Hill. 

DISCOVERY AND PILLAGE OF A NATIVE PROVISION STORE. 

We halted at the first pool we came to and the men, who had a littleflour left, boiled two tablespoonfuls of this in about a pint and a halfof water, thus making what they called soup. In the meantime Kaiber camein 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 thesame time requested permission to steal them. 

(*Footnote. The nut of the Zamia tree. )

I reflected for some time on his proposal; I was reluctant to mark thefirst approach of civilized man to this country of a savage race by anunprovoked act of pillage and robbery; yet we were now in the desert, onthe point of perishing for want of food, the pangs of hunger gnawing useven in our very sleep, and with the means of temporary relief at hand. Iasked 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, whichseemed providentially offered to us, without pointing it out. 

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 hasstolen here: track his footsteps, spear him through the heart; whereforehas he stolen our hidden food?' But if we take what is buried in one holethey will say, 'Hungry people have been here; they were very empty, andnow their bellies are full; they may be sorcerers; now they will not eatus as we sleep. '" Good, it is good, Kaiber, " I replied; "come with me andwe will rob one hole. " And accordingly we went and took the contents ofone, leaving three others undisturbed. I brought back these nuts to themen and we shared them amongst us. 

We were so weary that we did not start until late in the afternoon, andthen travelled south by east down the course of the river, making aboutsix miles. It was joined by many small tributaries and now became arunning stream flowing through a deep grassy valley in which were manylarge flats. In the course of the afternoon some of the men had a shot ata native dog; he was a fine fat fellow; but they were unsuccessful andnever did I feel more disappointed than when I saw him cantering awaydesperately frightened but perfectly uninjured. I was sufficientlyfortunate to shoot a hawk just before nightfall, and we then halted bythe side of the river, lighted our fires, and laid down to sleep. 

April 15. 

In the course of the night I had cooked the hawk which I shot yesterdayand before starting divided it as follows: I gave the head, entrails, andshanks to the native; then cutting the residue in half I gave one part toHackney, who had so generously shared his morsel of damper with me, andkept the remaining portion for myself. Poor Hackney's wan and wastedcountenance glowed with pleasure when this acceptable gift was placed inhis hands, and I felt no slight degree of satisfaction in having anopportunity of showing him that I felt grateful for his act of generosityto me. 

We now followed the course of the river for about two miles further andsaw a considerable quantity of good land along its banks, clothed withfeed for stock; but I cannot tell how far back this extends. 

The river now ran away nearly due west under a low range of hills; andstill adhering to my original plan I quitted its banks and continued mycourse straight for Perth, travelling in a south by east direction. Thenext two and a half miles led us to the top of a low range. The wholetract of country between this point and the river was arid and barren inthe 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 thefirst time since quitting Moresby's Flat-topped Range saw that the one tothe east of us became well wooded, the interval between these two pointshaving been completely bare of trees. 

BARREN COUNTRY. 

I now halted for about an hour and a half to rest the wearied men, andthen again commenced our route over this barren waste. For the nexttwelve miles we travelled down a gentle descent leading to a very deepvalley, and late in the evening reached some dried up swamps where wemade 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 withoutsuccess. As the day had been intensely hot and we had tasted no watersince morning we suffered a great deal from want of it, but were atlength compelled by darkness to lie down to rest without finding any. 

DRY BED OF THE SMITH RIVER. 

April 16. 

We had not travelled above two miles this morning in an east-south-eastdirection when I found that we had reached the bottom of the valley intowhich we had yesterday evening commenced our descent. In this valley laythe dried up bed of a considerable stream, which I have named the Smithafter my unfortunate friend. Its direction was from north-east to south. 

LONG AND UTTER DESTITUTION OF FOOD AND WATER. SUFFERINGS FROM THIRST. 

As we were now suffering a good deal from thirst we made a search in bothdirections along the bed, but although there were many pools (some ofthem being twelve or fourteen feet deep) we could not find the slightestindication of water having stood in them for a considerable time: in thebottom of one of the deepest of these pools was a native well, dug to thedepth of about seven feet, but even at this distance below the surface wecould see no signs whatever of water. There was much good land in thevalley through which this watercourse wound, but all was barren and arid. In the course of the morning we had seen a flight of cockatoos comingfrom 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 thatdirection in the interior, and the natives subsequently stated that suchwas the case, but our circumstances would not admit such a deviation fromour course in a search which if unsuccessful would have proved fatal. 

DISTRESSING SEARCH FOR WATER. 

The sun had by this time become intensely hot, and the poor fellows grewfaint for want of water, whilst it aggravated their sufferings that theystood upon the brink of a river, or wandered along its banks with eagerpiercing eyes, and an air of intense scrutinizing watchfulness peculiarto those who search for that on which their lives depend. One while theyexplored a shallow stony part of the bed, which was parched up andblackened by the fiery sun; their steps were slow and listless, and Icould plainly see how faint, weak, and weary they were; the next minuteanother pool would be discerned ahead, the depth of which the eye couldnot at a distance reach; now they hurried on towards it with a dreadfullook 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 ofutter despair. As long as they remained on the banks of this river bed aglimmering of hope remained; but I felt convinced from the generalappearance of the country that there was not the slightest probability ofour finding water there, and resolved therefore still to continue adirect route. When I gave this order the weak-minded quailed before it:they would rather have perished in wandering up and down those arid andinhospitable banks than have made a great effort and have torn themselvesaway from the vain and delusive hopes this watercourse held out to them. 

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 energiesfor other occasions; suspecting that we were in a great tract of desertcountry, a large portion of which must still be passed ere we could hopefor any alleviation from our sufferings; and I therefore at oncecommenced carrying into execution the order I had given, by walking on ina south by east direction. In about two miles we had gained the summit ofthe low range which bounded to the southward the valley where we had sovainly searched for water, and for the next ten miles we travelled overelevated sandy barren plains, thinly wooded with occasional clumps ofBanksia trees. 

DRY TEA-TREE SWAMP. 

On our left was a lofty and well wooded range, distant only about fourmiles, and on our right lay extensive plains, the western extremity ofwhich, distant about sixteen miles from us, was by the sea; these plainsappeared tolerably fertile, being covered with tea-tree swamps, nowapparently dried up. I still was led on by the hope, raised by the heightof the range on our left, that we might find water issuing from ittowards the coast, and had therefore not searched the plains which laybetween us and the sea, indeed I felt fully convinced that the swamps wesaw were all perfectly dry and the native coincided in my opinion; aboutan hour before sunset however we descended towards the plains, andturning due west we reached them in about half an hour, but found all theswamps quite destitute of water. As soon as it became dark I lit my fireand laid down by it, advising the others to pursue the same course and topreserve their energies for the morrow. But such advice was thrown awayupon men almost perishing with thirst, and every now and then throughoutthe night I heard their weak husky voices as they wandered from swamp toswamp in the neighbourhood, digging holes with pointed sticks in a vainsearch. 

NATIVE SONGS. 

Poor Kaiber alone lay crouching by my fire, occasionally feeding it withfresh fuel and chanting to himself these two songs, in his own language:

Thither, mother oh, I return again, Thither oh, I return again. 

The other had been sung by the mother of Miago, a native who hadaccompanied Captain Wickham in the Beagle from the Swan River, and it hadmade a great impression on the natives. 

Whither does that lone ship wander, My young son I shall never see again. Whither does that lone ship wander. 

EXTREME FEEBLENESS OF THE PARTY. 

The night wore heavily on; sleepless sufferers were around me, and Imyself 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 asingle drop of water or food of any kind whatever, for as the onlyprovisions they had left was a spoonful or two of flour each it wasimpossible for them to cook this without water; indeed only two of themhad even this small supply of flour left, and the rest were whollydestitute. 

I personally suffered far less than any of the others with the exceptionof the native, and this for several reasons. In the first place I hadbeen long accustomed to subsist on a very small quantity of water, andsecondly I had always kept my mind occupied and amused instead of givingway to desponding or gloomy thoughts. When we halted and the others laidwearily down, brooding over their melancholy situation, I employed myselfin writing up my journal, which was most scrupulously kept; and this dutybeing concluded I had recourse to a small New Testament, my companionthroughout all my wanderings, and from this latter I drank in such deepdraughts of comfort that my spirits were always good. 

DANGER OF PERISHING FOR WANT OF WATER. 

April 17. 

About an hour and a half before dawn we started in a south by eastdirection, the native leading the way, for it was yet too dark for me toselect points to march upon. As we moved along we moistened our mouths bysucking a few drops of dew from the shrubs and reeds, but even thismiserable resource failed us almost immediately after sunrise. The menwere so worn out from fatigue and want of food and water that I could getthem but a few hundred yards at a time, then some one of them would sitdown and beg me so earnestly to stop for a few minutes that I could notrefuse acceding to the request; when however I thus halted the native inevery instance expressed his indignation, telling me that it wassacrificing his safety as well as those of the others who were able tomove, for that if we did not find water ere night the whole party woulddie. He was indeed as weak from want of food as any of us, for we hadmade such rapid and lengthy marches in the hope of speedily forwardingassistance to those left behind that when we came at night to theconclusion of our day's journey Kaiber was too much exhausted to think oflooking for food. 

About two o'clock in the afternoon the men were so completely exhaustedthat it was impossible to induce them to move, and at this period I foundthat 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 uptea-tree swamps. 

When I halted the sun was intensely powerful; the groans and exclamationsof some of the men were painful in the extreme; but my feelings werestill more agonized when I saw the poor creatures driven, by the want ofwater, to drink their own ----, the last sad and revolting resource ofthirst!

UNSUCCESSFUL SEARCH FOR WATER WITH KAIBER. 

Unable to bear these distressing scenes any longer I ordered Kaiber toaccompany me, and notwithstanding the heat and my own weariness I leftthe others lying down in such slight shade as the stunted banksiasafforded, and throwing aside all my ammunition, papers, etc. , startedwith him in search of water, carrying nothing but my double-barrelledgun. We proceeded towards the sea. As the natives have the faculty, evenin the trackless woods which they have never before been in, of returningdirect to any spot they have left by however circuitous a course they mayhave travelled after quitting it, I paid no attention to the direction wewere moving in but followed Kaiber, who roamed from spot to spot in thevain search of water; but we found not a drop. The same arid barrencountry seemed spread on every side; and when at length I beganoccasionally to stumble and fall from weakness hope abandoned me, and Idetermined to return direct to my comrades and get them to make one moreeffort to proceed and search for it in a southerly direction. 

TREACHEROUS INTENTIONS OF KAIBER, THE NATIVE. 

I therefore told Kaiber that such was my intention, and directed him toguide me to the party. With apparent alacrity he obeyed my orders; butafter leading me about some time in an extraordinary manner he told methat he had lost his way and could not find them. His look was so veryplausible when he said this, and he seemed so grieved at thecircumstance, that for a moment I believed his tale; but I felt convincedthat we could not be at any very great distance from them and thereforefired one barrel of my gun; the echo of this sound, never heard in thesesolitudes before, rang loudly through the woods, remoter distances caughtit up, and at length it gradually died away: anxiously did I now listenfor a repetition of the report, for I knew, were they within hearing, themen would instantly fire again to acknowledge the signal I had made; butminute after minute passed on and no answering signal struck my ear. Isat down and applied my ear to the ground; every sense became absorbed inthe single one of hearing, but not the remotest sound that I coulddistinguish broke the frightful solitude of these vast woods. I remainedseated on the ground for a few minutes, still hearing no answer to myshot, till the conviction gradually forced itself on my mind that thenative had been leading me astray. Only two cases could have occurred:either he had done so purposely, for he could not, by any accidentalmistake, have taken me to such a distance as to prevent the party inthese silent woods hearing the report of my gun, or otherwise the men hadof themselves moved away from the place where I had left them. But I feltassured that this latter supposition was not correct, for ever since Iquitted the other portion of the party I had maintained so strict adiscipline that no man ever separated from the rest without mypermission; indeed I had increased my strictness in these respectsexactly in proportion to our increasing difficulties; and I moreover feltsure that some of the men were by far too much attached to me ever toabandon me in such a manner. 

My situation however was undoubtedly very critical, not as far asregarded my own safety, for I was not now more than eighty miles from thenearest settler's hut; but was it possible for me to return alone to mycountrymen and to say that I had lost all my comrades? that I had savedmyself and left the others to perish? Yet I knew that unless I sentassistance to the first party I had left the majority of them could notsurvive; and from the state I had, about an hour and a half ago, left theothers in, it appeared more than probable that they might wait and waitanxiously, expecting my return, until too weak to move, and thus diemiserably in the woods. 

These thoughts thronged rapidly through my mind. Indeed I was obliged todo all things quickly now for I felt that my existence depended upon myfinding water within the next three or four hours. The native satopposite to me on the ground, his keen savage eye watching the expressionof my countenance, as each thought flitted across it. I saw that he wastrying to read my feelings; and he at length thus broke the silence:

"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 shallthen be weak and unable. The others sit down too much; they are weak andcannot walk: if we remain with them we shall all die; but we two arestill 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 nextsun gets up we shall cross another running water. " He paused for aminute, looking steadfastly at me, and then added, "You must leave theothers, for I know not where they are, and we shall die in trying to findthem. "

HIS DESIGNS FRUSTRATED. 

I now knew that he was playing me false and that he had purposely led meastray. He was too great a coward to move on alone for fear of othernatives and, dreading to lose his life by thirst, he had hit upon thisexpedient 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 beforethat sun falls behind the hills I will shoot you; as it begins to sinkyou die. " I said these words, looking at him steadily in the face, andwith the full intention of putting my threat into execution. He saw this, and yet strove to appear unconcerned, and with a forced laugh said, "Youplay. From daylight until now you and I have walked; we have wasted ourstrength now in looking for water for the others. But a short time, andwe shall be dead; and you say, search for men whom I cannot find; youtell me, look; and I know not where to look. " I now lost all patiencewith him and replied: "Kaiber, deceive as you will, you cannot deceiveme; 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 havewe wandered since we left them, and very distant from us are they nowsitting. " I could bear this no longer, and, starting up, said, "Youdeceive: the sun falls! just now I spoke: Koolyum, nganga dabbut--garrumwangaga. " Again he forced a laugh and said, "Surely, you play. " Ianswered shortly, "Did I ever tell you a lie, Kaiber? I now speak thetruth. "

RETURN TO THE PARTY WITHOUT WATER. 

He seemed, when he saw that I was so determined, to feel a littleuncomfortable, and shifting his position moved rather further from me;this motion on his part induced me to conceive that he intended to runaway; in which case I could never again have hoped to rejoin the party; Itherefore instantly cocked the remaining barrel of my gun and presentedit at him, telling him that if he ever moved from me further than acertain tree which I pointed out I would forthwith shoot him, instead ofwaiting until sunset as I had originally intended. The decided manner inwhich I announced this to my friend Kaiber had the desired effect. Hemade a few protestations as to the folly of my conduct; lamented mostloudly that his mother, and the Dandalup (a river of his own land) wereso far removed from him; asserted vehemently that the natives of theseparts were bandy-legged, rough-tongued beings; that they eat earth anddrank no water; and, winding-up with a fervent wish that he might catchone of them wandering anywhere between Pinjarup and Mandurup, in whichcase he would spear his heart, his kidney, and his liver, he sulkilyresumed his route and led me straight back to the party in about an hour. 

DISTRESSING SYMPTOMS OF EXTREME THIRST. 

The men, who had been much surprised at the length of my absence, were atfirst buoyed up with the hope that I had found water; but this hope hadat last died away, and they knew not what to conjecture. They were allreduced to the last degree of weakness and want; indeed I myself was atthis period suffering from the most distressing symptoms of thirst; notonly was my mouth parched, burning, and devoid of moisture, but thesenses of sight and hearing became much affected; I could scarcelyrecognise the voices of the rest; and when uncouth unnatural tones struckupon my ear it took me some time to collect my thoughts in order tounderstand what was said, somewhat in the way in which one is obliged toact when roused suddenly from a deep sleep. In the same manner my sighthad become feeble and indistinct; but by far the most distressingsensation was that experienced upon rising up after having rested for afew moments. I then felt the blood rush violently to the head, and thefeeling produced was as if it were driven by a forcing-pump through allmy veins. 

LAST EFFORTS. 

Previously to starting again I gave the men orders, which I believed atthe time would be, to some at least, the last. I did not attempt to hidefrom them the dangers which surrounded us; but stating these Irepresented that matters had now arrived at such a crisis that, in theevent of any of them being unable to proceed, it would be wrong to expectthe others to halt on their account; and I therefore called upon all toexert their utmost energies and boldly to make a last struggle for theirlives. My intention, I told them, was to proceed slowly but steadily tothe 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 Ishould not wait for them but still pursue a steady and undeviating courseuntil water was found; but as soon as I had slaked my own thirst I wouldreturn and bring assistance to those who might have been unable to comeon with me. 

PAINFUL MARCH. 

Having thus imparted my intentions I ordered them to throw away everysuperfluous article; and a very valuable sextant, which had hitherto beencarried turn about by Corporals Auger and Coles, was here abandoned. These our preparations having been made we moved slowly on in sadprocession, and never shall I forget the wild and haggard looks of thosethat followed me; reason had begun to hold but a very slight influenceover some, and I feel assured that had it not been for the force of thatdiscipline which I rigidly maintained some of the party must now havelost their lives. As it was, not a word of complaint was heard as to theplan I pursued or the route I took; but they all reeled and staggeredafter me, the silence being only broken by groans and exclamations. Ipreserved a slow uniform pace, proceeding still in a south by eastdirection, that is, in a straight line for Perth. The same sandy sterilecountry was around, thinly clothed with Banksia trees. 

We had marched for about an hour and a quarter and in this time had onlymade two miles, when we suddenly arrived upon the edge of a dried-up bedof a sedgy swamp, which lay in the centre of a small plain, where we sawthe foot-mark of a native imprinted on the sand, and again our heartsbeat with hope, for this sign appeared to announce that we were once moreentering the regions of animal life. We soon found that another part ofthe swamp was thickly marked with the footsteps of women and children;and as no water-baskets were scattered about no doubt could exist butthat we were in the vicinity of water. We soon discovered several nativewells dug in the bed of the swamp; but these were all dry, and I beganagain to fear that I was disappointed, when Kaiber suddenly started upfrom a thick bed of reeds and made me a sign which was unobserved by theothers, as was evidently his intention. 

FORTUNATE DISCOVERY OF A MOIST MUD-HOLE. PROVIDENTIAL SUPPLY. 

I hurried up and found him with his head buried in a small hole of moistmud, for I can call it nothing else. I very deliberately raised Kaiber bythe hair, as all expostulations to him were useless, and then called upthe others. 

Kaiber had completely swelled himself out with this thick muddy liquid, and from the mark upon the sides of the hole had evidently consumed morethan half of the total supply. I first of all took some of this moist mudin my mouth, but finding a difficulty in swallowing it, as it was sothick, I strained a portion through a handkerchief. We had thirsted withan intense and burning thirst for three days and two nights, during thegreater portion of which time we had been taking violent exercise under afierce sun. To conceive the delight of the men when they arrived at thislittle hole of mud would be difficult. Each, as he came up and cast hiswearied limbs on the ground beside the hole, uttered these words: "ThankGod;" and then greedily swallowed a few mouthfuls of the liquid mud, protesting that it was the most delicious water and had a peculiarflavour which rendered it far superior to any other he had ever tasted. 

DANGER OF PERISHING FROM HUNGER. 

But it required some time before their faculties were sufficientlyrecovered to allow them duly to estimate the magnitude of the danger theyhad escaped. The small portion of muddy water in the hole was soonfinished, and then by scraping it out clean we found that water beganslowly to trickle into it again. The men now laid themselves down almostin a state of stupefaction, and rested by their treasured pool. I felthowever that great calls upon my energies might still arise, andtherefore, retiring a little apart with the native, I first of allreturned hearty thanks to my Maker for the dangers and sufferings he hadthus brought me through, and then tottered on with my gun in search offood. As might have been expected, game was here plentiful: numerouspigeons 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 birdsof different kinds that congregated here was a most convincing proof ofthe general aridity of this part of the country. Indeed the nativessubsequently reported that the tract we had just traversed was at thisseason of the year totally devoid of water. It was in vain now that Iraised the gun, for my tremulous hand shook so that I could not for amoment cover the bird I aimed at, and after one or two ineffectualattempts to kill something I was obliged to desist in despair. 

PANGS OF HUNGER. 

I now dreaded that I had only escaped the pains of death by thirst inorder to perish of hunger, and for a moment regretted that I had not diedere I found water, for I firmly believed, from the state of weakness Iwas then reduced to, that the bitterness of death had passed. But a shortperiod sufficed to smother these unmanly and unchristian feelings in mybreast, and, seeing a flight of black cockatoos soaring about in the air, I determined to watch them to their roosting-place, and then favoured bythe darkness of night to steal upon them. On my return to the party Ifound the men sitting by the hole of water, anxiously watching until theyagain saw a little black mud in it, which they then eagerly swallowed. 

I found some difficulty in inducing them to light their fire and tochoose a situation where they could repose for the night, but, havingaccomplished this, I sat down by my own, hand-rubbing my limbs until itshould grow rather darker. At length I had the pleasure of seeing thatthe black cockatoos, who found we were not likely to leave them inpossession of the water, had taken up their position for the night in alarge clump of trees distant not more than half a mile, and I hereuponstarted with Kaiber to try and get a shot at them. 

SHOOT AND COOK A COCKATOO. 

After about an hour's wandering and excitement such only as the desperategambler can know whose life depends upon the stake for which he plays, Isucceeded in getting a shot into a whole flight of roosting and snoringblack cockatoos, and one fell. I pounced in triumph on it and received abite which, famishing as I was, somewhat damped my ardour; Kaiber howeverhit it upon the head with a stick, and we then bore it off to our fire. 

The men had cooked one spoonful of flour each in the liquid mud which thepool afforded, and assured me that they found this thick water verynourishing; whence I concluded that the large portion of mud it containedin some degree gratified the cravings of the stomach. Kaiber soon pluckedthe cockatoo and roasted it: I gave him the entrails, the feet, and thefirst joint of the legs, eating the head and thighs myself and reservingthe other portions as a store against future emergencies. I now feltassured that my life was saved and, rendering thanks to God for his manymercies, I laid down by the fire to watch for the first appearance ofdawn. 

April 18. 

The men slept but little during the night: every now and then one of themvisited the hole of mud and water to see if a little of this fluid haddrained into it, and about an hour before daylight I roused them up toproceed upon their journey. They were dreadfully feeble though upon thewhole stronger than they had been for the last three days. We now enteredupon a more hilly country than we had traversed yesterday; the hills weresteep, being composed of sand and recent limestone, whilst the valleyswere thickly wooded with grass-trees and stunted Banksias. The generalline of route I followed was south by east, and we had not travelled morethan nine miles when we came suddenly upon a valley with a river runningrapidly through it. The sight of this cheered us up; and when on tastingthe water we found it excellent, and saw adhering to the banks a speciesof freshwater mussel (Unio) called by the natives Maraylya, our joy wascomplete. 

SUPERSTITIOUS FEELINGS OF KAIBER REGARDING MUSSELS. 

I proceeded therefore to collect wood for my fire and ordered Kaiber tomake haste and gather some of these mussels, an order which, consideringthe hungry state he was in, I imagined he would gladly have obeyed; butto my astonishment he refused positively to touch one of them, andevidently regarded them with a superstitious dread and abhorrence. Myarguments to induce him to move were all thrown away; he constantlyaffirmed that if he touched these shellfish through their agency theBoyl-yas* would acquire some mysterious influence over him, which wouldend in his death. He could not state a recent instance of any ill effectshaving happened from handling or catching the mussel; but when I tauntedhim with this he very shrewdly replied that his inability to do so onlyarose from the fact of nobody being "wooden-headed enough" to meddle withthem, and that he intended to have nothing whatever to do with them. Thismuch he assured me was certain: that a very very long time ago somenatives had eaten them, and that bad spirits had immediately killed themfor so doing. 

(*Footnote. The Boyl-ya is the native sorcerer. )

Kaiber was a great deal too sensible a fellow to be allowed to remain aprey to so ridiculous a superstition as this was; I therefore ordered himinstantly to go and bring some of these mussels to me; that I intended toeat 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 awayfor this purpose; but I heard him, whilst occupied in the task, lamentinghis fate most bitterly. It was true, he said, that he had not died eitherof hunger or thirst, but this was all owing to his courage and strongsinews, yet what would these avail against the supernatural powers of theboyl-yas. "They will eat me at night, whilst, worn out by fatigue, I mustsleep. " Amidst these and sundry other similar exclamations he brought themussels to me: by this time my fire was prepared, and in a few minutes Iwas making such a meal as the weak state of my stomach would admit of. Noinducement of mine could however prevail upon Kaiber to share with me, and I therefore handed him the remains of the cockatoo. 

As soon as my repast was concluded I walked about three miles up theriver in the hopes of getting a duck, Kaiber accompanying me. We sawseveral but killed none. There were some fine reaches in the river, aswell as some good flats along its banks. 

In the afternoon we travelled about three miles in a south by eastdirection, and then came to the bed of a small stream, which ran fromeast to west but was now merely a chain of pools. Across the bed where wepassed it was a native weir. Our route during the whole evening lay overhills of a nature similar to those we passed yesterday. We did not haltuntil it was so dark that we could not see to walk, and then just droppedat the spot where we ceased to move. 

DISTRESS FROM COLD. 

The men made their fire and I lighted mine from theirs; but scarcely wasthis done ere the rain fell in torrents. I had no blankets or protectionof any kind against this, and Kaiber was in the same predicament; so thatwhen the fire was extinguished our position became pitiable in theextreme, for I know not if I ever before suffered so much from cold; andto add to my annoyance I every now and then heard Kaiber chattering tohimself, under its effects, rather than singing:

Oh wherefore did he eat the mussels?Now the boyl-yas storms and thunder make;Oh wherefore would he eat the mussels?"

At last I so completely lost my temper that I roared out, "Youstone-headed fellow, Kaiber, if you talk of mussels again, I'll beatyou. " "What spoke I this morning?" replied Kaiber; "you are stone-headed. We shall be dead directly; wherefore ate you the mussels?" This wasbeyond what my patience in my present starved state could endure, so Igot up and began to grope about for a stick or something to throw in thedirection of the chattering blockhead; but he begged me to remain quiet, promising faithfully to make no more mention of the mussels. I thereforesquatted down, in a state of the most abject wretchedness. 

CRIPPLED STATE OF THE MEN. 

I nearly expired from cold and pain during this inclement night; therheumatism in the hip in which I had been wounded was dreadful, and Ilost the power of moving my extremities from cold. Kaiber must havesuffered even more for he had nothing but a shirt on, whereas I had alsoa pair of trousers. The men were in somewhat better condition for theyhad a blanket, or rather a piece of one, between each two, and lyingtogether they afforded one another mutual warmth. The long starvationwhich we had undergone had totally unfitted us all to cope with anythinglike cold. 

April 19. 

The rain and clouds protracted the morning dawn until late, whichsomewhat lengthened our miseries. As soon however as it was light enoughto see our way we started, and moved slowly onwards in a south by eastdirection. The men were all completely crippled from the cold of thenight, and it was with the greatest difficulty I could get either them orthe native to move. My own energies were however only raised from thesecalls upon them, and I cheered them on as well as I could. CorporalColes, my faithful and tried companion in all my wanderings, couldscarcely crawl along. The flesh was completely torn away from one of hisheels, and the irritation caused by this had produced a large swelling inthe groin. Nothing but his own strong fortitude, aided by theencouragement given him by myself and his comrades, could have made himmove under his great agony. 

Still however we advanced slowly; other lives depended on our exertions;and whenever I reminded the men of this for a minute or two theyquickened their pace. Pale, wasted, and weak, we still crawled onwards inthe straight line for Perth, which I assured them they would reach onSaturday night or Sunday morning. 

RIVER OF RUNNING WATER. PASS THE MOORE RIVER. 

About two hours and a half after starting we crossed the southern branchof the Moore River, which was running strong; but the rain, which hadonly just ceased, prevented our being thirsty. 

The whole of this day's route lay over hills similar to those we hadfound yesterday. We moved on, occasionally halting for a few minutes, until it was so dark we could no longer see, and then laid down, havingagain this day tasted no food. 

MISERY FROM RAIN AND COLD. 

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. 

DESPONDING FEELINGS. 

April 20. 

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 theothers must have experienced a similar feeling. A disinclination to movepervaded the whole, and I had much the same desire to sink into the sleepof death, that one feels to take a second slumber of a morning aftergreat fatigue. My life was not worth the magnitude of the effort that itcost me to move; but other lives depended on mine, so I rose up weak andgiddy and by degrees induced the rest to start also. Poor Coles howeverwas in a dreadful state. 

The country through which we were travelling is intersected by a longline of lakes which run nearly parallel to the sea for a distance ofabout forty-five miles. One of the party had travelled in the samedirection with me before, but we had then kept along the edge of thelakes. He had imagined however that they were only two or three milesdistant 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 thesea, and this man seeing nothing of the lakes could not be convinced thatI was right in the position I said we then were; for I assured the menthey were not more than twenty-seven or twenty-eight miles to the northof Perth; but I heard him relating his doubts, which tended to discouragethe others very much. 

A PARTY OF NATIVES. 

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 abouta mile and a quarter an hour, when we suddenly came out on the bed of adried-up swamp, now looking like a desert of white sand studded withreeds. The forms of natives were seen wandering about this, one mile fromus, who were searching for frogs. There was a very numerous party, andthey did not appear at all inclined to approach us. Now it was veryevident that if we were so near Perth as I imagined these natives must bewell acquainted with Europeans; for although but very little was known ofthe country to the north of Perth, and the farthest settlement in thatdirection was only four miles from the town, still the natives must, frommere curiosity, have been frequently in the settlement. 

JOYFUL INTERVIEW WITH A FRIENDLY TRIBE. KAIBER'S OPINION OF THEM. 

We therefore approached them but as we came near they withdrew. Kaiberwas 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 kurrangkombar, " or great bush fury, on them, or rather, were subject to wilduntutored rage. After making this announcement he squatted down under abush to conceal himself, and then recapitulating rapidly all the dangerswe had gone through, conjured me not to bring him into a fresh scrape byhaving anything to do with such a numerous party of his countrymen in ourpresent weak state. 

The men, who understood enough of what he was saying to know that hethought these natives had never seen Europeans, became extremely uneasyand begged me to allow them to fire a gun as a signal to them: "For if weare so near Perth as you suppose, Sir, " they said to me, "these nativeswill come to us. " Kaiber hereupon told me that the instant the gun wasfired he should run away. This was rather too ridiculous a threat whenthe coward was afraid to move five yards from us; I therefore ordered agun to be fired, and then, telling the men to remain steady and preparedin case of accident, I walked off towards the natives, Kaiber, in themeanwhile, sitting on his haunches under cover, muttering to himself, "The swan, the big head, the stone forehead;" and, as these denunciationsreached me, I could not, even in all my misery, forbear smiling at them. 

DISCOVERED TO BE FRIENDS. 

The natives no sooner heard the gun and saw me approaching than they camerunning to me. Presently Kaiber called out to me, "Mr. Grey, Mr. Grey, nadjoo watto, nginnee yalga nginnow, " "Mr. Grey, Mr. Grey, I am going tothem; you sit here a little;" and he then, with his long thin ungainlylegs, bounded by me like a deer. "Imbat, friend, " I heard him cry out, asa 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 myparty were safe. In a few minutes Kaiber had given an outline of ouradventures and present state. Fearing such mischances as had reallyhappened to me, I had, previously to my departure to the north, done myutmost to cultivate the friendship of the northern natives; and most ofthem, even to the distance of sixty or seventy miles from Perth in thatdirection, had received presents from me. My name was well known amongstthem 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. 

HOSPITABLE RECEPTION BY THEM. 

The women were soon called up, bark baskets of frogs opened for us, by-yunuts roasted, and as a special delicacy I obtained a small fresh-watertortoise. "Now, friend, sleep whilst I cook, " said Imbat, and lighting afire he made me lie down and try to slumber whilst he roasted some frogsand the turtle for me. I was not over-well pleased at the skill he choseto exhibit in his cookery, for he thereby delayed me for a longer timethan was agreeable, but we were all soon regaling on this native fare. 

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, "whilstthe sun was still small;" and on further enquiry it turned out that akangaroo hunter of the name of Porley was at a hut distant only sevenmiles from us, and according to the account of the natives he had asupply of provisions with him. As soon therefore as I had a littlerecruited my strength I started on with Imbat to the hut, leaving the mento follow in company with the other natives as rapidly as their strengthwould allow them. Imbat carried my gun and everything but a book or twoand my papers, which, being precious documents, I had never trusted outof my own possession, however heavy my labours and misfortunes had been. He moved merrily along, trying to win me from my moody thoughts byrelating all the news of the settlement both as concerned the Europeansand natives; for like all other idle people the natives are great gossipsand really love a little scandal. Worn out from fatigue, I was ratherpetulant and ill-tempered, but Imbat talked on unmindful of this, or onlylaughed at me, and jeered me for it. 

IMBAT'S NOTIONS. 

My intentions in going on were to have everything prepared for the men ontheir arrival at the hut; but when I reached it I found it deserted, theowner having returned to Perth. I however lit a fire and laid down, Imbatagain beginning to cook, and then chattering: "What for do you who haveplenty to eat and much money walk so far away in the bush?" I feltamazingly annoyed at this question and therefore did not answer him. "Youare thin, " said he, "your shanks are long, your belly is small, you hadplenty to eat at home, why did you not stop there?" I was vexed at hispersonalities, besides which it is impossible to make a native understandour love of travel. I therefore replied, "Imbat, you comprehend nothing, you know nothing. " "I know nothing!" answered he; "I know how to keepmyself 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 doyou know? where is your fat? what for do you know so much if you can'tkeep 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 withfrogs, barde, and by-yu nuts. The rest of the party arrived just beforenightfall, and, searching the hut, found a paper of tea, and an old tinpot in which they cooked some, and then eating frogs, etc. , for theirsupper, we all laid down to sleep, and in the silence of the night Irendered fervent thanks to my Maker who had again brought us so near thehaven where we would be. "

OPINIONS OF THE MEN REGARDING THE FATE OF OUR OTHER PARTY. 

April 21. 

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 themen as to be able to overhear their conversation; but the rain forced usall to seek the shelter of the same little hut, and I thus gathered thedifferent stories that they narrated to one another. Their speculationsand conjectures naturally ran upon our absent comrades; some imaginedthat they were within a day or two's march of us, but another party heldfirmly to the opinion that we should never see them more. 

SUPERSTITIONS OF MY MEN. 

They could give no apparently satisfactory reason for holding thisopinion, 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 mewhence 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 ourreturn home, that some dreadful misfortune had befallen us and that Mr. Smith, Thomas Ruston, and he himself, were endeavouring to make the Isleof France in a boat, when Mr. Smith died, and the remaining two had eatenhis body. Mr. Walker had, with the utmost imprudence, related this dreamto some of the men, and they, with that superstition which is so commonamongst sailors and Englishmen of the lower orders, had attached a greatdegree of importance to it; many circumstances which had hitherto beenunexplained to me now flashed upon my mind; poor Mr. Smith had been veryill at the time Mr. Walker had related this inauspicious dream, and atthat period an extraordinary degree of despondency had crept over him, somuch so that some of the men imagined he had become deranged. When alsowe were working our way down the eastern coast of Shark Bay in the boatsothers 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 withhim on this point that he knew that the greater part of us wore doomed, and that our lives were worth nothing. 

My anxiety for those I had left behind me now increased, and about anhour and a half before daylight I started for Perth with Imbat, leavingthe others to follow as rapidly as they could, and telling them that Iwould have food ready for them at Williams's cottage, who was the settlerliving farthest north from Perth. In about an hour and a half I reachedWilliams's hut, which I entered, and found his wife and another woman atbreakfast. 

I had often got a drink of milk at this cottage when I had before been atPerth, and I flattered myself that Mrs. Williams would recollect me;little calculating how strangely want and suffering had changed myappearance. The two women only stared with the utmost surprise and said, "Why, Magic, what's the matter with you?" (They alluded to a crazy Malaywho used to visit the outsettler's houses, and who had somehow or theother acquired the nickname of Magic. ) I was rather hurt at my receptionand said, "I am not Magic;" at this they both burst into a roar oflaughter 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 forWilliams, now came in and explained who I was; in a few minutes more Iwas seated at a comfortable breakfast; water was put on to boil, and bythe time the things were prepared the rest of the party came up. 

ARRIVAL AND RECEPTION AT PERTH. NOT RECOGNIZED BY MY FRIENDS. 

I now washed and made myself as clean as possible. I could obtain noconveyance to take us on to Perth and therefore started to walk in withImbat, leaving the others to complete their breakfast; but I soon foundmyself dreadfully ill from having eaten too profusely; still I pushed onas well as I could, and in about an hour and a half reached the house ofmy friend, L. Samson, Esquire. He could not believe it was me whom hebeheld, but having convinced himself of the fact he made me swallow abouta tea-spoonful of brandy, and, recruited by this, I was sufficientlyrecovered to wait upon His Excellency the Governor in order to haveimmediate steps taken to send off a party in search of my missingcomrades. 

The Governor could scarcely credit his sight when he beheld the miserableobject that stood before him; but in this as in all other instances inwhich I have known him the goodness of his heart shone conspicuous; notonly was every kindness shown me but immediate steps were taken toforward assistance to those who were still in the bush. Having thus farperformed my duty I retired to press a bed once more, having for nearlythree consecutive months slept in the open air, on the ground just at thespot where my day's hardship had terminated. So changed was I that thoseof my friends who had heard of my arrival and were coming to congratulateme passed me in the street, whilst others to whom I went up and held outmy hand drew back in horror and said, "I beg your pardon, who are you?"

Ere I was in bed the remainder of the men who were journeying with mearrived, and it had thus pleased Providence to conduct six of us throughgreat suffering and want to the termination of our miseries. 

CHAPTER 5. FROM WATER PEAK TO PERTH. 

(MR. WALKER'S PARTY. )

PARTY SENT IN SEARCH FROM PERTH. 

I arrived at Perth on the 21st of April and not a moment was lost inpreparing 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 thecoast until they made the Moore River, where assistance was to be sentout to them from Perth. 

SEARCH FOR THE OTHER PARTY. 

Accordingly on the 23rd of April Lieutenant Mortimer of the 21st regimentand Mr. Spofforth, with four soldiers, left Perth and arrived on theMoore River in two days; but after traversing its banks in vain for twodays more they abandoned all hope of finding those they were in search ofthere, and pursued a straight course about 25 miles further north, whenthey fell in with another river where they formed a depot, and detourswere made in various directions for several days without any avail. 

RETURN WITH CHARLES WOODS. 

At length, on one of these excursions, the seaman Charles Woods, one ofmy party, was found by Mr. Spofforth, lying on the beach, wrapped in hisblanket and fast asleep. He soon awoke and was not a little delighted torecognise Mr. Spofforth whom he had seen before at Fremantle. By theaccount Woods gave it appears that from the period of my departure muchdisorder and discontent at the direction of their course prevailed amongthe men. They frequently left the beach and wandered inland to procurewater and food, not sufficiently exerting themselves to advancesouthward. They had succeeded, he said, in procuring upon the whole abouta dozen birds, a crab, and eighteen fish. On the 21st of April Mr. Walker, who had frequently exerted himself in procuring firewood andwater for the weaker of the party, divided two dough cakes stillremaining in his possession among them all. They were then upon thebeach, and though still at a great distance from the appointed place ofrendezvous the men were very unwilling to distress themselves to reachit, being persuaded they should be tracked, wherever they might be, bythe natives whom I should send to their help. Woods, being dissatisfiedwith 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 awhole day; and it was owing to his having obeyed my instructions morestrictly than the others that he was found by Mr. Spofforth. Woods, whoseemed to have a singularly accurate idea of the distance he was fromPerth when found, added that he thought he could have walked to it had henot been discovered, although he had nothing to eat but a few nativefigs; and that he thought the whole of the party were getting moreaccustomed to native food and were latterly better than they had been atfirst; he said he felt so himself. 

SECOND PARTY IN SEARCH, UNDER MR. ROE. 

Lieutenant Mortimer's party, having made every exertion but in vain tofind the five remaining persons, were compelled at the end of a fortnightby want of provisions to return to Perth, where they arrived on the 6thof May; and early the next morning the Surveyor-General, Mr. Roe, accompanied by Mr. Spofforth (who again volunteered his services) fourmen, and two native youths, with five horses, set out in search of thosestill missing. 

ARRIVAL OF MR. WALKER AT PERTH. JOURNAL OF MR. WALKER'S PARTY. 

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 whatwas gleaned subsequently from the other men, I shall here briefly narratewhat befel them after my departure on the 10th of April. 

NARRATIVE OF THEIR PROCEEDINGS FROM WATER PEAK. 

On the next day they started at dawn and soon came to a great deal ofscrub; this was the belt of thick wood mentioned in my journal. Mr. Walker says the men, being disheartened at this, they went down to thebeach and halted about a mile from it; Water Peak Hill being distantabout fifteen miles. Woods said much discontent was caused amongst themen by its being conceived that they were following a bad course; or, according to Ruston's expression, that "the steering was very bad. "

April 12. 

They found a river with pools of water in coarse gravel in which theycaught here two small fish, and travelled six miles through the scrubalong a native path. 

April 13. 

They started and went down towards the beach. The men cut and cooked somegreens but found no water. Travelled twelve or fourteen miles along thebeach. 

Sunday April 14. 

They shot a pigeon, two red-bills, and a hawk. In the afternoon itrained, and they travelled along the beach and got some cockles, andfound a fine stream of water running out from under the rocks. They thengot under the scrub to keep the rain off, having made about eight miles. 

April 15. 

They again came out on the beach and kept along it. Good travelling. Madea march of nearly twenty miles. 

EXTREME DISTRESS FROM HUNGER AND THIRST. 

April 16. 

They continued on the beach till they came to a good place for fishingand caught eighteen. Mr. Walker shot a bird. After eating the fish, theywere all very thirsty. 

April 17. 

Went into the interior about midday and found a native well six milesinland; also a large cave in the rocks. The party here procured and atesome Zamia nuts. 

April 18. 

They were all sick from the nuts, and turned back to the beach about fourmiles but did not reach it. 

April 19. 

This morning they reached the beach and travelled on until they came tosome high rocks from whence they saw an immense tract of sand. Again thisevening they went into the interior to find water. Boiled some youngtrees and ate them. 

April 20. 

They were travelling into the interior along the steep banks of a riverrunning nearly east. Got plenty of green stuff to eat. They had now twoguns and the means of getting fire, but the powder and shot was nearlyexpended. The axe I left with them had been lost soon after. 

April 21. 

Woods left the others to proceed alone. 

April 22. 

Being the day after Woods left they went into the interior about sixmiles from the coast and there found a river, which Mr. Walker and Mr. Smith thought was the Karpan (the Moore). This river was standing inpools, and there was a great rush of water from the hills; they tracedthe bed up for two or three miles, where it came out from some very highhills, 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 outwas 12 miles below where Woods left them; and that the river was nearlyhalfway between these two points. 

They now again turned into the interior, being, as they thought, at thebay to the south of Jurieu Bay. 

April 23. 

They returned and kept along the beach, made about fifteen miles, whenthey halted close to it. 

April 24. 

They went on for five or six miles, then halted and made a fire with theend of a spar. 

April 25. 

They travelled two or three hundred yards. Mr. Walker went back for theend of the spar and Mr. Smith cut some firewood. There they halted, catching fish and crabs. 

April 26 and 27. 

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 freshwater in the holes of the rocks. 

April 28. 

They started at dawn and went on for a mile. Ruston was taken ill fromthe number of crabs he had eaten, and Mr. Walker stopped with him whilstthe 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 theydid not proceed until the next morning. 

April 29. 

Mr. Walker moved on with Ruston about a mile and there found Mr. Smithclambering up some rocks, and having plenty of periwinkles, of which hegave them some. Clotworthy had stopped up all night and had picked upenough for four or five days. At night at low tide they got nearly freshwater running out from under the rocks. 

April 30. 

They still halted, living on the periwinkles; but this evening the waterwas more salt. 

May 1. 

This day the party separated into two portions and did not meet againuntil the 2nd, on which day Mr. Walker left them by agreement, he beingthe strongest of the party. His object was to proceed as expeditiously ashe could to Fremantle and send from thence a boat and fresh water for therelief of the rest. The party he left behind having agreed to keep aconstant look out on the beach and hoist concerted signals. 

For two days after Mr. Walker left them it appears they wandered about tolook for water and then fished. They fortunately fell in with a cask ofwater, washed up on the beach, from which they filled their canteens, roasted the fish and started on again, but made no distance. This lastedfor several days. They subsisted by picking up a few shellfish and somedead birds which had been washed ashore, and they ate a sort of cane thatgrows near the beach, and the Hottentot fig. 

DEATH OF MR. SMITH. 

Mr. Smith now gradually became exhausted, and at last one evening satdown on a bank, and said he could not go on. He was behind the party withRuston, who thought he was dying, and went on and told the other men. Thenext morning Ruston went back to try and find where Mr. Smith was, butwas so weak that (as he thought) he did not go far enough, and did notfind him. Mr. Smith seems to have crawled up into the bush, a little onone side of their route, and there died. 

TIMELY DISCOVERY OF THE REST BY MR. ROE. MR. ROE'S REPORT. 

Four days after the rest were picked up by Mr. Roe's party, whoseproceedings I shall now relate from his own interesting report; premisingthat the men had then been three days without water and four days withoutfood, and had nothing to eat but the sweet cane that grows near thebeach. 

MR. ROE PROCEEDS IN SEARCH OF THE MISSING MEN. 

Mr. Roe says:

Leaving Perth early on the 8th instant, accompanied by Mr. E. Spofforthand four men, with the native youths Warrup and Wyip, and five horses, wetravelled 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 ashort distance; and in the middle of the third day reached Neergabby onthe Garban River, about 52 miles distant. Giving our horses an hour'srest, I rode forward twelve miles with Mr. Spofforth and Warrup to themouth 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 thesand except those of Woods, and the written directions which had beenplaced conspicuously on sticks so as to intercept the track of thewanderers were either untouched or washed down by the high tides. Replacing these with full instructions how to proceed, we returned to ourcamp at Neergabby, where we were joined by some natives of the district, from whom however no information whatever could be obtained respectingthe objects of our search. Inferring from these circumstances that theycould not yet have reached so far south, and that they might probablyhave quitted the beach for the purpose of seeking fresh water inland, welost no time in pushing on to the northward, and at sunset of the 11thtook up our bivouac at Barrumbur on the Moore River, seventeen miles inadvance, where excellent water was found in deep pools and our horsesrevelled in luxuriant pasturage. Between the two rivers there is a greatextent of level country, so much under water in wet weather as to be thentotally impassable with horses or carts, and the beds of the rivers (nearwhich there is generally good cattle feed) assume the form of deep sandypools, a few yards apart and grooved to the depth of 25 or 30 feet belowthe level of the banks. 

Being desirous of penetrating the country further to the north before weagain visited the beach, which was computed to be about fifteen milesdistant with no water or feed for our horses in the intermediate space, we buried half our provisions, etc. , in a hole beneath our temporaryshelter, which was then fired in order to lull the suspicion of thenatives; and our sable companions having secreted the pannier-baskets andpacksaddles among the adjoining bushes in such a way as to defydiscovery, we trusted to Providence for the result, and next morningresumed our northern route. Leaving the extensive shallow lakes ofGarbanup, at this time quite dry, about two miles on our left, wetraversed a more hilly and dry sandy district than before, and had anelevated mountainous country fifteen or twenty miles to the eastward. Wehad now entered upon the inhospitable tract in which Mr. Grey and hisparty had been so much distressed for water on the homeward journey, andtheir feet-marks were distinctly recognised by our natives around aswampy space in search of some. At the end of sixteen miles we reachedNowergup, a small rushy lake, at this time quite dry and dusty at thesurface, but having at its north end a small well, seven feet deep, containing about a gallon of stinking water. Although this proved verypalatable after a dry day's journey, it was by no means adapted to thewants of five horses, and we gladly accepted the services of one of thenatives of the district to conduct us to a larger quantity. Our way to itled over a mile and a quarter of nearly level country, entirely underwater in winter, and covered with rushes and tea-trees. At the lowestlevel was a well with abundance of water two feet below the surface, nearwhich we immediately took up our quarters and learnt that the spot wascalled by them Bookernyup. We were also given to understand that thecountry to the northward and westward was at this time of the yearentirely without water, and that none was to be found nearer than a river"far away" in the north-east. 

This account by no means lessened our fears for the poor fellows of whomwe were in search, and led us to determine on leaving the party here, andmaking a forced march of two or three days to the north-west with thesmallest possible supplies, in the hope of reaching the spot where theabsentees had been left by Woods, and which we supposed to be thevicinity of Jurieu Bay. 

SUCCEEDS IN FINDING THEIR TRACES. 

Previous however to putting this plan into execution, it was consideredadvisable to visit the beach again, fifteen or sixteen miles distant, ondoing which next morning, with Mr. Spofforth and Warrup, we had thesatisfaction to find the feet-marks of five men on the sand, taking asoutherly direction. Warrup having pronounced them to be without doubtthe footsteps of white men, and not more than two or three days old, wefollowed them eagerly along the shore for a mile, and then came to anempty cask that had been washed on shore, together with several brokenbottles and a stone jar. On further examination part of the head of thecask was found much cut with a knife, as if used for a plate, and nearthe extinct embers of a small fire lay the bones of a fish, which Warrupconcluded had been picked on the morning of the previous day. Rejoiced athaving now got upon the right track, and being unwilling to lose time byfollowing it up from this spot, we took a good look round and returned toour camp at Bookernyup by sunset, from whence we next morning startedearly in a southerly direction, took up safely everything we hadconcealed on the Moore River, and shortly after dark had completed 24miles to a place called Kadjelup, where we halted on some deep poolssimilar to those at Barrumbur. 

Breakfasting early on the 15th, the baggage was despatched forward toNeergabby, and at daybreak Mr. Spofforth, Kinchela (a private of the 21stregiment) and Warrup accompanied me on horseback to the beach, which wefound eleven miles off, but to our great disappointment a very high tidehad totally obliterated all marks from the sand and left us in perplexityand doubt. Concluding however that the missing party must be in advanceof us, and that they could not fail to observe the papers which had beenoffered to their notice at the mouth of the Garban River, we turned oursteps that way; left a paper of directions in the event of their beingbehind us, and carefully examined both beach and sandhills, as well asthe country immediately in rear of them. Twelve miles brought us to themouth of the river, and there we found everything as we had placedit--not a mark near the beach except the footsteps of the native dogprowling about the sandhills, and nothing which could lead to a beliefthat the spot had been visited since we last left it. Somewhatdisappointed, although rejoicing in having now hemmed the unfortunateabsentees up into a narrow limit, within which we knew they MUST bewandering towards Perth, we joined our party at Neergabby shortly afterdark, and observed on our way the traces of five natives who wereconfidently said by Warrup to be Perth natives, sent to look after uswith intelligence. They had come along the coast from the south as far asthe mouth of the river, and had struck inland to the south-east on theirreturn. The conclusions of this intelligent lad on the occasion wereafterwards found to be strictly correct, even to the names of the men whocomposed the party. 

PROVIDENTIAL DISCOVERY OF THEM. 

The early morning of the 16th found us all in busy preparation for theday's proceedings and relying with reasonable confidence on a successfulissue to our exertions. The remainder of the party were sent back withone horse to Kadjelup, whilst my indefatigable companion Mr. Spofforthaccompanied me, with Kinchela and the two natives and four horses, toresume our examination of the beach to the north. Fifteen miles in anorth-west direction brought us to the desired spot, but still no signwas apparent of its having been visited by any human being sinceourselves; we however commenced a close examination to the northward, andat the end of a mile and a half had the infinite satisfaction of fallingin with three of the missing party, in the persons of Ruston, Stiles, andClotworthy, who had formed a portion of the wrecked boats' crews. 

THEIR MISERABLE CONDITION. 

The state of distress and exhaustion in which they were found on thebeach was truly pitiable and moving. With scarcely strength to drag onefoot after the other they had marched about a mile and a half thatmorning until they encountered the bold rocky projection of land at whichwe discovered them, and the passing of which they had given up as utterlyhopeless from want of sufficient strength to climb over it. Having beenthree days without water except their own and the seawater, the former ofwhich they had saved in their canteens, and emptied out before us, andtheir only food being such nourishment as they could obtain from chewinga coarse rushy plant which grew about high-water mark, it cannot bematter of surprise that they were almost frantic after water, and thatthe portions of it which we sparingly administered to them, mixed with alittle brandy, were most eagerly seized. Indeed the greatest firmness andforbearance were necessary on our part to prevent the unfortunatesufferers from committing fatal excesses. They declared their extremityto have been so great that no chance had appeared to them of survivingthe 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 onlyten minutes before they were rescued, supplicating with uplifted handsthat aid and assistance which had thus, through Divine Providence, beenso opportunely afforded them. 

(*Footnote. Ruston. )

SEARCH FOR MR. SMITH. 

In answer to our anxious enquiries respecting Mr. Walker and Mr. Smith welearnt that the former, being much the strongest of the party, had, attheir request, made the best of his way towards Perth ten days since, inorder to send them out assistance, and that Mr. Smith, having beentotally unable to proceed with them any further, had remained behind, ina dying state, four days ago. Touched by this distressing intelligence, and sensibly alive to the value of time, we lost not a moment in liftingour three light weights on our horses, and by supporting them in theirseats 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 proceedwith Kinchela and Warrup in search of poor Smith. 

Ruston having expressed himself very anxious to accompany us, and fearingthat we might not otherwise accomplish our object, after receiving somesuitable refreshment, he was mounted, and we all set off at as quick apace as he could manage. At the end of three miles a good view of thecoast to the northward was opened to us from the summit of a risingground, and Ruston pointed out, at the distance of 24 miles, an islandnear which he said young Smith had been left. As this was far beyond thesix or seven miles of which they had at first spoken, and totallyprecluded the possibility of my returning that night with the water-kegswhich I had taken to be filled at some wells which they had seen in thevicinity, I relinquished all idea of proceeding, while the sun was thentouching the horizon, and we accordingly rejoined Mr. Spofforth and hischarge. We were now perfectly satisfied of the wandering inconsistency inthe conversation of the three rescued men, who were evidently to aconsiderable extent delirious or light-headed. Being too sore in body andexcited in mind to admit much sleep to their assistance, they were fullof their expressions of thankfulness for their timely deliverance, and atlength terminated a long and weary night. 

DISCOVERY OF HIS BODY. 

The morrow's dawn found me on my way with Kinchela and Warrup to searchfor poor Smith, while Mr. Spofforth proceeded with the three rescued menand Wyip to join our party at Kadjelup, 12 miles off. At the distance ofa mile and a half we found the guns of Mr. Walker and Mr. Smith, whichthe men had buried among the sandhills from inability to carry them anyfurther. A close scrutiny of the beach brought us, at the end of tenmiles, 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 twelveor fourteen feet, turned short round to the left, and there terminated atthe unfortunate object of our search, extended on his back, lifeless, inthe midst of a thick bush, where he seemed to have laid himself down tosleep, half-enveloped in his blanket. The poor fellow's last bed appearedto have been selected by himself; and at the distance of three or fouryards from him lay all the trifling articles which had constituted histravelling equipage. These were his wooden canteen, his brown felt hat, and haversack, containing his journal, shoes, tinder, steel, gun-screw, afew small canvas bags which he had used for carrying shellfish, and asmall bag with thread, needles, and buttons. Life seemed to have beenextinct 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 toconclude that a rush of blood into the brain had caused his death, and atlast without much suffering. 

BURIAL OF MR. SMITH. 

With the help of the soldier and Warrup we made a grave with our handsand buried poor Smith deep in a sandhill near the shore, aboutseventy-six miles to the north of Swan River. Even Warrup, notwithstanding the general apathy of the native character, wept like achild over the untimely fate of this young man, from whom he had formerlyreceived kindness. Smoothing over his solitary bed, and placing at thehead of his grave a piece of wood found upon the beach, we pursued ourmelancholy way half a mile to the northward, where we found the water towhich we had been directed by digging 12 inches in the sand at thecommencement of a considerable sheet of bare sand, extending at leastfour miles into the interior. In the course of the evening we rejoinedour party on the Moore River. Next day we halted at Kadjelup; and on the19th we separated at Neergabby once more, Mr. Spofforth to conduct theremainder of the party home with as much celerity as they could travel, whilst I proceeded with Kinchela and Warrup to examine the coast from themouth of the Moore River for any traces of Mr. Walker, of whose fate wewere in total ignorance. By noon of the 22nd we had arrived within 12miles of Perth without remarking the least trace of the supposedabsentee, when we were met by Mr. Hunt the constable with the pleasingintelligence that Mr. Walker had reached Perth on the 9th instant. In theevening we arrived at the same place, and found that Mr. Spofforth hadbrought in his charge the day before. 

. .. 

CONCLUSION OF THE EXPEDITION. 

If Mr. Roe's party had been delayed only a few hours there is everyprobability that from the debilitated state in which the men were foundthey would all have perished. 

I deeply regretted the death of poor Frederic Smith, who had come outfrom England expressly for the purpose of joining me, led solely by thespirit of enterprise, and not with any view of settling. He was the mostyouthful of the party, being only 18 years of age, and thence was lesscapable than the others of bearing up against long-continued want andfatigue, and the excessive heat of the climate, under which he graduallywasted away until death terminated his sufferings. When aroused by dangeror stimulated by a sense of duty he was as bold as a lion, whilst hismanner to me was ever gentleness itself, as indeed it was to all. *

(*Footnote. He was the eldest son of Octavius Smith, Esquire, of ThamesBank, and grandson of the late William Smith, Esquire, long known inpolitical life as Member for Norwich. )

Upon the final return of the expedition a desire was expressed by somegentlemen of the colony of Western Australia to remove Mr. Smith'sremains to Perth; but upon mature reflection I declined their friendlyproposal, preferring rather to let him rest close by the spot where hedied, having given the name of my ill-fated friend to a river which hidesitself in the sandy plains near where he fell so early a sacrifice to hisgallant and enterprising spirit. 

CHAPTER 6. SUMMARY OF DISCOVERIES. 

RIVERS AND MOUNTAIN RANGES DISCOVERED. 

Having now brought the narrative of my expedition along the westernshores of Australia to a close I shall here retrace in a brief summarythe principal geographical discoveries to which it led. 

The country examined during this expedition lies between Cape Cuvier andSwan River, having for its longitudinal limits the parallel of 24 degreesand that of 32 degrees south latitude, and the expedition combined twoobjects: the examination and nautical survey of such parts of the coastlying between these limits as were imperfectly known, and the explorationof such parts of the continent as might on examination appear worthy ofparticular notice. 

RIVERS DISCOVERED. 

In the course of my explorations ten rivers, which are, when consideredwith reference to the other known ones of Western Australia, ofconsiderable importance, were discovered, some of them being larger thanany yet found in the south-west of this continent; many smaller streamswere also found. 

The larger rivers I have named:

The Gascoyne, The Murchison, The Hutt, The Bowes, The Buller, The Chapman, The Greenough, The Irwin, The Arrowsmith, The Smith. 

Two mountain ranges were discovered; one at the northern extremity of theDarling Range and about thirty miles to the eastward of it, lofty andaltogether differing in character from the Darling, which at this point, where its direction is nearly north and south, is called Moresby'sFlat-topped Range. 

I have taken the liberty of naming this northern range, after her mostgracious Majesty, The Victoria Range; and the extensive district offertile country extending from its base to the sea, and having a lengthof more than fifty miles in a north and south direction, I have alsonamed the Province of Victoria, trusting that her Majesty will not objectto bestow her name upon one of the finest provinces in this her new, vast, and almost unknown empire; and which, protected in its very birthand infancy by her fostering hand, will doubtless ere long attain to nomean destiny among the nations of the earth. 

The other range is thrown off in a westerly direction from the DarlingRange; it is about forty miles in length from north to south, of a bare, sterile, and barren nature, and terminates seaward in Mount Perron andMount 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 ofAustralia. 

DISTRICTS OF BABBAGE AND VICTORIA. 

Three extensive districts of good country were also found in the courseof this expedition, the Province of Victoria, before alluded to, thedistrict of Babbage, and another adjacent to Perth, to which I have notaffixed a name. 

The district of Babbage is situated on and near the river Gascoyne, whichstream discharges itself in the central part of the main that frontsShark Bay, and may indeed almost be recorded as the central point of thewestern coast of Australia; thus at once occupying the most commandingposition in Shark Bay and one of the most interesting points on thatcoast; it is moreover the key to a very fine district which is the onlyone in that vast inlet that appears well adapted to the purposes ofcolonization. 

COAST OF SHARK BAY. 

Immediately to the south of the southern mouth of this river commences aline of shoals which at low-water are nearly dry, extending to a distanceof from two to four miles from the coast and running with scarcely anyintermission round the bay: except at high-water it is thereforeimpossible to approach the greater part of the coast, even in thesmallest boat, unless by tracking it over those flats, which proceedingis 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 ofbroken billows. I feel convinced it was owing to this circumstance thatthe navigators who had previously visited this bay left so large aportion of its coast unexplored. 

The shoals in the vicinity of the mouth of this river, as well as thosein the river itself, have many snags upon them; and on the coast ofBernier Island, opposite to the main, we found the remains of large treeswhich had been washed down the river and had then been drifted across thebay. It was that circumstance which first convinced me that a large riverexisted hereabouts, and induced me so minutely to examine the coast. 

This occurrence of driftwood in the neighbourhood of large rivers is acircumstance unknown upon the south-western shores of this continent. Ihowever observed it in Prince Regent's River and other rivers to thenorth, as well as in the Arrowsmith. This latter however is the mostsouthern river in which I have remarked it, and it certainly is anevidence of the existence of timber of a much lighter description thanhas hitherto been known in this part of the continent. 

MOUTHS OF THE GASCOYNE. 

The southern mouth of the Gascoyne is however completely free fromshoals, and has seven feet water on the bar at low tide. There is also achannel in it which has never less than this depth of water for aboutfour miles from its mouth, after which it is only navigable for smallboats in the dry season, and that merely for a short distance. 

The greatest difficulty which presents itself in entering the southernmouth 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 thebranches project up the stream, and are likely to pierce any boat in itspassage down. These snags are however more to be feared at the time ofhigh-water than at any other period, for they have generally become fixedupon shoals as they originally descended the river, and at low water caneasily be seen. 

The northern mouth of the Gascoyne is more difficult of entrance than itssouthern one, being narrower and more shoal. I still however think thatat high water it could be entered by small craft; but as my examinationof it was hurried and imperfect from our being pressed for provisions atthe time I was there, the opinion I have given above must be receivedwith caution. 

Our visit to this river took place at the close of a season which hadbeen preceded by the driest one known since the occupation of the westerncoasts by Europeans. There was consequently but little fresh water in thebed of the river, and this only in small pools; but the breadth of itsmain channel (for it sometimes had several) was where I measured itupwards of three hundred yards, and this measurement was made in a partwhich was by no means the widest. 

THE COUNTRY ADJACENT. 

The bed of the river was composed of fine white sand. The country had agentle slope from the interior, and no land of any great elevation wasvisible from the farthest point I attained, distant about fifteen milesfrom the coast. 

Plains of a rich reddish loam bordered the river on each side. These wereoccasionally broken by low, gently-rounded hills, composed of the samesoil. Freshwater lagoons, frequented by wild-fowl, were found in severalplaces; and during the course of my walks, which extended for severalmiles in various directions, I saw no termination to this good landexcept on approaching the sea, where the salt marshes always commenced;but along the southern bank of the river, to the point where its mouthactually disembogued into the open bay, the land was of a fertiledescription: the country, even in the dry season, during which we werethere, being covered with rich grass. 

I ought here to state that this river is the most southern one that Ihave ascertained to be deficient in that universal characteristic of allthose in the south-west of this continent: an estuary. I must observethat I have not seen the mouths of three or four of the rivers beforeenumerated, and cannot therefore say that some of them may not terminatein estuaries; but the Gascoyne discharges its waters by two mouths ofconsiderable magnitude, between which lies Babbage Island, the southernmouth being in latitude 24 degrees 57 minutes. 

This is also the most southern river on the western side of thiscontinent where the rise and fall of tide is sufficiently great toexercise any influence upon it relatively to the purposes of navigation. Hence it would appear that the presence of estuaries at the mouths ofrivers on this coast is in some way connected with the amount of tidalelevation at the points where they are found. The rise and fall here wasabout five and a half feet; but there is only one full tide intwenty-four hours. The first tide rises to a certain point, and it hasscarcely commenced to ebb, ere the second comes slowly in, so that, to acareless observer, only one tide is perceptible. 

PROVINCE OF VICTORIA. 

The province of Victoria is situated between the parallels of 27 degrees30 minutes and 29 degrees 30 minutes south latitude; its mostconsiderable river is the Hutt, which disembogues into a large estuary. Afew miles above the estuary the river separates into two branches, bothof which were running strong at the time we passed them. 

Previously to our reaching the Hutt our boats had all been wrecked; I hadtherefore no opportunity of examining whether the estuary of this riverwas navigable or not; from its size however I should be inclined to theaffirmative. The other principal streams which drain this district arethe Buller, and the Murchison. 

One remarkable feature in the province of Victoria is that thecarboniferous series is here developed throughout a tract of WesternAustralia extending in latitude from the bottom of Geographe Bay to nearCape Cuvier, and which I have carefully examined. The tract above alludedto is the only one in which I have yet found the rocks belonging to thisseries: this circumstance therefore imparts a very high degree ofinterest to the district in question. 

Within a few weeks after my return from the province of Victoriaapplications from settlers were made to the Government of WesternAustralia to permit them to occupy a district which had been so highlyspoken of; this application was however unsuccessful, but an expeditionwas subsequently sent there to ascertain if there was a navigableentrance to the Hutt River. In this object the expedition wasunsuccessful, but the vessel touched at the Abrolhos Islands and at someparts of the adjacent coast, including Port Grey. *

(*Footnote. See above. [The coast to the eastward of the Abrolhos hasbeen since examined by H. M. 's surveying vessel the Beagle, CaptainWickham, R. N. , and while these sheets were passing through the press anaccount of the survey of Port Grey, under the appellation of ChampionBay, appeared in the Nautical Magazine for July 1841 page 443, from whichperiodical it has been copied into Appendix B at the end of this volume. ED. ])

MR. MOORE'S JOURNAL. MR. MOORE'S VOYAGE TO HOUTMAN'S ABROLHOS AND PORTGREY. 

An account of some of the places visited was subsequently published inthe Perth Gazette, being contained in extracts from the journal of G. F. Moore, Esquire, the Queen's Advocate at Perth, who sailed with theexpedition; and as Mr. Moore's description contains several points ofnovelty and interest these extracts are again transcribed below. 

EXPEDITION TO THE NORTHWARD. 

After Captain Grey had the misfortune to have his boats wrecked inGantheaume Bay, having started thence with his party and walked to Perth, he reported that he had passed over extensive tracts of fertile countryin the neighbourhood of Moresby's Flat-topped Range, where there areseveral rivers, one of which (the largest) he had called the Hutt River, after His Excellency the Governor. His Excellency having directed theChampion schooner to proceed to explore the coast with a view toascertain whether there was any practicable entrance to the river, andwhether there was any harbour, shelter, or anchorage in thatneighbourhood, also what sort of anchorage there was about the Houtman'sAbrolhos, it appeared very desirable that such an opportunity should betaken advantage of to obtain, at the same time, as much information ascircumstances would permit as to the nature and quality of the soil andits general capabilities with reference to its eligibility as a districtto be occupied by settlers. With this view G. F. Moore, Esquire, embarkedon the trip. 

DESCRIPTION OF THE ABROLHOS ISLANDS. 

The Abrolhos. Latitude by a good sight on shore, 288 degrees 45 minutes, subsequently corrected to 288 degrees 40 minutes. 

That part of the Abrolhos where we anchored seems to consist of a numberof small islets, perhaps 10 or 12, lying something in the form of anirregularly shaped horse's shoe, extending for a space of perhaps 20miles in a north and south direction. 

These islets, which are raised only from 10 to 12 feet above the level ofthe sea, are a mere mass of coral and shells with a very small variety ofplants struggling to establish themselves upon some of them. I was rathersurprised to find a few plants of the common groundsel on one of thebarest. It is not improbable that these islets are upon the outer rim ofthe crater of a volcano, and that not only the entire outer rim, but alsoa large space, both interior and exterior, will eventually be elevated. Nothing can exceed the beauty of the different sorts of coral as seenunder 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 wesaw, but of the sort called hair-seals. The sailors knocked many of themupon the head with clubs as they lay sleeping on the shores. One of theseafforded much sport, though rather of a barbarous sort if one had takentime to think at all on the subject. Sleeping on the brink of a smalllagoon in the interior of one of these islands, he was roused by theapproaching footsteps of his enemy. Seeing the man close to him, withupraised club over his head, he dropped into the water. This was soshallow as not to protect him from the stones that were hurled at himfrom all sides, and so small that he was completely surrounded. Findinghis retreat cut off he boldly stood up and seemed deliberately to scanthe most practicable mode of breaking his way through us all, but he wasso incessantly plied with stones as entirely to distract him. When awell-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 agun was brought by one of the party and a well-directed shot under theear laid him dead. Rock oysters of a large size and delicious flavourwere found in great abundance. Range of thermometer 67 to 82 degrees. 

On Sunday the 12th continued to explore the several islands; unable toland upon the first we approached on account of a reef which ran allround it. This was one which lay at the north-east extremity of theHorseshoe. It was high and sandy, but with some vegetation on thesurface, and we saw many large seals sleeping on the sandy beach. Afterthis, visited five or six in succession, all of the same formation, somebeing mere masses of loose coral and dead shells. 

SINGULAR CORAL FORMATIONS. 

In passing from island to island we had many opportunities of observingthe different formation and shape of several species of coral; some stoodin masses of the brain-stone and cockscomb coral, some like petrifiedsponge, some like fans, some again of the branch-coral interlaced andintertwined in every direction; again, some broad flat masses lying layerover layer, like huge sea-lichens, again many presented the appearance ofa fungus or great sea-mushroom, with a broad-spreading head springingfrom a small thick base. It is not a little singular that many of thegrowing islets which are nearly level with the surface of the water havea similar form, not rising from the bottom with a perpendicular side, butwith broad overhanging heads resting upon a small base. In many places wepassed over some of these isolated sea-mushrooms, upon which there wasbarely water for a small boat, where one step over the ledge would be inthe deep sea, and you might see the hollows underneath as if lookingunder an umbrella. Birds were abundant on most of the isles, and on twoof them were hawks' nests, raised to the height of four feet by anaccumulation of sticks, stones, and shells. This day there was but littlebreeze; the thermometer ranged from 76 to 86 degrees. 

COAST UNDER THE MENAI HILLS. 

Saturday morning January 25. 

Stood in close along the shore opposite to the Table Hill and the MenaiHills, and examined the coast from the rigging. There are two openings ofrivers laid down in the chart, that to the south being the larger, andboth nearly abreast of Table Hill and only a few miles distant from oneanother; and besides these Captain Grey had marked down in another charta considerable river, with a large estuary, close to the north of theMenai Hills, which he had called the Hutt River. As we were just on thatpart of the coast where all these are laid down we were the more anxiousand eager. We saw three openings on the west range, but in truth verysmall, and after anchoring nearly opposite to the northern one we went inthe boat directly for it. There was a continuous sandy beach the wholeway across it, and the surf was running high, so that it was not veryeasy to land. 

LAND ON THE COAST. 

Just as we were considering about how to effect a landing we observed anumber of natives on the hills and behind the beach, evidently watchingour motions. As we stood along the beach, looking for a landing-place, they followed and became more bold; they shouted and made gestures, whichwere certainly not like those of encouragement; but still as we pulledon, they followed, till we counted forty-nine men, but they appeared tohave left their spears behind them. Finding this, we thought it well toparley with them, when we backed in close to the shore, holding up ourhands making signs of peace, and calling out in the Swan River languagethat we were friends and would give them bread. I flung apiece of biscuiton the beach, and some waded into the water and threw in their fur beltsand other ornaments, when we commenced a system of barter immediately. They had no spears and few throwing sticks; nor had they with them eithercloaks, 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 manymiles, still making signs to land, but the surf was so high we could notventure in the face of so many of them. At last, having passed theopening of the second river, and having come to a smooth place, I jumpedout upon the beach and was soon followed by the Captain. 

INTERVIEW WITH NATIVES. 

They evinced a considerable deal of uneasiness at first, and looked withmuch jealousy at the gun as something suspicious. They wished me to partwith it, but I sat down and intimated that I would keep it on the groundbeside me. I addressed them in the Swan River native language, and theyspoke much in return, but I must say that our language seemed to bemutually unintelligible. At last, by watching their mode of intonation, and accommodating myself to their dialect, I managed to succeed a littlebetter. In this way they understood my inquiries for water, and theiranswer at last was precisely in the Swan River language, "Gaipbi jeral, "(water to the north. ) Their great anxiety at first seemed to be to knowwhether we were women. In answer I pointed to our beards, when theypulled their beards and said, "Nanya patta, " by which name I have heardit called at Swan River also. Then they pointed to some young lads in theboat and asked were they women. No; I said they were "golambiddy" (boys)which they seemed to understand. I saw them eating the fruit of themesembryanthemum (the Hottentot fig) but they did not understand eitherof the names used for it at Swan River, golboys, or mejaruk. They calledit by a different name. After a little they volunteered to take us towater, and we walked along the beach with them, clustering about us witha show of friendship that was even more familiar than agreeable. One ofthem repeatedly asked me were we dead? at least so I understood him. Atlength we approached the opening of the river, in which they indicatedthe water to be, but how were our great hopes disappointed when they ledus to a little hole scraped in the bed of the river containing about apint of water. We afterwards saw several other holes of the same sortwith more or less water in them; and it will be well to bear in mind thatsome of these were not fifty yards from the beach, and it is quitepossible that if they were dug out a good supply of water might beobtained. 

ADVANCE INTO THE COUNTRY. 

They then wished us to go up the valley of the river with them, but weascended a high hill to the north side, being desirous of getting a viewand in hopes of seeing the large estuary pencilled on the chart byCaptain Grey. From this hill we had an extensive view of all the countryto the west and north of the Menai Hills. The whole face of the countrylooked grassy, and thinly sprinkled over with what may be acacias, probably the mangart, or raspberry-jam-scented wood, as it had just thatappearance, and a kily which we had got from the natives in the morningwas 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 assignedto the Hutt River; but certainly it is quite possible that nearer thesource 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 wefind this to be the case with many of the rivers of this country. In themeantime the natives seemed dissatisfied about our going on the hills, and offended, and were very importunate with us to go down to the lowgrounds 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 weregoing down the side of a steep, rocky limestone hill, I could not helpfeeling that we were very much in their power. Looking round suddenlyupon one occasion I observed a man making gestures with his feet at thehead of the Captain, as if showing to the rest how he could knock himdown easily. The man seemed uneasy at being detected, but I laughed itoff as a joke, which probably it was after all; but their manner seemedto have changed considerably. When we arrived at the level ground theybecame very urgent that we should "sit down in the shade, " "malokanineka" (a Swan River man would say "malok nginnow"). They caught hold ofus and pulled us, and wanted very much to get the guns from us. Thinkingit most prudent to return to the boat we turned with that intention, whenthey did everything they could, short of using force, to prevent us. Theystood in our way, they caught us in their arms, they pushed us, theytried to snatch or seize our guns, but we persisted steadily andgood-humouredly to make our way back towards the boat. One old man wishedme to approach the brink of the high ground overlooking the bed of theriver, but seeing that it was a perpendicular precipice to which he wasleading, or rather pushing me, I suddenly clasped him with one arm andwalked away from it, at which the rest set up a shout of laughter. Hisintentions may have been perfectly friendly but I certainly did not feelconfident that they were so. I intimated that when we got to the boat weshould give them some more bread; and I felt that the knowledge that thebread was in the boat was likely to be very much in our favour and tocontribute mainly to our safety. My fear was that they had sent for theirspears and wished to detain us till they came. However we arrived at thebeach where the boat was standing outside of the surf waiting for us. 

RETURN TO THE VESSEL. 

On our return to the ship I proposed that we should now touch at the morenorthern river where we were deterred from landing by their firstappearance. We went therefore to the mouth of the river, which iscompletely blocked up by sandhills, with two or three small gaps throughwhich water appeared to have made its way at some time; but the entire ofthe bed of the river, which was only a few yards wide, was covered withgrowing samphire. There were two or three small pools of very salt waterabove this, but no fresh water visible. We took a hasty view from a highsandhill. The interior, where we could see anything of it, looked grassy, and there was some grass even on the sandhills near the beach; but ourview was very limited and hurried. We had no sooner returned to the boatthan we saw a party coming along the beach about a quarter of a mileaway, and another party on the top of the hill above, where we first sawthem and where we supposed their weapons to have been left. They shouted, we went on board. 

SAIL TO THE SOUTHWARD. PORT GREY. 

Sunday morning. 

Weighed anchor and stood to the south to examine a bay opposite thesouthern part of Moresby's Flat-topped Range. This bay, which is not laiddown in the charts, was found to be an excellent anchorage, completelysheltered from all southerly winds, which are the prevailing winds onthis coast at this time of the year, and also much protected by a reefrunning north and south from the extreme point of the bay. This reef orbank was found to have from three to five fathoms upon it, and within itthere was seven fathoms, even near to the shore, at the bottom of thebay; and there is no appearance of any heavy sea or violent action of thewater on the beach at any time of the year. *

(*Footnote. The report of this bay by the Master of the Champion is asfollows: 26th January 1840. Anchored in a bay not laid down in thecharts, lying in latitude 28 degrees 50 minutes, the north land bearingnorth-north-west, and the south point south-west. A reef breaks off thepoint, the north part of which bore west-south-west; but it extends farmore to the north, and breaks, I presume, in bad weather. The reefsextend also a great way to the westward of this point. We anchored abouthalf a mile from the shore in seven fathoms water, and about three milesfrom the head of the bay. The soundings are exceedingly even for fivemiles, carrying seven fathoms, never varying: just before, we carriedfour and five, when, I think, we passed over the reef, which appears tome to join the main at that distance from the south-west point. The beachdoes 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. )

SEA VIEW OF AUSTRALIND. APPEARANCE OF THE COUNTRY. 

To the south of the tongue of land which forms the bay there is alsoanother bay, which would be completely sheltered from all northerly windsso as to combine between the two bays perfect shelter at all seasons ofthe year. From the deck of the schooner where she lay we had a view ofthe entire slope of ground from the beach to the top of the range, aboutfive or six miles distant. The range seems to consist of isolated hillsrising from an elevated plain. Judging by the eye at that distance, theentire space as far as we had any opportunity of seeing, after going alittle way back from the coast, on the slope to the hills, upon thehills, among the hills, beyond the hills, and, in short, everywhere, asfar as the eye could discern, appeared a grassy country, thinly sprinkledwith 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 pasturethat 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 knownor said; but from what I have now seen, and from what Captain Grey hasseen on a former occasion, there is little doubt that it extends northand south from the northern part of the Menai Hills as far south as theRiver Arrowsmith, a distance of more than 80 miles. To the south of thatriver comes the range of hills which Captain Grey has called Gairdner'sRange, and which is supposed to be the northern termination of theDarling Range; if so it is very probable that, by keeping on the eastside of the Darling Range a continuation of pastoral country might befound all the way to Moresby's Flat-topped Range. In coming to ouranchorage this morning we passed the opening of another river, that whichis laid down in Captain King's charts as the largest. From what we saw ofit I do not think that much water can issue from it either, although itsbed looked larger and better defined than any we had seen hitherto. Theman from the mast-head said he saw the sandy beach all across it. But theCaptain, being anxious to examine the anchorage in the bay, did not wishto come to anchor sooner, so we passed on, perhaps 10 or 12 miles to thesouth of it. Just as they were about to let go the small anchor, whichhad been used since the first was broken, it was discovered that it alsowas broken nearly through, so we had to drop a large and heavy one, beingthe only one now remaining in the ship. We then landed in the boat, andsaw two pieces of ship's timbers set up in the sand of the beach, abouthalf a mile from each other. Dug and examined under and about the largestof them in hopes of finding some directions, probably about fresh water, but found none. Examined a place where the tea-tree and wattles were verygreen and luxuriant looking; it appeared like a swamp in winter, butquite 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, butwhich appeared to rest upon limestone. Got a view to the east and southof the range. The country presented the same appearance as before. Itmust be remarked that the grass was all parched and withered and of ayellow straw colour; and it was from this colour principally that wejudged of its existence on the distant grounds. Those who have once seentracts of withered grass will not readily mistake its appearance; but thegreen of the shrubs was extremely vivid. One observation which we hadrepeated occasion to make was the constant heavy dews which fell at nighton this coast, rendering everything about the ship quite wet. The windwas off the land. The country all around seemed to be on fire in themorning. The thermometer, as I stood on the deck, was 94 degrees. In theevening the wind came round to the north-west, and, desirous of availingourselves of such a favourable breeze, we got on board and set sail, butwere obliged to stand well out to sea to clear the reefs. Towards nightit fell calm again, and there was some lightning in the north. 

. .. 

DISTRICT IMMEDIATELY TO THE NORTH OF SWAN RIVER. 

The third district lies immediately to the north of Perth. It containsfour rivers:

The Norcott, The Moore, The Smith, The Hill. 

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 MooreRiver is the Smith. The Hill comes out of Gairdner's Range, the naturalnorthern limit of this district, which is connected with Perth by a chainof freshwater lakes, the greatest distance between any two of them beingnot more than from five to six miles. The whole of this district istherefore fit for location, and affords a gratifying proof that theflourishing colony of the Swan is by no means deficient in good andimmediately available land. 

The circumstance also of this district being so abundantly supplied withwater, even at the end of an uncommonly dry season, which was the periodI traversed it in, much enhances its value. It must, as the number ofhorned stock in the colony of Western Australia increases, be the firstoccupied; for it is nearer to a market than any other open to location, and affords both water and food for cattle in good supply. 

CHAPTER 7. VOYAGE HOMEWARDS. 

Before quitting the Mauritius, in August 1838, I had written to theSecretary of State for the Colonies, reporting my intention to proceed tothe Swan River, and then, as circumstances might guide me, either toreturn from thence at once to the north-west coast, or, should that notbe feasible, to await further instructions from England; adding that, inthe latter event, I should attempt in the meantime to pass the range tothe north-east of the Swan, and endeavour to ascertain in what directionthe streams thrown off from this range towards the interior might flow. 

I have already stated the incidents that prevented me from following outthe first of these plans, as well as those which led me to adopt theproject of the voyage to Shark Bay in lieu of an inland journey such asthe second; and now that this last expedition was brought to a close Ihad yet to await, for some time, the answer to my communication from theMauritius, which was to guide my future proceedings. The interval betweenmy return to Perth and the period at which a reply might be expectedappeared too short to allow of my carrying out any comprehensive plan ofexploration, and I therefore resolved to employ it in endeavouring toextend my knowledge of the native character and language, as well as ofthe general position and prospects of the colony. 

At this time, the death of Sir Robert Spencer, the Government Resident atKing George's Sound, having caused a vacancy in that appointment, I wasinduced, at the offer of Mr. Hutt, to assume the temporary duties, with atwo-fold desire of rendering what public services I could during myunavoidable period of inaction in the country, as well as of enlarging myopportunities of observation on the aboriginal race. 

In these occupations I remained, until the receipt of a reply from theSecretary of State, which, after speaking in terms of flatteringapprobation of my past exertions, notified that, for the present, HerMajesty's Ministers did not think it desirable that the researches in thenorth-west should be prosecuted further. 

PREPARE TO RETURN TO ENGLAND. 

On the receipt of this I made preparations for returning to England, but, no favourable opportunity offering from the western settlements, as soonas I was relieved from my duties as Resident, I embarked for SouthAustralia in the hope of obtaining from thence a more speedy passage thanthe other colony seemed likely to afford. 

After a short stay at Adelaide I finally sailed for England on the 11thApril 1840, and reached this country in September following. 

NATURAL HISTORY. 

The leisure of the voyage afforded me the means of making some additionsto my former observations on the Natural History of the seas wetraversed, the chief results of which will be briefly given in thischapter, together with some casual observations which I was enabled tomake on the Geology of St. Helena in consequence of the vessel touchingthere. 

June 2 1840. At sea: south latitude 20 degrees 0 minutes; east longitude58 degrees 47 minutes 15 seconds. 

I caught a species of shrimp (Penaeus) of a delicate prussian bluecolour, which was more brilliant at the extremities, and gradually paledtowards the centre of the animal. There was not the slightest shade ofany other colour about it, but it turned pink in some places directly itwas put into spirits; it had four anterior and four posterior legs oneach side. 

Total length 1. 45 inches. Length of apparatus on head 0. 17 inches. Length of tail 0. 25 inches. Head and connected apparatus 0. 52 inches. Tail and body to commencement of first ring 0. 48 inches. 

June 13. South latitude 27 degrees 4 minutes; east longitude 47 degrees38 minutes 15 seconds. 

A species of animal (Alima hyalina ?) was caught resembling a scorpion, having six legs, three on each side; the first pair of legs were providedwith claws, like a lobster; its tail exactly resembled that of ascorpion; the sac or bag near the extremity of the tail was of a lightred colour, and it tried to strike with its tail, as if for the purposeof stinging. Eyes pale blue, and prominent; body nearly diaphanous, withpale red spots. 

Total length 0. 33 inches. Length of body 0. 20 inches. Breadth across from eye to eye 0. 13 inches. Breadth of body 0. 14 inches. 

Several of the animals which I supposed to be the Velella of Lamarck, andsome of which had been caught on the 11th of November 1837 were alsofound today. Caught also a species of animal which I had found on October22 1837, in south latitude 37 degrees 44; east longitude 38 minutes; andagain on November 12 1837, in south latitude 30 degrees 11 minutes; eastlongitude 100 degrees 31 minutes 30 seconds. It resembles in shape andsize a large grape. 

Extreme length 0. 5 inches. Breadth 0. 45 inches. Total circumference round broadest part 1. 30 inches. 

Colour brownish blue; but there were round it twenty very narrow brownishyellow stripes, equidistant from each other, and not quite reachingeither extremity of the animal. 

June 16. South latitude 28 degrees 46 minutes; east longitude 42 degrees3 minutes. 

We caught an animal this afternoon somewhat resembling a shrimp(Erichthus vitreus)* covered with a shield: we had caught a similar oneon the 12th of November 1837. From measurements taken from the livinganimal the dimensions were:

Length from tip of tail to tip of spine, in front of head 1. 15 inches. Ditto of spine 0. 23 inches. Ditto from tip of tail to bottom of last scale 0. 2 inches. Ditto from tip of spear to end of shield 0. 7 inches. 

The temperature of the water at 6 P. M. Was 71 degrees Fahrenheit; of theair 74 degrees. 

(*Footnote. See Illustration 8 volume 1. )

The shield was perfectly air-coloured and diaphanous, and extended forsome distance beyond the head and the upper parts of the body; the bodyitself was of a pale delicate blue, and it threw a very light bluishtinge upon the shield; the eyes were jet black, and placed at the end ofa tube like those of the lobster; the tip of the spear was of a light redcolour. 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 30degrees 7; east longitude 100 degrees 50 minutes 10 seconds. The totallength of this was 0. 5 inches. 

Caught also two minute animals resembling a species of shrimp (Penaeus);colour of both pale blue. The tail of the largest when examined in amicroscope precisely resembled in appearance the fin of a fish. I did notexamine the smaller one. Dimensions of the largest:

Total length 0. 2 inches. Length of feelers 0. 15 inches. 

Of smallest:

Total length 0. 13 inches. 

When put into eau-de-cologne these animals changed to a pink colour. 

June 17. South latitude 29 degrees 19 minutes; east longitude 40 degrees19 minutes. 

Caught a specimen of Glaucus. 

Total length 0. 35 inches. 

Colour down the back deep indigo blue; stomach bluish white; sides bluishwhite (silvery) like a frog; tail tapering to a point; its head resembledthat of a frog, and when out of the water it sat on its tentaculae, andraised its head and the fore part of its body, moving its head (a) fromside to side; the tentaculae were all so delicate that they fell off, ithad apparently eight on each extremity; it belonged to the same family asthe animal I caught on the 14th of November 1837, in south latitude 29degrees 26 minutes; east longitude 101 degrees 32 minutes. *

(*Footnote. See Illustration 10 volume 1. )

June 23. South latitude 32 degrees 53 minutes; east longitude 29 degrees45 minutes 15 seconds. 

We for the first time saw Cape Pigeons and the Albatross. 

June 27. ) South latitude 35 degrees 41 minutes; east longitude 25degrees 13 minutes 20. June 28. ) South latitude 35 degrees 15 minutes; east longitude 23degrees 26 minutes. 

Upon these two days we were in a rapid current, which we entered on themorning of the 27th, and on neither could we see the slightest signs ofany of the acalepha class; but on the 29th, on which day we experiencedno current, we found the greatest abundance of these animals; it appearedas 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 seenon the opposite one. 

June 29. South latitude 35 degrees 31 minutes; east longitude 22 degrees20 minutes 30 seconds. 

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 theside of the vessel. 

We caught today a great number of the animals (Glaucus) I have mentionedabove as having been taken on the 17th of June, as well as on otheroccasions. I observed these animals in the water, and found that theirlong silk-like antennae had, when uninjured, a length of five or sixinches; they swim with the rounded part first, and the long antennaetrailing after them like tails; the progressive motion is produced byintroducing water into certain sacs, or cavities, and expelling it by acontraction of the muscles with great violence. I observed their motionsfrom 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 whenswimming, and found the mean of several observations by a chronometer togive ten strokes in twelve and a half seconds. 

We caught again many little animals which I had found on the 15th ofOctober 1837; south latitude 37 degrees 28 minutes, east longitude 21degrees 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 inthickness, and of the breadth of two of them abreast; they swam with theblue-pointed ends downwards, which then looked at a distance like thelegs of a caterpillar, and the long string somewhat resembled a longgelatinous band in appearance as it passed through the water; butdirectly it was touched the animals separated themselves from oneanother. These strings were sometimes seen several feet in length. 

We caught large quantities of these animals at one time, and found:

The temperature of the water 65 degrees Fahrenheit. The temperature of the air 75 degrees Fahrenheit. The temperature of the animals 66 degrees Fahrenheit. 

We caught also a fish (Orthogariscus) which the seamen called adevil-fish. 

The length of it was 6 feet 2 inches. Breadth from fin to fin 3 feet 6 inches. Length from tip of nose to pectoral fin 2 feet. Thickness through the breast 1 foot 6 inches. 

This fish was infested about its nose with a kind of parasite (Lernaea)having two long thin tails. The sailors stated that these animalsfrequently cause large sores about the nose of the fish, and that whensuffering from this, it will allow the sea-birds to sit on it, and peckaway at the affected part. The habit of the fish is to swim during calmswith one of the hind fins out of water, and it is then harpooned from aboat. I have myself seen petrels perched upon them; and directly one ofthese fish was hoisted on board the sailors looked for the parasites andfound them. Their dimensions were:

Total length 1. 0 inch. Length of tails 0. 57 inches. Ditto of fore part of body 0. 25 inches. Ditto of hind part of body 0. 15 inches. Breadth across body 0. 25 inches. 

They were covered with a transparent shell, marked with grey spots andlines; the hind part of the body, near the tail, being darker than thefore part, as though the intestines were seated there. These littlecreatures adhered strongly to any substance that they were laid on, andcaused an irritating feeling to the skin if placed on it; they swam withgreat rapidity when put into seawater, and in their movements in swimmingmuch resembled a tadpole; their tails were merely long transparentfibres. 

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 asmall ring of a pink colour, from which ran lines forming the ribs, whichsupported the sides of the animal. There were eight of these: theypossessed great irritability, and if the animal was at all injured, arapid and continued motion was propagated all along them. Some of theseanimals were between two and three inches in length, but they were sodelicate that it was impossible to examine them, for they fell to piecesdirectly they were touched. Only one of these ribs was, at times, affected at the same moment, so that they appeared each to be capable ofan independent movement. 

We caught also many small insects, and some shrimp-like animals. 

The sea was full of some things resembling hairs, but which broke themoment they were touched. 

On this evening we placed a large number of acalepha in a bucket, and onagitating the water it became a mass of phosphorescent light. It isstrange that these animals should never emit this light without beingirritated. 

July 1. South latitude 35 degrees 51 minutes; east longitude 18 degrees56 minutes; average temperature of water, 65 degrees. 

This day many specimens of different kinds were taken; and amongst them ashellfish (Hyalea) the same as that caught on the 13th November 1837, insouth latitude 30 degrees 7 minutes; east longitude 100 degrees 50minutes 10 seconds. This fish today put out the apparatus with which itswam. It consisted of two broad transparent wings, shaped like the firstpair of wings of a butterfly, and which it moved in a precisely similarmanner. Its shell was of a delicate pale transparent brown colour, with ajet black spot in the centre. (See Illustration 6 volume 1 Figure 1. ) Wealso caught an animal of a precisely similar form and colour with this, but which was not provided with a shell. 

The other specimens were:

1. A shell (Janthina)* the same as was caught on November 14 1837, and onseveral other occasions, with its swimming apparatus attached. 

(*Footnote. The corresponding figure, Illustration 9 volume 1, shouldhave been inverted. )

2. Several of the small shells which resemble belemnites (Creseis) whichwere first taken on the 14th November 1837. I this day preserved one ofthese with its swimming apparatus expanded. 

3. An animal without a shell, which had a sort of transparent hornycovering, and when alarmed and not in motion folded itself up. 

4. A tube 3. 2 inches in length, perfectly transparent, and swelling outto a little knob at each extremity; but these knobs were of the samecolour as the body. 

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 ofshort spines on them, one down each edge, and one ridge running down thecentre of the shell or back. 

6. Some perfectly spherical transparent bodies, 0. 18 inches in diameter;these neither moved nor showed any signs of life when placed in saltwater, but another animal, exactly resembling them in shape and colour, with the exception of having some light brown spots on it, unrolleditself like a wood-louse, and then swam nimbly about. They all turned aswhite as eggs soon after they were put into spirits. 

We caught also several species of an animal with two tentaculae, whichhad been also taken on the 17th June, some of these were very large andbeautiful, being of the most delicate amber colour. 

Also many different sorts of medusa, particularly tubes of about 0. 5inches in length, with an apparatus shaped like a proboscis at oneextremity of it. These I have not attempted to describe. In general theanimals we caught this day differed altogether from those we had hithertofound during this voyage. Some few were the same, but the great majoritywere new. 

Many of the medusae and small gelatinous animals must be endowed withvery acute sensibilities and perceptions, for they evinced extremetimidity if any substance approached them, and when plunged alive intospirits, their rapid movements and violent contortions repeatedlyindicated acute pain; indeed so clearly that on this point there could beno mistake. 

A mass of gelatinous animals, caught this day, gave out a slight electricshock. Some of them were shaped like the portions of an orange, and theyevidently were formed to fit into one another in the manner in which theywere found, although they separated directly they were touched. 

July 2. South latitude 35 degrees 58 minutes; east longitude 17 degrees54 minutes. 

This day the ship went so fast that we could not catch anything. Theacalephae were not so numerous as they had been further to the north, butwe saw more and larger medusae than I had ever before remarked. It indeedappeared as if the acalephae diminished and the medusae increased innumber after passing the 36th degree of south latitude. 

July 12. ) South latitude 23 degrees 2 minutes; east longitude 0 degrees26 minutes 45 seconds. July 13. ) South latitude 21 degrees 55 minutes; west longitude 0 degrees44 minutes. 

The vessel went slowly through the water, but although the net was kepttowing we could catch nothing, and there was no appearance of anythingbeing in the sea. 

July 14. South latitude 20 degrees 52 minutes; west longitude 1 degree 49minutes. 

This day we caught a Velella of the following dimensions:

Length of interior cartilage 1. 1 inches. Breadth of interior cartilage 0. 5 inches. Total length of blue base 1. 7 inches. Breadth of blue base 1. 0 inches. Height of centre of crest 0. 5 inches. Rim round crest, in breadth 0. 55 inches. 

This animal differed from those caught on the 11th November 1837, in thefollowing particulars: It was much larger. The base of the animalconsisted of two parts. The centre portion was an elliptically-formedcartilage, elevated in the centre, and marked with eighteen concentricstriae, 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. 55inches in breadth, which ran quite round it. The animal has the power offlapping this to and fro constantly, as a fish does its tail. 

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. Manyminute black spots were dotted all over this. The underside of the outerbase was of a very dark prussian blue colour, and its lower interior edgewas furnished with rows of blue tentaculae, which the animal uses as anelephant does its trunk. The whole interior surface of the oval cartilageis furnished with successive rows of white tentaculae, and in the centreis a long thin white tube, apparently its mouth. 

These animals always swim in company. You see a number together, varyingfrom four or five to twenty or thirty; these are all within a few feet ofone another, and you may then pass over several miles and not see anymore. 

They produce countless numbers of little eggs, of a pale brown colour;these are apparently deposited from the interior white tentaculae, andcannot be estimated they are so numerous. 

We also caught a minute fish, 0. 6 inches in length; a minute species ofnautilus, blue, marked with striae, or grooved, and thus different fromwhat we caught on the 15th; a shrimp-like species of animal 0. 5 inches inlength; the lower part of a species of Diphyes, which had been caught onthe 12th and 13th of November 1837; some minute animals, appearing to bethe 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 intospirits; also a very minute pale blue species of nautilus, I think theyoung of the kind we caught on the 15th July. 

Caught a number of gelatinous animals, differing however apparently inspecies from any we had found before. Some were of the family ofcrystal-shaped animals with blue spots, so often mentioned in thisjournal; also several animals of the family figured June 17th, but whichdiffered from them in the colour of their spots. We caught today aPortuguese man of war (Physalis) of a very different species from thosewhich 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. 

July 15. South latitude 20 degrees 20 minutes; west longitude 2 degrees17 minutes. 

The same animals mentioned in the last paragraph of July 14th were againcaught this day. A great number of the Velella were also taken. 

Caught a small fish:

Length 1. 2 inches. Breadth over roundest part 0. 48 inches. 

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 foodappeared to be the same as that of the other fish taken this day. 

Caught two curious little crabs (Nautilograpsus) one pale blue, and theother of a pale pink colour: also, another little pale blue crab:

Length of antennae 0. 15 inches. Length of body 0. 34 inches. Breadth of ditto 0. 12 inches. 

Caught a small animal shaped like a wood-louse (Cymothoa) having ninerings apparent on the back, and I think seven legs on each side, also, atail-like fin on each side, which, when closed under its belly, formed asort of shield for the lower part of the abdomen. Antennae, transparentwith pale brown tips, and a few pale brown spots in them, colour paleblue down centre of the back, dark prussian blue on each side. It had thepower of rolling itself up nearly double; in the same manner as awood-louse, but not quite so close; eyes distinct and prominent. It liveda long time out of water, and appeared to me exactly like an animal Icaught on the 21st November 1837, in south latitude 24 degrees 19minutes; east longitude 107 degrees 8 minutes. 

We also this day caught a Janthina. They have a little valve for thepurpose of taking in air, with which to expand their float. These animalsgo in company. They emit when touched a brilliant scarlet dye. A similaranimal caught on the 20th November 1837, in south latitude 25 degrees 12minutes; east longitude 106 degrees 49 minutes, emitted a violet-coloureddye. The emission of this evidently depends upon their being irritated, as I found by many experiments. 

The method in which this animal fills its float is curious, it throws itback, and gradually lifts the lip of the valve out of water, until thevalve stands vertical, it then closes the valve tightly round a globuleof air, around which it folds, by means of the most complex and delicatemachinery. The valve is then bent over until it touches the edge of thefloat nearest the head, and when it is in this position, the portion ofit which is inflated with air looks like a bladder, the air gradually isexpelled into the float, and as this process takes place the bladder inthe valve diminishes, and the valve becomes by degrees like a lip pushedforwards until it lies flat on the float. The valve is composed of twoportions, a cup and a lip. The time occupied from first removing thevalve from the float, until the inflation, and the expulsion of air intothe float being completed, so that the valve begins to move again, is 61seconds, from the mean of several experiments. 

These animals have also the power of compressing the valve into a hollowtube, which they elevate above the water like a funnel, and draw down airthrough it. 

The colouring matter which they emit has no stinging, electric ordeleterious properties whatever, that I could discover. I found that whenthis colouring matter was mixed with water, it became of a deep blue. Inthose which I caught in November 1837, I may have been deceived, and thecolouring matter might also possibly have been scarlet directly it wasemitted. It is difficult to conceive what use this liquid can be to thefish against its foes, yet it certainly uses it as a means of defence. 

To one of these shells, the fish in which was alive and well, we foundattached a number of barnacles, some of which were of large size. 

This sort of Janthina was very abundant; today we caught eight, and sawgreat numbers of them: yesterday we caught a smaller one of a differentspecies. (Janthina exigua. )

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, withits shell, and yet remains attached to the float, which continues at thesurface. In one instance, I saw this peduncle elongated to a length of0. 9 inches. It may, of course, have the power of sinking itself muchlower than I have seen it do. When it is in this state, the apparatuswith which it fills the float remains behind the peduncle in a state ofperfect quiescence. 

The scarlet fluid emitted by this animal is of such a consistency that itcan be drawn away from it out of the water, like a glutinous thread. 

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 inthe same manner as the valve; and when opened out like a cup, an orificecan be seen at the bottom of it. It can also expand, and make broad thearm; and it then appears to use them as sails. 

This species of Janthina, I afterwards found, has the power of in somemanner taking in by suction a quantity of water, which it can suddenlyexpel again with great violence, sending it out as if from a squirt. 

We caught, also, an extraordinary fish this day. Its mouth has theappearance 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 everyappearance of a perfectly similar one having been torn from the otherside; a hard horny membrane projected from underneath the stomach of theanimal, being apparently a sort of fin. 

Its colour was of a silvery metallic lustre, having in parts a burnishedappearance, except where it is shaded (see Illustration 5 and below) andthen it was of a dark green colour; the tail was perfectly transparent, except just where it joined the body, and there, where the shaded lineis, it was dark green. 

This fish was swimming about, apparently preying on the tentaculae of thebarnacles, of which there were numbers round the ship attached to thedead Velella, some of which I had caught yesterday; it appears thereforeprobable that its mouth was placed in so extraordinary a position toenable it to seize this pendant prey. 

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 founda species of barnacle attached in great numbers to them. When theseanimals had only recently died, so that the whole of their blue base hadnot been detached from them, the barnacles were generally very minute, sothat the naked eye could only just detect them, and there were no largebarnacles on the same fish: now, how did the minute ones get there? Asthe barnacles grew larger, the remains of the velella changed into largeexcrescences, half the size of a walnut. 

We caught also several little animals, all of the same species, whichswam about on the surface of the water with the greatest rapidity, performing the same kind of evolutions that we see in a little black andwhite insect (Gyrinus) which swims on the top of tranquil pools inEngland. 

July 16. 

This day a curious animal was caught, perfectly diaphanous; total length0. 8 inch; length of third leg, 0. 4 inch; this was provided with a clawlike a crab; head shaped like a grasshopper, 0. 2 inch in length, andplaced like the head of a grasshopper, at right angles to the body; eyesblack and prominent, apparently four, two on each side; first and secondlegs of nearly the same length; the third leg nearly double the length ofeither of the others; five on each side. The top of the head is dividedinto two prominent knobs, one on each side, which, viewed through amicroscope, appear to be minutely reticulated. 

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 fiverings; the lower part, consisting of one shield-like portion, 0. 12 inchin length, the body at the lower portions of this decreases almost to thethickness of a thread; the tail, 0. 3 inch in length, and divided intothree shield-like pieces, laid one over the other as in the shrimp(imbricated); at the lower extremity of each of these scales there is oneach side a fin-like leg, in addition to those above-mentioned. Breadthof the animal across its head, 0. 2 inch, and this was the broadest partof it. It lived for some time out of water, and even when put intospirits, it swam in an extraordinary manner, falling head over heelsevery time, which motion it accomplished by swimming on its back andmaking rapid strokes with the fin-like legs with which it is providedbehind. 

We also caught today several little crabs and barnacles. I kept onespecimen, to show old and young barnacles attached to the same Velella. 

The sea was, this morning, covered in places with fleets of the Velellaof Lamarck; also with great numbers of the species of Janthina which Idescribed yesterday; to both of these kinds of animals large clusters ofbarnacles were frequently attached. These barnacles preyed on thedifferent gelatinous animals which were swimming about. It was curious tosee them seize on these with their hooked tentaculae and draw them in, whilst the acalepha, or gelatinous animal, contracted and dilated itselfwith all its might and main, endeavouring to escape. We saw two or threetimes very large shoals of porpoises ahead of us, and when we reached thespot where they had been we found the sea quite cleared of the animalswith which it was covered in other places, so that we imagined theporpoises must have been feeding on them. We saw also a whale and a sharktoday. 

Although these little floating animals were so numerous there were butvery few of the gelatinous species to be seen, and they were chiefly ofthe larger sorts. I saw one of the species (Glaucus) of which I havegiven a sketch, on the 17th of June. Like all the animals of this specieswhich we caught to the westward of the Cape it had a red intestinal spotin it; but excepting in its great size it differed in no respect from theothers which I had seen: this one was at least a foot in length. 

A number of black minute animals were caught, which, at a rapid glance, looked not unlike fleas with long feelers or antennae. 

We caught also this day an animal (Salpa) which consisted of a gelatinoustransparent bag, having an orifice provided with a valve that opened andclosed the orifice at pleasure; there was no other opening to the sacthat I could discover; I passed the end of a pencil down it, but althoughit passed readily through the valve it could not at first pass throughthe bottom of the gelatinous sac; but I afterwards found that this was anerror, and that the pencil could be passed right through the body of theanimal, which was provided with a valve at each end. I found also thatthe united animals had the power of swimming with either end foremost. There was an intestinal tube in the animal of a dark reddish browncolour. This animal appeared to exist very badly alone, fourteen of themwere always found united together by a plane; they then formed a massshaped like half an orange and having a cup at its upper surface; theintestinal canals, when they are in this position, are all brought nearto one another, and the whole mass looks not unlike a flower; they areunited to one another by so thick a fluid that it is very difficult toseparate them. If one or more are torn away from the mass the outsideones immediately join together and form a united mass again, of theoriginal shape. They open the orifices at different times: that is, twoor three open theirs at the moment that some of the others are closing, so that no regular or simultaneous movement takes place between thedifferent animals. This irregular movement of the animals gives to thewhole body an irregular rotatory motion; but when one is separated fromthe 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 acalephado. 

We saw also some animals of this class, and nearly as large as the ones Ihave just described, but they differed in their form and mode ofattachment, and joined themselves in long strings, two deep, so as tolook like gelatinous snakes. I have before described animals of thisclass with blue spots. I think that a good mode of classifying theseanimals would be from their form of arrangement when united. 

July 17. South latitude 19 degrees 47 minutes; west longitude 3 degrees 5minutes 30 seconds. 

Found a small animal (Cymothoa) like a wood-louse, similar to the one wecaught on the 15th of this month and to another taken on the 21st ofNovember 1837. It had seven legs on each side, besides the five whichwhen taken out of the water it folded over its abdomen; the colour thesame as before described. 

Length 0. 52 inch. Width over broadest part 0. 2 inch. Length of antennae 0. 2 inch. 

Illustration 4, exactly the size of life, gives a good idea of it. Itlived out of the water for two or three hours and did not die until putinto 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 ofthe Velella, to a nautilus, and from that again to some barnacles; eachshell that it reached it climbed up, and folding up its fins ran all overit, so that it appeared like a little navigator which was roving fromisland to island in the ocean, seeking food and nourishment from all ofthem. Are not the ways of nature very wonderful? This little animal wasat least 500 miles from any land, as we term it, yet it was surrounded bysunny islands, teeming for it with the most delicious food, and where iteither basked in the warm daylight, or shaded itself in some oozy recess, as seemed most pleasant to it. 

When walking on these substances it used its antennae exactly as insectsdo, and showed an extraordinary degree of susceptibility when touched. Ido not know that I have ever seen an animal which more decidedly evincedan acute sense of feeling and dread of pain. 

The animal here described belongs equally to the Indian and AtlanticOceans, and appears, as far as my experience goes, never to venture tothe south of 25 degrees south latitude. This is now the third species ofanimals which I have found to be common to the Atlantic and IndianOceans, and which never venture beyond the warmer latitudes. 

The question is how they got round the Cape of Good Hope, or Cape Horn?

Might we not hence infer that there was a time when the continent ofAfrica did not exist? and might not this argument be much extended? Itcould be combated by none of those causes which are advanced relative tothe distribution of species on land; for, 1. The temperature of the water in southern latitudes is very cold at allseasons of the year. 

2. These animals are extremely susceptible of all changes of temperature. 

3. They have no means of warming themselves by exercise or motion. 

4. The species of food which they subsist on is confined to the latitudesin which they themselves live. 

5. They would have to traverse great distances in ungenial climes, andcontend against adverse winds, the children of placid seas and genialsuns hurried into giant waves and chilling storms. 

6. It is not probable that they are swept along in currents, from thecircumstance that in the one which flows along the coast to the eastwardof the Cape we could find none of them, whilst upon its very edge theywere in abundance. 

Could however their eggs be swept along by a current, and after havingbeen wave-tossed for months or years, be at last borne into waterssufficiently warm to hatch them, and the animals, finding themselves in agenial climate, have increased and multiplied?

The numerous little animals of the species which I have always consideredto be the Velella of Lamarck went sailing merrily by us today; the leastbreath of wind made them turn round and round; and this was their mode ofprogression, the animal moved its little sail which I have beforementioned, and worked its tentaculae so vigorously as to make ripples inthe water, in the midst of which it went buoyantly floating along. 

Caught another fish (Stenopteryx Illustration 5) of the same species asthat found on the 15th of July. The accompanying figure is drawn fromminute measurements. The length of this specimen was 2. 5 inches, itsthickness through the thickest part 0. 38. 

What I had before imagined to be either a spine or fin turned out to be apectoral fin. 

It thus has two pectoral, one dorsal, and one ventral fin, properlyspeaking; but the greater part of the body is surrounded by somecartilaginous substance which it probably uses as a fin; under the line bc there is a curved portion of this matter, and above and attached to thefish is a line of round white silvery scales, about ten in number. 

Between a and b there is another curved mass of transparent cartilaginoussubstance, along the bottom of which runs a spine to which is attached afringe-like fin. There is a spine upon the back; the eye is veryprominent and bright; upon the back, between the eye and the spine, thereare successive stripes of purple and burnished gold, so that this littleanimal is one of the most gorgeously coloured denizens of the ocean. Itswims about amongst the purple barnacles and pink nautili, seeking on theshores of these shining islands its prey, the curious formation of itsmouth being admirably adapted to enable it, whilst swimming under thesepainted floating islands, to crop off what it lists. 

There were scarcely any gelatinous animals in the sea this day; but manyJanthina shells and Velella were round the ship, to which were attachedbarnacles of different species; amongst this group of islands numerouscrabs were swimming about and running over them. Animals resembling awood-louse were also in the sea, swimming and running about the floatingshells and barnacles. 

We caught also a new species of Janthina, the float of which, instead ofbeing nearly round and extending over the shell on each side, was spreadlike a spiral fold from the shell; the breadth of this fold was 0. 45inch, close to the mouth of the shell, and it gradually tapered off to apoint, its length being 3. 6 inches. This float being curved round likethe tail of an animal, the whole thing bore the appearance of being asort of snake, of which the shell was the head; the sailors called themcaterpillars before I had examined them. The float was composed of twoparts, one of which was only froth and the other was apparently someextraneous substance attached to the froth. The shell is very differentfrom those of the other nautili in being much more deeply indented withcircular striae. 

July 18. South latitude 19 degrees 49 minutes; west longitude 3 degrees10 minutes 15 seconds. 

We have lately caught several specimens of Creseis. Each consists of acylindrical tube, increasing in size from its broadest extremity to thecentre where it is thickest, and decreasing from the centre to its otherextremity, where it becomes a fine point. It is throughout its extentgelatinous, transparent, and of strong consistency. 

There is apparently a valve at its broadest extremity. 

Length 1. 1 inch. Breadth in centre 0. 1 inch. Breadth at mouth of wide extremity 0. 08 inch. 

We have several times caught a triangular, transparent, gelatinousanimal; it is 0. 18 inch in thickness, and in the outer pulpy gelatinousmass there is an interior sac, and strong muscular bands are markedacross this. The sac is composed of three lobes, two of which haveapparently no external opening, whilst at the end of the main lobe thereis one which closes with a valve; through this I have seen them take inlittle animals, which reached no farther than the centre, from which thelobes radiate, when the sac became violently agitated, and made strongefforts to expel the foreign substance. This animal was very sensitive, more particularly about the opening of the entrance. 

We caught today the lower part of the species of Diphyes which we hadfound 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. 

We also found a very minute species of the animal similar to one which wecaught on July 1st 1840. Those we caught today were scarcely 0. 05 inchesin diameter. They unfolded little wings and flew with them in preciselythe way those did which I described on that day. 

Nothing I have seen is more remarkable than the flight of these littleanimals; their wings are milk white and very large for their body, and asthey fly, the ends, from their pliancy, bend over, which imparts to themotion a very graceful appearance; these wings are composed of a veryfine membrane like that forming the wings of a bat. At one time theselittle 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 dartedforward with great rapidity, and the vibration of their wings was sorapid that I could not count them. When folded up they look like veryminute gelatinous animals with a black internal spot, but when touchedtheir shell can be felt. We saw a shoal of whales today. 

We have caught lately a great many small animals, of which the followingis the description; they swim about from one floating substance toanother and are eaten by the little crabs which are numerous in theseseas. 

Length of body 0. 18 inch. Length of anterior part of body 0. 1 inch. Length of posterior part of body 0. 08 inch. Length of tail 0. 08 inch. Breadth across back 0. 05 inch. Depth from back to bottom of breast 0. 06 inch. 

Head and eyes, deep brilliant prussian blue; body brilliant prussian bluewith a bluish green stripe on each side; tail white. Seen through amicroscope these animals appear to be a beautiful dark burnished bluemottled with silver. The head is remarkably round and regular. 

The body is divided into two portions. The anterior portion is made up ofsix rings or shields, which lap over one another, and it is furnishedwith three legs on each side which terminate in a hooked claw; theposterior part is covered by three shields, and there was only one leg oneach side. I could not make out any tentaculae or antennae. 

I was much struck by a curious circumstance today. As we caught a greatmany gelatinous animals I thought this a good opportunity of taking theirtemperature, which, after an observation so carefully made that no errorcould occur, was found to be 66 degrees 5 Fahrenheit, the temperature ofthe air at the same time being 74 degrees. The temperature of the waterwas now taken and was found to be 2 degrees 5 minutes more than that ofthe animals; thus giving these animals a temperature lower than that ofthe fluid in which they were immersed. I conceived that some error musthave been made in the temperature of the water, it was therefore takenagain and found to be 69 degrees as before; this appeared to me soremarkable that I drew up a table of all the experiments which had beenmade on this subject, the result of which is that the mean temperature ofthese kinds of animals appears to be 64 degrees 9 minutes Fahrenheit; andthat the greatest variation in excess is 1 degree 7 minutes; and indefect 2 degrees 9 minutes Fahrenheit. Is it possible, then, that ananimal can live in a fluid, the temperature of which is constantlyvarying, and preserve nearly a mean heat?

In the following tables I have entered every experiment but one which wasmade on the 17th of June, and in which I believe the animals to have beenkept too long out of water. 

(Experiments to determine the temperature of gelatinous animals whichinhabit the sea:

Experiments to determine the temperature of shellfish inhabiting the openocean:)

This last experiment was made from a sickly specimen which had been keptfor some time in the water: the temperature of water above given is forthat in which this animal was kept. 

We caught again today many animals of the same family (Glaucus) as thoseof which a description is given in the journal for the 17th of June. 

Also many shrimp-like animals (Alima) the bodies of which were divideddistinctly into an interior and posterior portion; all the shrimp-likeanimals which we have caught whose bodies are thus divided swim bydoubling up the posterior part close to the anterior, and then giving astroke with great rapidity outwards. These little animals are verysusceptible, and when they have been in the least injured their limbsremain in so constant a state of tremor that the motion communicated bythem resembles that which would be caused by the passage of a rapidsuccession of electric shocks, rather than any other I am acquaintedwith. 

GEOLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS AT ST. HELENA. 

July 21. 

After visiting Longwood and Napoleon's tomb we rode to Flagstaff Hill tosearch for fossil shells. The whole soil that I saw was composed ofdecomposed old volcanic rocks; but I saw no rock but basalt in differentstages of decomposition; sometimes it assumed the form of porphyry. Ialso saw veins of quartz, gypsum, and jasper. On a part of Flagstaff Hillthere 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 thesewere, but an artillery soldier ascended and brought down some, and ofthese I had several specimens given me; they are found associated withbones which are apparently those of birds. None of these bones were givento me but I saw and examined several specimens. The shells are verynumerous at this point. 

On returning into town I found several specimens of dead land shells, apparently recent; these lay on the sides of the hills, partly buried inthe soil, and bore the appearance of having been washed into thisposition by the heavy rains. 

July 22. 

Rode over in the morning to Longwood, and then proceeded to Gregory'sValley, lying between Longwood and The Barn. This valley, nearly 1700feet in depth, appears at one period to have been the scene of greatvolcanic disturbances. The lowest rock I saw was a compact porphyriticone. The upper strata of basalt were in a state of rapid decomposition;but the whole of the valley was traversed by basaltic dykes in everydirection; these crossed one another in such a way that it was easy totell their relative ages; for instance several of them were in the formof:

So that one had been forced from its position by another longsubsequently to its formation. 

The general form of Gregory's Valley is a large basin bounded by a loftyprecipitous mountain on one side called The Barn, and having a verynarrow opening seaward, through which a small stream has cut its way. Aremarkable circumstance connected with the basaltic dykes is that theyare composed of a more compact basaltic rock than the basalt which theypenetrate, so that whilst the rock has mouldered away these basalticdykes have remained standing; and, as in the progress of their decay theysplit up, they present the appearances of walls built by human hands, with regular layers of stones, and which traverse the ravines of theisland in all directions. 

As might be expected, I found regular basaltic crystals in this valley, and also a variety of quartz ore, and other crystals, in the veinstraversing the basalt. I also found the following remarkable section:

This was in a side valley or ravine leading from Gregory's Valley in asoutherly direction. 

On going down to the sea I found many species of starfish. I brought awaythree species of these with me. Two Species Pentagonal; one speciesQuadrilateral. 

First species Pentagonal length of side 0. 55 inch. Second species Pentagonal length of side 0. 50 inch. Quadrilateral length of side 0. 55 inch. 

I found a sort of worm in the coral which had the power of extending itshead like an English worm; its body then appeared to be composed of twoportions, the fore part being much slighter than the other. Itsdimensions were:

Length of fore part of body 0. 4 inch. Length of hind part 0. 6 inch. Breadth, or diameter of cylinder 0. 1 inch. 

In the coral there was also another insect, not unlike a centipede. 

Length 0. 9 inch. Breadth at head 0. 08 inch. 

In the inmost recesses of the coral there was a minute bivalve shell andalso a very minute species of crab. 

One remarkable circumstance relating to St. Helena is that it is of abasaltic formation exactly resembling that of the Isle of France and theNorth-west of New Holland; and that, although so widely separated inlongitude, these places lie in nearly the same latitude. 

When you quit the sandstone ranges of the North-west of Australiareptiles which have been before very numerous at once become scarce. Inever saw a snake in this great basaltic district although there wereplenty in the sandstone. This however is only negative evidence. Brookes, in his History of St. Helena (second edition page 24) says: "There areneither frogs, toads, nor snakes in the island. " In the Isle of Bourbonthere are neither toads nor snakes. In the Mauritius likewise there areneither toads nor snakes, and only one species of frog, whilst the bonesof 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 about2900 feet (scarcely); and in the volcanic district of North-westAustralia about the same height. 

July 26. At sea. 

We caught a great variety of shrimp-like animals; these little thingswhen disturbed emitted a brilliant phosphorescent light. We saw scarcelyany gelatinous animals. 

July 29. 

Caught two small crabs (Nautilograpsus); these species have the power ofswimming by means of the fringe-like fins with which their legs areprovided. Several other crabs were also caught; some with their eggsattached, and two varieties of shrimp-like animals with eggs. Where thesewere abundant the sea was very luminous. Four or five of these were of abrilliant prussian blue colour, with silver-coloured spots on the back;others were of a very delicate pink colour; the tentaculae of both ofthem were of a delicate prussian blue colour. 

We also caught a species of small Janthina, nearly resembling those wehad found before, but they were larger; moreover the species of barnacleattached to them was totally different from any we had before found, asif each species of nautilus had its own kind of parasite. This is worthyof attention. 

August 8. 

We found a species of Halobates which swam rapidly with the short legsforemost, and the foremost legs appeared to be furnished with a fringe togive them that power. The colour of the legs, dark prussian blue; body ofa silver colour in front, with a prussian blue colour behind; under partof 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 seenthis animal before. 

August 9. 

Caught two or three small insects, somewhat resembling a bug, of a dirtybrick colour and several minute species of Diphyes and small jellyfish. 

August 19. 

Caught a small Janthina nearly resembling those we had formerly seen, also a small crab, two new species of gelatinous animals, and a Velella. 

August 20. 

Several fish, resembling an eel in shape, were caught today; they were ofdifferent sizes, and some of them gave a slight shock on being touched. They were marked across the back with alternate striae of silver, andvarious shades of brown and black, though there were scarce two markedexactly alike. They had a transparent dorsal and two pectoral fins, whichwere all I observed, and a long thin snout or beak; the mouth was just atthe end of it, on the top: some of them were thorny on the back; wecaught also some crabs; a very minute blue fish; a black and red insectresembling 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. 

In 26 degrees north latitude we entered a portion of the sea covered withpatches of seaweed, around which swarmed numerous eel-like fish, crabs, shrimps, and little blue fish; these last swam under those floatingislands, sometimes leaving them for a little distance, but they alwaysreturned or swam to another: the crabs crawled in and out amongst theseaweed, and other fish of a large size came to these spots to deposittheir spawn, so that we were in an archipelago of floating islandsteeming with busy inhabitants and animal enjoyment. 

August 21. 

There were a great many crabs of different kinds and sizes caught today;two kinds of shrimps, one marked across with alternate striae of silverand dark brown; it had no antennae, and had apparently been hurt, as Icould only see some very short legs; the rest appeared to be of the samekind as others recently caught, except being of a lighter colour. Someeel-fish of the same kind as yesterday. There were two other small blueinsects caught; unfortunately none have been preserved as they were putin the same glass with the shrimps and were instantly eaten by them. Thecrabs also ate two small blue fish that were caught. No jellyfish wereseen. 

August 24. 

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 caughttoday. 

August 25. 

Caught various kinds of crabs, some minute shells, and a small curiousinsect, quite new to me, of a bright blue colour; the shrimps appear tobe very fond of these insects, seizing them the instant they are put intothe glass with them. We caught shrimps of all colours and sizes, many ofthem very beautiful; some were of a pale gold colour with bright bluespots; others with different shades of brown, and blue, white, or redspots. They all turned a dark red on being put into spirits. The smallerkinds had a round ball or excrescence on one side just below the head. Iobserved today that the eel-fish carries its eggs in a bag under thebelly; the eggs were of a bright red colour. Two barnacles were caught;also a new and very remarkable fish. 

August 28. 

Caught today two of the fish of the same kind as the one taken on the25th. It had a dorsal fin with 14 spines; a ventral fin; a tail, 16spines; and in addition to these it had four pectoral fins resembling theclaws of a frog, which it used much in the same manner that a lizard usesits claws. The upper pair of these were divided into two joints, thelower one of which was a perfect hand, terminating in ten claws, withwhich it could seize hold of any object, or expand and use it as a broadpaddle, or fin. At the point where these arms are inserted into the bodyand immediately behind them are placed two tubes, one behind each arm. These form its gills, through which it expels the water taken in at itsmouth; the lower pair of arms have only one apparent joint, and each ofthese hands are furnished with five claws; it has two protuberances whichlook like horns, one projects immediately between the eyes, and the otheris situated between this and the dorsal fin, these are covered withlittle spines and it carries them erect. Its colour is pale yellow withbrown spots and stripes on it; the spots about the head and upper armsare much darker than the others; about the stomach are little thingsresembling the wattles of the wattle-bird, they are of a brilliant whitecolour. 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 itsmotions. It swells out the membranes about the spot where its gills oughtto be, so as to puff itself out like a toad when it takes water in: itscolour resembles that of the common English frog, and it looks remarkablylike one when it sits on a piece of weed, resting on its claws andpuffing out its cheeks. There are several lines of red stripes at thebottom of its stomach. 

We caught also a great many shrimps and crabs; some of the shrimps wereboiled and proved to be very good eating. 

August 30. 

At 5 hours 30 minutes P. M. A pine tree passed us, covered with barnaclesand surrounded by fish, which swam about this floating island, eatingsuch things as fell from it. 

No portion of the globe is more thickly inhabited, or affords, inproportion to its size, a greater amount of animal enjoyment than didthis wave-tossed isle. On it were innumerable barnacles, several speciesof teredo, one of which, having its head shaped like a screw split intotwo equal portions, I believe to have been quite new. Many varieties ofcrab and minute insects shaped like a slug fed on the seaweed growing onthe log. 

These last animals were of different lengths. They were shaped like acaterpillar and composed of fifty-six rings; the stomach could only bedistinguished from the back by a sort of excrescence which grew on thelatter; each ring or division of the body was furnished with two pairs oflegs, one pair pointing downwards from the stomach, the other pairprojecting from the back; these legs were composed of bristles, and bysticking them into the timber they were able to maintain their hold andto walk along. In thus progressing they drew into a case the legs of therings they were going to move, and pushed them forward by means of theother 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 wasto lie about amongst the weeds that grew on the tree or to creep intosome large holes that were in it. They did not die when I took them outof water but lived for sixteen hours, and were then as well and strong asever, only dying after they had been put into spirits. 

I got also two pieces of stones from the roots of this tree; they weresmall, quite angular, and had been carried this distance from thecontinent of America without any appearance of being water-worn. Thismust often take place when trees are blown down and washed away byfloods, and in this manner angular pieces of stone may be conveyed manymiles from the rock from which they were derived by the agency of water, and yet not be water-worn. 

August 31. 

At 11 hours 30 minutes A. M. We found a portion of the timber of a ship onthe water, containing animals similar to those on the pine-treeyesterday: this was perforated through and through by different speciesof teredo. 

CHAPTER 8. THE OVERLANDERS. 

CLASS OF PERSONS. 

It is to be expected that a totally new state of things will, in recentlysettled countries, give rise to different orders or classes of menunknown in older lands, but who have been called into existence by novelcircumstances, and whose energies have been so developed as best to suitthe modifications which these hitherto unexperienced causes may produce. In collecting information regarding the condition of our settlements inAustralia my attention was particularly drawn to the mode of life pursuedby some of my enterprising fellow-countrymen, known there under thedenomination of Overlanders, and which is characterised by severalremarkable peculiarities well deserving of observation, particularly at atime when so many young and adventurous spirits are looking towards thatcontinent as the land of their future fortunes and home. 

CHARACTER OF THE OVERLANDERS. 

The Overlanders are nearly all men in the prime of youth, whoseoccupation it is to convey large herds of stock from market to market andfrom colony to colony. Urged on by the hope of profit, they have overcomedifficulties of no ordinary kind, which have made the more timid andweak-hearted quail, and relinquish the enterprises in which they wereengaged; whilst the resolute and undaunted have persevered, and thereward they have obtained is wealth, self-confidence in difficulties anddangers, and a fund of accurate information on many interesting points. Hence almost every Overlander you meet is a remarkable man. 

The Overlanders are generally descended from good families, have receiveda liberal education (Etonians and Oxonians are to be found amongst them)and even at their first start in the colonies were possessed of what isconsidered an independence. Their grandfathers and fathers have been mendistinguished in the land and sea service of their country; and theseworthy scions of the ancient stock, finding no outlet for theirenterprise and love of adventure at home, have sought it in a distantland; amongst them therefore is to be found a degree of polish andfrankness rarely to be looked for in such a mode of life, and in thedistant desert you unexpectedly stumble on a finished gentleman. 

THEIR ADVENTUROUS MODE OF LIFE. 

The life of an Overlander in the bush is one of great excitement whichconstantly calls every energy into action, is full of romantic and novelsituations, and habituates the mind to self-possession and command. Thelarge and stately herd of cattle is at least a fine if not even animposing sight. The fierce and deadly contests which at times take placewith the natives, when two or three hardy Europeans stand opposed to anapparently overwhelming majority of blacks, call for a large share ofpersonal courage and decision; whilst the savage yells and diabolicwhoops of the barbarians in their onsets, their fantastically paintedforms, their quivering spears, their contortions, and shifting of theirbodies, and their wild leaps, attach a species of romance to theseencounters which affords plentiful matter for after-meditation. As thelove 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 uponthe Overlanders, and few or none of them ever talk of leading a settledlife. 

SUDDEN ACCUMULATION OF WEALTH. 

And it is not to be wondered at that the young and ardent eagerly embracea line of life so replete with exciting events and incidents, and whichat once enriches the successful speculator, and fills with plenty andprosperity the region which he enters. The first individual who opens amarket, which no other Overlander has yet visited, rides into thedistrict an ill clothed way-worn traveller; the residents do not at firstdeign to cast a glance upon him till presently it is noised about that anoverland party has arrived, that a route from the stock districts hasbeen formed, and that the incalculable advantage of abundance of cattleat a cheap rate has been secured; landed property instantaneously rises, perhaps to double the value it had a few hours before; numbers of personsfind themselves suddenly made rich without an exertion on their own part, and from all sides individuals flock to see their benefactor. The illclothed way-worn traveller now finds himself at once invested with thedignity of a conqueror. On all hands he is feted, dinners are given tohim, a piece of plate presented, and as he feels the sweets of renown andof the wealth which he has won he meditates fresh conquests on thetrackless desert, new adventures with his tried stockmen, and furtheracquisitions of riches. 

EFFECTS OF THEIR ENTERPRISES. 

Then comes a strange change over the unoccupied Overlander; he hasbrought with him every head of stock which he could muster, and in thecourse of a few days his last beast is disposed of; his establishment isbroken up, he awakes some morning and finds himself a rich man, but hehas no stock; he has so much money but no cattle. He no longer followsthe long array of his stately herd and bleating flocks, his loaded draysand bearded stockmen, through the free wilderness; no longer regulatesand watches their perilous course through the intricate ford of a deepriver, or stands upon some solitary hill to reconnoitre the tracklesscountry and select the line along which the motley assemblage is to pass. He is now an idle unoccupied gentleman, the inhabitant of aboarding-house, with no object in the world before him; but ere long theplans of fresh achievements and speculations are sketched out. You see amuster of bearded weather-beaten men, carrying short-handled whips. TheOverlander enters the group, a short consultation takes place, and in aday or two more himself and his followers are under weigh for somedistrict where he can purchase stock cheapest and make a good start foranother market. 

MAGNITUDE OF THEIR OPERATIONS. 

The magnitude of the operations of the Overlanders would scarcely becredited; a whole fortune is risked, and in the wilderness: its safetydepends upon good guidance; yet far from being intimidated by the thoughtthe adventurers are only stimulated to a greater degree of activity. Thestock of an Overlander is the capital which he has invested in a singlespeculation; and to give an idea of the amount of this I will show, at amoderate estimate, the value of a herd, the property of an Overlander whoarrived in Adelaide in the month of March 1840 from the district ofIllawarra, New South Wales. 

HORNED CATTLE. 

260 Cows, many broken in. 230 Bullocks, 3 1/2 years old and upwards. 190 Steers, 2 1/2 years old and upwards. 39 Steers, 1 1/2 years old and upwards. 70 Heifers, two to three years old. 32 Heifers, one to two years old. 9 Bulls. 5 Calves. 20 Working Bullocks, two shafters. 

855 Total head of Horned Cattle. 

HORSES. 

22 Mares, all in foal, 3 to 5 years old. 5 do. , 5 to 8 years old. 7 Fillies, do. , 2 to 3 years old. 3 do. , rising 3 years, not in foal. 5 do. , rising 2 years, not in foal. 10 Saddle and Draught Horses. 5 Colts, rising 4 years old. 1 Colt, rising 3 years old. 1 Colt, rising 2 years old. 1 Blood Stallion. 1 Draught entire Horse. 1 Entire Pony. 

62 Total number of Horses. 

900 Fat Wethers. 

AMOUNT OF STOCK VENTURES. 

Now, striking a low average, the value in pounds of this herd of cattle, horses, and sheep, in South Australia, was:

Horned Stock 8, 550. Horses 3, 720. Wethers 1, 575. 

Total: 13, 845 pounds. 

But between this and an ordinary mercantile risk no parallel can bedrawn. A merchant insures his cargo so that his total loss can but be asmall portion of the whole. The Overlander cannot do this with his stockand runs a far greater proportionate risk. It must also be borne in mindthat the statement of the herd, which I have above given, does notinclude all that started for South Australia, but only the survivors, who, after traversing so many hundred miles, reached in safety thedestined mart. 

INFLUX OF STOCK TO SOUTH AUSTRALIA. 

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 arebrought over at one time. They are driven in separate flocks of about1000 each, and these follow one another in regular succession. The valueof a flock of 6000 sheep cannot be estimated under 10, 500 pounds. 

RAPID INCREASE OF WEALTH IN NEW SETTLEMENTS. 

So much for the operations of single parties; but when once a road to anew market is opened numbers follow up the tracks of the first hardyadventurer, and the operations of the whole combined are not lessstartling in their magnitude than are those of enterprising individuals. From New South Wales into the province of South Australia the Overlandersintroduced, in 1839:

4, 200 Head of Horned Cattle, 130 Horses, 35, 000 Sheep;

and within the three succeeding months of 1840, upwards of:

7, 000 Head of Horned Cattle, 100 Horses, 25, 000 Sheep;

making, in fifteen months, a total of:

11, 200 Head of Horned Cattle, 230 Horses, 60, 000 Sheep. 

The value in pounds of the above stock being in the whole about:

Horned Cattle 112, 000, Horses 13, 800, Sheep 105, 000, Total: 230, 800 pounds. 

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 mightspring, but, as if irritated by neglect and indifference, gave forthunwillingly only acid roots and scanty bulbs. 

PROSPERITY CREATED BY THE OVERLANDER. 

The first entrance of an Overlander into a district may be compared tothe rising of the Nile upon the thirsty land of Egypt; then does thecountry bear fruit and the land give forth her increase, he enters thedistrict silently, noiselessly, unexpectedly, but his influence is soonfelt everywhere; merchant vessels can now obtain cargoes of wool, and nolonger sail empty away. England receives raw materials, and in exchangeare sent out luxuries and manufactured goods. New clearings are made bythe farmer, who has now abundance of manure; the artisan plies usefultrades, and ceases to labour in the place of beasts of draught or burden;hateful scurvy, the scourge of new colonies, is expelled, not bymedicine, but by fresh meat, milk, and vegetables. But the worker of allthis good is unmindful of it; he has bargained to get the highest pricehe can for his stock, and is already plotting new enterprises; he soughtto serve himself, not others, and has accomplished both. 

The first Overlander having entered a district nothing can check the tidethat follows on. It is in vain for him to declare (perhaps reallyconscientiously) that he conceives the risk of loss of stock to be sogreat that none should undertake the journey; this is only ascribed tohis cupidity and a desire to keep others out of the market; HE has doneit, and why cannot more? This argument is irresistible, and adventurerafter adventurer marches upon his track. 

CONSEQUENCES OF HIS SUCCESS UPON OTHERS. 

Now comes a hurrying into the new district of speculators from the oldcolonies: the fact of a road being found to it from the stock country isa guarantee that it will succeed, and it is in a new settlement that thelargest profits are realized. These arrivals bring with them from theolder colonies experience, capital, and extensive connexions; freshsources of industry and speculation are at once opened up by them; alltown-land and landed property to be purchased at a cheap rate theysecure; money circulates from hand to hand, and an impetus is given, anda progress made, which must be seen to be credited. 

OPENINGS TO WEALTH IN NEW COLONIES. 

The tide of emigration coming in from the older colonies is a certainsign of rapid success; those who arrive from these places are men whohave done well in the first country of their adoption; but to this theyhad repaired when it was thinly inhabited, when land was of very lowvalue and to be procured near the capital; there they have realizedlargely, but it appears to them that nearly all the good things have nowbeen picked up; property has attained such a value that it rises butslowly, indeed is almost stationary in price; and the country is solargely stocked that they are driven to establish their sheep-stations atsuch a distance from the sea coast that the expense of the transport oftheir wool thither greatly detracts from its value. Under thesecircumstances once again do they emigrate, to repeat in a new land theoperations which have before yielded them so lucrative a return; and, strong in past experience, they smile at the errors committed by theyounger settlers, from which they reap many advantages. 

ITS EFFECTS UPON ALL CLASSES. 

But time and intellect are all worth much more in Australia than they arein England, and everyone can realize upon his capital and speculateprofitably upon his intelligence, activity, and strength; for all ofthese he gets paid, hence but few men are willing to follow professions. Clergymen too often turn farmers and speculators, even if they do notaltogether throw aside their sacred character. Medical men but rarelypursue their practice, when such remunerating fields of enterprise arelaid open to them; soldiers abandon their calling; and the governmentofficers are all virtually farmers and stock-owners. 

This is to be expected, from the character of man. In a new colonyeverything increases rapidly in worth--a landed estate which can bebought in the early stages of its existence at a mere nominal price growsyearly in value without a penny being expended upon it; stock increasesin a geometrical ratio, at little or no cost, for there is plenty of landto pasture them upon. Nothing of this kind either does or can take placein England; and when the settler finds how changed his prospects are, andhow new means of acquiring wealth are opened to him, he too often devoteshis every thought and energy to the one object; and so far will thispassion lead men that I have known an honourable member of council andleading magistrate in a colony take out a retail license, and add to hisalready vast wealth from the profits of a gin shop. 

But as stock is that species of property from which the largest returnsare realized, and that with the least labour, it is to this branch ofindustry that settlers generally direct their attention; indeed untilplenty of stock is introduced into a new colony its success is waveringand uncertain, and its inhabitants are generally compelled to undergo adegree of poverty and privation which contrasts strangely with theaffluence of the people occupying the more settled countries. The degreeof care and attention which is bestowed upon the breeding of stocknecessarily ensures both a constant supply of it and its rapid diffusionover all accessible portions of the continent. 

It is extremely difficult to convey to a mind which has nevercontemplated the subject an idea of the rapid advance of stock stationsover the continent of Australia; there is something about it which bearsan almost fabulous character; and the same circumstance takes place withregard to the rise in the price of town and country lands. Those who havenot witnessed such things can scarcely give credit to them. In WesternAustralia town land was bought for twenty-three pounds an acre in themonth of December 1839; and in the month of February 1840, largeimportations of stock having taken place, the same land was sold forsixty pounds an acre. But in other colonies, where overland communicationtakes place, this would be regarded as a very small increase in price fora new colony; there are many instances in South Australia of peoplerealizing, in less than two years, sums of money to the amount of fromten to twelve thousand pounds from the sale of town acres in the city ofAdelaide. 

RAPID SPREAD OF STOCK STATIONS. 

To endeavour to give some idea of the rapid extension of stock stationsover the face of the country I must begin by premising that farming stocksomewhat more than double themselves in two years; or at the end of twoyears they occupy double the space of territory; at the end of fouryears, four times; at the end of six years, eight times; at the end ofeight years, sixteen times; and thus, at the end of ten years, thirty-twotimes the space of country which was originally taken up by stock becomesoccupied by civilized man. 

Exactly in the same ratio as the amount of occupied territory increasesso does the amount of wealth in the country advance, as well as thedemand for labour; and the natural increase of population falling farshort of this, and not supplying a sufficient number of persons to absorbthe wealth which the country is capable of producing, a demand foremigration arises, and a stimulus to it is given by the ease with whichwealth and comfort are acquired in the Australasian colonies. 

COURSE OF THE OVERLANDERS THROUGH AUSTRALIA. 

If the reader casts his eye upon a general map of Australia it will be aneasy task to follow the march of stock for the last four years:

Port Phillip was occupied in 1836, Portland Bay in 1835, South Australia in December 1836. 

COMMUNICATION BETWEEN SOUTHERN AND WESTERN AUSTRALIA. 

The first step taken by the Overlanders was the connexion of Port Phillipwith Sydney, and they thus, as it were, established a great base linefrom which their subsequent operations could be carried on; at thisperiod they did not however bear the name of Overlanders, which was onlygiven to them after Adelaide had been reached in 1838. 

EARLY ENTERPRISES OF THE OVERLANDERS. 

The Overlanders had hitherto been occupied in merely pushing their stockstations to different portions of the colony of New South Wales; but anew and fertile field for enterprise opened to them in the establishmentof the colony of South Australia, which as before stated was in December1836; and many an enterprising mind instantly turned thitherward withearnest longings which soon ripened into action. In November 1837, thatis, in eleven months from the foundation of the new colony, several hardyadventurers had laid, matured, and commenced carrying into operationplans which some deemed insane when they heard of the amount of capitalinvested in so new an undertaking, but which were undertaken by theadventurers in full confidence in their own powers. 

THEIR FIRST EXPEDITIONS TO ADELAIDE, AND TO THE WESTWARD OF PORT LINCOLN. 

Two expeditions started almost at the same time for this new market. InFebruary 1838 Mr. Hawdon moved from the Goulburn and Mr. Eyre from PortPhillip. In April 1838 Mr. Hawdon arrived in Adelaide and shortlyafterwards was followed by Mr. Eyre, who had attempted to take a directroute from Port Phillip to Adelaide, but coming upon an impassablecountry he had been compelled to turn to the northward, and then to makeit by the same route which Mr. Hawdon had pursued. Just eight yearsbefore this period a hardy party of explorers under Captain Sturt hadfirst ventured in a whale-boat to descend a river traversing this unknownland. Rapidly had the fruits of this enterprise ripened to maturity; theriver was now made a highway of commerce, a connecting link between twocountries. 

In the remaining portion of 1838 and in 1839 the energies of theOverlanders were fully employed in supplying South Australia with stock;and during this period several new and shorter lines of route were struckout, the last great improvement of this kind being made by theadventurous C. Bonney, Esquire, who connected Port Phillip with Adelaideby a direct road running nearly parallel to the coast, so that theportion of the continent of Australia which lies between Moreton Bay andAdelaide is now connected by a passable route. 

During 1839 it was felt however that the markets of South Australia nolonger afforded such large profits; but Port Lincoln was then occupiedand a new country opened, to which cattle and sheep were conveyed acrossSpencer's Gulf. This for a time afforded some employment to theOverlanders; but their spirits were secretly chafed by the thought thatthe limits of their career were attained. Several expeditions to thewestward of Port Lincoln were undertaken, and in August 1839 Mr. Eyre, still anxious to open a new market, pushed as far to the westward asDenial Bay; but the journey to King George's Sound seemed so vast anundertaking that although such a scheme was often contemplated the hazardand risk of property appeared, even to a daring Overlander, to be toogreat. 

Yet although none ventured, many an eager heart turned that way, and manya thoughtful face lighted up when a promising plan was unfolded. 

Whilst the Overlanders were thus speculating upon the possibility ofconnecting the Eastern and Western portions of Australia by one greatline of communication, the new settlements of South Australia and PortPhillip were making such rapid advances in prosperity as almost exceedbelief. 

The settlements of Swan River and King George's Sound, which had now beenestablished nearly ten years, were truly in a most miserable condition. So late as the month of September 1839, when I landed at King George'sSound to assume the situation of Government Resident there, thepopulation had been in a state bordering upon want. 

But in the lapse of years the mismanagement and other causes which hadweighed down the settlers in Western Australia had been swept away; andin 1839 an ameliorated system began to be introduced, the energies andresources of the colony were allowed to unfold and develop themselves, and a period of colonial prosperity commenced which bids fair, if notagain checked, to run as rapid and astonishing a career as it has done inSouth Australia and Port Phillip. 

IMPORT STOCK TO WESTERN AUSTRALIA. 

These changes were not unmarked by the Overlanders. Those symptoms ofuneasiness which always precede new eras of events began to exhibitthemselves at both ends of the proposed line of communication. Myofficial situation enabled me greatly to forward these, and all personswho landed at the Sound on their passage to South Australia recognisedthe advantages to be derived from shipping stock to it from Adelaide, andthus avoiding the passage to Swan River round Cape Leeuwin; these personscarried numerous representations to this effect to some of the principalstock-proprietors of South Australia; and at the same time Dr. Harris, one of the oldest and most adventurous of the Swan River settlers, drovea flock of sheep overland from King George's Sound to the inlanddistricts of the Swan River, thus demonstrating the feasibility of thispart of the plan. The news of his safe arrival at Swan River had onlyjust reached the Sound when Mr. Eyre arrived in Princess Royal Harbourwith a vessel laden with sheep; he was followed in a few days byLieutenant Mundy, who came in a larger one laden with horned stock andsheep; and they immediately despatched another vessel for 1000 moresheep. 

STATE OF THE CATTLE MARKET THERE. 

Thus was a sort of communication established between the two colonies;but the profits arising from the sale of stock brought in a vessel werein a great measure absorbed by the expenses of transport, and in thewinter season the passage is too rough to allow of the risk of shippingstock. Were they driven overland, instead of being transported by sea, horned stock could be sold at about 5 pounds per head, and sheep for 15shillings per head less. Moreover the price of the different colonialmarkets would be equalised, and new settlers in all the colonies wouldstart with an equal chance; whereas at present if two settlers with equalmeans go the one to Western and the other to Southern Australia, forevery 100 head of horned stock and 100 head of sheep that the settler inWestern Australia can buy with his capital the settler in SouthernAustralia can buy 200 head of horned cattle and 800 of sheep; thisscarcely appears to create so vast a difference between the two as itreally does until we regard the relative position of the two settlers atthe end of some given term of years, for instance five; they would thenstand thus:

(TABLE OF RELATIVE VALUES OF SOUTHERN AND WESTERN AUSTRALIAN STOCK. )

GENERAL CONSEQUENCES OF THE SPREAD OF COMMERCE AND EMIGRATION. 

The rapidity of communication from point to point has introduced suchvast effects in the march of improvement among distant lands as onlyeye-witnesses can believe. The merchant in London who lays on a vesselfor a certain port regards the affair as a mere mercantile speculation, but could he trace out the results he effects in their remotestramifications he would stand astonished at the changes he produces. Withthe wizard wand of commerce he touches a lone and trackless forest, andat his bidding cities arise, and the hum and dust of trade collect, awayare swept ancient races; antique laws and customs moulder into oblivion. The strongholds of murder and superstition are cleansed, and the Gospelis preached amongst ignorant and savage men. The ruder languagesdisappear successively, and the tongue of England alone is heard around. 

Such are the ultimate effects of the daily occupations of many men in theCity of London, who, seated in a dark and dingy counting-house in pursuitof gain, form and execute schemes the eventual tenor and bearing of whichare not to enrich themselves but the human race. No doubt amongst themass are noble minds who have a perception of the true object of theircalling, who feel a just and laudable pride that they are the employersand benefactors of mankind; whose names, even amongst distant hordes ofuntaught men, pass current, as a security for probity and honour; whowrite a few lines in London and move the antipodes; who within the lastfifty years have either actually erected or laid the stable foundation ofsix great empires, offsets of that strong nation who, together with herprogeny, is overspreading the earth, not by the sword but by the gentlearts of peace and beneficence. 

GENERAL RESULTS OF GREAT MERCANTILE OPERATIONS. 

In the earlier Colonies, founded by the great maritime powers of theworld, national hatred prevailed to a great degree, although war existednot between the parent states: still, at distant points removed from theimmediate control of the law, the hatred of races found vent, crueltieswere committed, reprisals took place, and Europeans warred one uponanother. But England and America, as they progress in these regions, spread a common language and a common faith, and no national antipathiescan be strictly said to exist between them. 

TRADE OF THE AMERICANS WITH OUT-STATIONS. 

The Americans, who are decidedly a more enterprising mercantile peoplethan ourselves, have almost engrossed the profits of the seas surroundingthe Indian Archipelago and the western and south-western portions of NewHolland. Their vessels in these parts are to ours in the ratio of atleast ten to one. They constantly frequent the out-stations of WesternAustralia; supply the wants of those retired portions of the world, andwhere, legitimately, the British manufacturer should command the market, little besides the produce of America is to be seen. The settlers atthese stations derive the largest portions of their supplies from theAmerican whalers, who give them in exchange for potatoes andvegetables--and this species of barter is so profitable to both partiesthat it would be impossible to prevent it (nay the attempt would becruel) by any other means than by inducing British whalers andmerchant-vessels to secure some portion of those advantages which are atpresent wholly monopolized by others. 

EFFECTS OF THE SPIRIT OF SPECULATION. 

The masters of the American whalers participate in a great degree in thefeelings of the out-settlers; from the impressions generated in theirinfancy they are disposed to look with a fraternal eye upon the fewadventurous spirits who have located themselves far from their fellow mento reclaim a home from the wilderness. They have seen, lived amongst, andshared the benefits which result from such commencements, and it is nottherefore to be wondered at that at all the out-stations the mostfriendly relations exist between the settlers and the American whalers;and when, during the five months of the bay whaling season, an Americanvessel 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 perhapsan intermarriage; and when the period of the vessel's sailing arrivesthere are numerous deserters from her crew, who readily find employmentat the different sheep stations. 

DIFFUSION OF EMIGRATION. 

Thus a species of emigration of which nothing is known in England takesplace in the colonies. Men, from the force of poverty, from the desire ofgain, or of founding a family and property in a new land, or for someother reason, quit their homes and enter another portion of the globe. There they find many who, having in the commencement of a settlementrealized the largest profits, are discontented with the percentage theycan now gain upon their capital; and what to the newcomer appears to be ahighly remunerating return they despise; gladly therefore do they disposeof everything to the new emigrants and, animated by that restless spiritof adventure which is common to all first settlers, away they start forthe last new colony or for unsettled lands--New Zealand, the SandwichIslands, the Indian Archipelago, it matters not which--a fresh field ofspeculation has been opened, the tide of emigration from Europe seems tobe setting towards a certain quarter where there are numerous newarrivals who can never compete with old and practised colonists. He whohas seen several cities rise can judge to a nicety, from localcircumstances, upon what site the capital of the new province must bebuilt; and in the same way he can foresee which must become the businessstreet, and hence knows exactly the relative value of every acre of landin the province. In vain for him are reports spread that the capital isto be built in such or such a spot, he but encourages them; in themeantime rapidly and noiselessly his purchases are made, and a freshacquisition of fortune secured. 

This class of men, amongst whom are many Overlanders, are never satisfiedor settled; they are constantly engaged in contemplating changes in theprosperity of colonies and means of enriching themselves, they positivelydisregard personal comfort, and a restless spirit of activity and love ofchange animates them wholly. In these respects there is a greatsimilarity of character between them and the Americans, and it isinconceivable in how short a period of time such a change is broughtabout. 

THE ABORIGINES. 

CHAPTER 9. NATIVE LANGUAGE. 

RADICAL UNITY OF THE AUSTRALIAN LANGUAGE THROUGHOUT THE CONTINENT. 

In the preceding narrative of my Expeditions I have occasionallyintroduced some casual incidents relating to the manners and socialcondition of the natives of Australia, a race generally considered tooccupy too low a position in the scale of humanity to be worthy of anypeculiar regard. In the following pages I shall bring together suchobservations as my intercourse with them enabled me to collect; arrangingmy remarks under the heads of Language, traditional or customary Laws, and social Habits and Manners; and to these I shall add some desultoryanecdotes illustrative of their superstitions, and of some otherpeculiarities of thought and action; and shall conclude with a shortreview of the influence that the settlement of Europeans among them has, or is likely to have, on their condition. 

CAUSES OF A CONTRARY OPINION. 

It has hitherto been very generally believed that the languages spoken indifferent portions of the continent of Australia are radically distinct;and as such a circumstance, were it really the case, would tend to provethat its inhabitants originated from several separate races, it becomesrather an important matter to set this question at rest, and to endeavourto show from what cause so erroneous an opinion originated. 

The arguments which prove that all the Australian dialects have a commonroot are:

1. A general similarity of sound and structure of words in the differentportions of Australia, as far as yet ascertained

2. The recurrence of the same word with the same signification, to betraced, in many instances, round the entire continent, but undergoing, ofcourse, in so vast an extent of country, various modifications;

3. The same names of natives occurring frequently at totally oppositeportions of the continent. Now, in all parts of it which are known toEuropeans, it is ascertained that the natives name their children fromany remarkable circumstance which may occur soon after their birth; suchbeing the case, an accordance of the names of natives is a proof of asimilarity of dialect. 

CAUSES OF ERROR IN ENQUIRERS. 

The chief cause of the misapprehension which has so long existed withregard to the point under consideration is that the language of theaborigines of Australia abounds in synonymes, many of which are, for atime, altogether local; so that, for instance, the inhabitants of aparticular district will use one word for water, whilst those of aneighbouring district will apply another, which appears to be a totallydifferent one. But when I found out that in such instances as these bothtribes understood the words which either made use of, and merely employedanother one, from temporary fashion and caprice, I felt convinced thatthe language generally spoken to Europeans by the natives of any onesmall district could not be considered as a fair specimen of the generallanguage of that part of Australia, and therefore in the vocabulary whichI compiled in Western Australia I introduced words collected from a veryextensive tract of country. 

Again, in getting the names of the parts of the body, etc. , from thenatives, many causes of error arise; for they have names for almost everyminute 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 lowerarm, another for the right arm, another for the left arm, etc. ; and ittherefore seems most probable that in the earlier stages of the inquiryinto the nature of the language of this people these circumstancescontributed mainly to the erroneous conclusion that languages radicallydifferent were spoken in remote parts of the continent. 

PROOFS OF IDENTITY OF THE LANGUAGE THROUGHOUT THE CONTINENT. 

One singularity in the dialects spoken by the aborigines in differentportions of Australia is that those of districts widely removed from oneanother sometimes assimilate very closely, whilst the dialects spoken inthe intermediate ones differ considerably from either of them. The samecircumstances take place with regard to their rites and customs; but asthis appears rather to belong to the question of the means by which thisrace was distributed over so extensive a tract of country, I will not nowenter into it, but merely adduce sufficient evidence to prove that alanguage radically the same is spoken over the whole continent. 

If then we start from Perth in Western Australia, following the coast ina southerly direction, it will be found that between Perth and KingGeorge's Sound a common language is spoken, made up of several dialects, scarcely differing from one another in any material points and graduallymerging into the dialects of these two places, as the points consideredare nearer to one or the other. 

The principal causes of difference between the dialects of these twoplaces are, 1st, that at King George's Sound the terminating syllable ofall names is dropped; and 2nd, that all verbs, with a very fewexceptions, end in gur, instead of the varying termination which is givento them at Perth. Any person who can speak the Perth dialect will, byobserving these two rules, be able to converse freely with the natives ofKing George's Sound. 

(TABLE OF EXAMPLES TO ILLUSTRATE THIS DIFFERENCE OF DIALECTS. )

From these examples it will be seen that the King George's Sound dialectis the simplest of the two; and indeed I am inclined to believe that thedialect there spoken is more simple than that in use at any other portionof the continent. 

If we now proceed to Adelaide in South Australia we still find the samelanguage spoken, but the dialect here is considerably softened; the hardg of Perth is exchanged for k, and b becomes p and w. Many of the nounstake -anga as a termination, and the verbs take -andi and -endi. Thisaddition of soft terminations and a general sweetness of sound appear tobe the peculiar characteristics of the Adelaide dialect. No largevocabulary of this language has yet been published, but one-eighth of thewords known as belonging to the Perth dialect have been found also inthat of Adelaide; we may therefore fairly conclude that when the latterlanguage is better known a still greater degree of identity will be foundto exist. 

Natives from several parts of the Murray and Murrumbidgee and from PortPhillip have been brought into communication with natives from KingGeorge's Sound, scanty vocabularies from some of these points are alsoextant, and the amount of evidence thus gained clearly establishes thatthe several dialects are all derived from a common root. 

The labours of Mr. Threlkeld in the vicinity of Hunter's River and LakeMacquarie enable us to compare the language of that portion of Australiawith those of the other points which we have just considered, and theresult of this comparison also shows that the languages are radically thesame. 

TABLES OF EXAMPLES. 

The following Tables will give a sufficient number of words common tothose four dialects to show the degree of similarity which exists amongthem. 

(TABLE OF SUBSTANTIVES. 

TABLE OF VERBS. )

VARIATIONS OF DIALECT. 

Now before proceeding farther and thus entering upon ground which is verylittle known, there are several important circumstances worthy ofconsideration. In the vast extent of country which is comprised betweenthe points embraced in these tables it was to have been expected thatvery great variations of dialect would have been found. If we onlyreflect upon the differences of dialect existing between the severalcounties of England, so limited in extent, how much greater were thevariations to have been reasonably anticipated in a country between twoand three thousand miles across, where an unwritten language is in use, and where no communication whatever takes place between the inhabitantsof distant portions: moreover in this great extent the vegetation becomestotally different; birds, reptiles, and quadrupeds inhabit one portion ofthe continent which are unknown in another, and external naturealtogether changes. Under these circumstances many new words must havebeen invented, and new terms must constantly have been introduced as thepopulation spread across the country, and as those who were constantlypushing on from the outskirts of the inhabited parts ceased tocommunicate with the districts which had been first peopled, thesechanges must have been unknown to the original inhabitants of thecontinent and to those of their descendants who successively inhabitedtheir territory. 

If for instance this country was first peopled from the north or thetropical parts, the most remote inhabitants of the southern portions musthave invented terms for snow, ice, hail, intense cold, etc. , as well asfor every tree and bird, for every fish and reptile, and for everyinsect; all the compound and comparative terms derived from these, aswell as the original words, we ought therefore to expect to find totallydifferent in the languages of the north and south, of the east and west;and from whatever portion of the continent we imagine the firstinhabitants to have proceeded the same reasoning holds good. 

RADICAL IDENTITY OF THE PRONOUNS. 

But personal terms, such as the parts of the body, the pronouns, etc. , and also verbs describing ordinary actions, ought not to be expected tovary in the same degree; and we shall accordingly find that it is chieflyin words of these and similar classes that the greatest degree ofresemblance is found to exist. With regard to the pronouns this is veryremarkable. In the singular, plural, and dual numbers they almostcoincide in Western Australia, South Australia, and Sydney. The followingtable of the pronouns as used in those places will show this:

(TABLE OF PRONOUNS. )

DIFFERENCES OF DIALECT EXPLAINED. EXAMPLES. 

To those who have not considered this circumstance languages havefrequently appeared to be quite different which in reality are closelyassimilated. Two instances will explain my meaning. The natives in thevicinity of Perth generally use the word gab-by, or kuyp-e, for water, but those inhabiting a district only twelve or fourteen miles distantfrom Perth adopt the word kow-win; the word used by the natives in thevicinity of Adelaide in South Australia for water is kauw-ee. Now, oncomparing these words it might have been hastily concluded that thelanguages of West and South Australia were without affinity; but in factthe variation does not constitute any essential difference, for, considering the interchangeable nature of the consonants b, p, and w, andof g and k, which affect different dialects, we shall find the wordsgab-by, kuyp-e, kow-win and kauw-ee to be only different forms from oneroot. One instance of another kind may be given. The word for the sun atPerth is nganga, whilst at Adelaide it is tin-dee; but the word used bythe natives at Encounter Bay, South Australia, thirty-six miles fromAdelaide, is ngon-ge, and the word used in the southern districts ofWestern Australia for the stars is tiendee: thus by extending thevocabularies of the two places the identity of the language is shown. 

CAUSES OF ERROR IN FORMER ENQUIRERS. 

Up to the present time we have had only very meagre vocabularies, collected by passing strangers, each of whom adopted his own system oforthography, and the comparisons formed from such compilations mustnecessarily have been erroneous in the highest degree. Moreover in manyinstances these strangers were grossly imposed upon. One gentlemanpublished a vocabulary of the King George's Sound dialect which has beenlargely quoted from by other writers; in this the numerals as high as tenare given, although the natives only count to four; and the translationsof some words which he has put down as numbers are very humorous, suchas: What do you mean? Get out, etc. 

COMMON ORIGIN OF NATIVE POPULATION. 

Many words spoken by the natives at Shark Bay are the same as those usedby the natives at Perth, and the dialect in use in the Province ofVictoria appears very nearly to assimilate to the latter, as is shown inthe extracts from Mr. Moore's journal at page 120. Having thus traced theentire of the coastline of the continent of Australia, it appears that alanguage the same in root is spoken throughout this vast extent ofcountry; and from the general agreement in this as well as in personalappearance, rites, and ceremonies, we may fairly infer a community oforigin for the aborigines. This being admitted, two other questions willarise. 

How were they disseminated over the continent?

and

At what period, and from what quarter, did they arrive upon it?

CHAPTER 10. THEIR TRADITIONAL LAWS. 

ERRORS OF THEORETICAL WRITERS REGARDING THE SAVAGE STATE. 

No question has, in as far as I can apprehend the subject, been soutterly misunderstood and misrepresented as the one relating to thecustoms and traditional laws of savage races. Deistical writers andphilosophers of great note but small experience have built up wholetheories, and have either overturned or striven to overturn ancientfaiths and wholesome laws by arguments deduced, in the first instance, from the consideration of man in his simple or savage state; and fromfalse premises they have deduced, logically, argument from argument, until even the most unwilling have begun to doubt. 

COMPLEX LAWS OF SAVAGE LIFE. 

But to believe that man in a savage state is endowed with freedom eitherof thought or action is erroneous in the highest degree. He is in realitysubjected to complex laws which not only deprive him of all free agencyof thought, but at the same time, by allowing no scope whatever for thedevelopment of intellect, benevolence, or any other great moralqualification, they necessarily bind him down in a hopeless state ofbarbarism from which it is impossible for man to emerge so long as he isenthralled by these customs; which, on the other hand, are so ingeniouslydevised as to have a direct tendency to annihilate any effort that ismade to overthrow them. 

This people reject in practice all idea of the equality of persons orclasses; they make indeed no verbal distinctions upon this point, and ifasked, were all men equal? they would be unable to comprehend thequestion; but there is no race that imposes more irksome restraints uponcertain classes of the community. 

CHARACTER OF THE NATIVE CUSTOMS. THEIR GENERALITY. 

The whole tendency of their superstitions and traditional regulations isto produce the effect of depriving certain classes of benefits which areenjoyed by others; and this monopolizing of advantages often possessesamongst savages many characteristics which violate all the holierfeelings of our nature, and excite a disgust of which it is divested incivilized life. In the latter case we see certain privileges evenhereditarily enjoyed; but the weak and strong, the rich and poor, theyoung and old have paths of honourable ambition laid open to them byentering on which they can gain like immunities. While in the savagecondition we find the female sex, the young, and the weak, condemned to ahopeless state of degradation and to a lasting deprivation of particularadvantages merely because they are defenceless; and what they aredeprived of is given to others merely because they are old or strong: andthis is not effected by personal violence, depending upon momentarycaprice and individual disposition (in which case it might be consideredas the consequence of a state of equality) but it is enforced upon thenatives of Australia by traditional laws and customs which are by themconsidered as valid and binding as our laws are by us. 

CONSIDERATIONS ON THEIR ORIGIN. 

The laws and customs alluded to cannot be considered as mere localinstitutions, for travellers and residents in the northern provinces ofthe colony of New South Wales describe as existing there usages nearlyidentical with those which regulate the proceedings of the nativesoccupying the west of the continent. And these testimonies cannot bedoubted for they are incidentally introduced without any theoretical biasand in ignorance of the conformity they tend to prove. Natives from thecountry about the Murrumbidgee have described to me Australian customs asbeing in force there which exhibit the same accordance with those I foundin the west; and I have myself ascertained their existence on severalother portions of the continent. But it is remarkable that, although somany persons have described isolated customs of this people, no one hasyet taken the trouble to digest them into one mass, and to exhibit themin the aggregate, so that an inference might be drawn as to how far thestate in which the natives of Australia are at present found is caused bythe institutions to which they are subjected. 

We find then, in Australia, the remarkable fact that the inhabitants of atract of country nearly two thousand miles in breadth are governed by thesame institutions: and what renders this more singular is that the peoplesubmitted to them are not subjected by written rules of faith, which thechiefs of each race may interpret and modify according to their will; asis the case with those who are governed by the Koran or other similarcodes; but in this instance mere oral traditions are handed down, whichteach that certain rules of conduct are to be observed under certainpenalties, and without the aid of fixed records, or the intervention of asuccession of authorized depositaries and expounders these laws have beentransmitted from father to son through unknown generations, and are fixedin the minds of the people as sacred and unalterable. 

DEISTICAL REVERIES CONFUTED BY EXPERIENCE. 

One common mode of argument among deistical writers is to imaginebarbarous man let loose upon the earth without undergoing any previouspreparation for the scene upon which he was about to enter; and they thentrace out how, urged on by his necessities and aided by his senses, hesuccessively discovered the natural productions necessary for hissubsistence and the arts which ministered to his wants, until step bystep he mounted to the pinnacle of civilization. But these are merelyreveries of the closet, dreams of the inexperienced, and have no realfoundation in as far at least as Australia is concerned. That the firstnatives who were placed on that continent must have been instructed howto provide for their wants, how to form weapons suited to theircircumstances, how to select roots, and to capture animals fitted forfood, has been demonstrated over and over again, but at no time moreforcibly than when the portion of my party, under Mr. Walker, were comingoverland from Gantheaume Bay to Perth. In this case six full-grown men, provided with knives, fishing-hooks and lines, a kettle, vessels to holdwater and cook their food, arms, and a small quantity of ammunition, andmany of them possessing considerable experience in the bush, must allhave perished from hunger had not timely assistance reached them; andthis from their ignorance as to which of the productions surrounding themwould serve to support life, and not from neglect in making the requisiteexperiments to endeavour to ascertain this, for the poor fellows ateeverything they could find which appeared to afford sustenance; yetnotwithstanding all the comparative advantages they were in possessionof, if the relief sent from Perth had not reached them, death must haveovertaken all. The same result has frequently occurred under nearlysimilar circumstances. If then men, full-grown, in the completepossession of all their faculties, provided with fire and many usefulimplements, and aided by considerable experience, from ignorance of thenatural productions of a country, and the means of procuring these, diefrom hunger ere they can learn how to supply their wants, is it probablethat an unarmed, naked, untaught man, who knew not even how to make hissenses act in concert until he had from experience acquired thisknowledge, could by any possibility have avoided a fate, which wouldinevitably overtake the European in possession of all his superiorenergies of mind and character, if he chance not to fall in with friendlynatives. 

ENQUIRY INTO THE ORIGIN OF THE NATIVE LAWS. 

The laws of this people are unfitted for the government of a singleisolated family, some of them being only adapted for the regulation of anassemblage of families; they could therefore not have been a series ofrules given by the first father to his children: again, they could nothave been rules given by an assembly of the first fathers to theirchildren, for there are these remarkable features about them that someare of such a nature as to compel those subject to them to remain in astate of barbarism, whilst others are adapted to the wants andnecessities of savage RACES, as well as to prevent too closeintermarriages of a people who preserve no written or symbolical recordsof any kind; and in all these instances the desired ends are obtained bythe simplest means, so that we are necessitated to admit that, when theserules were planned it was foreseen that the race submitted to them wouldbe savages, and under this foresight the necessary provision was made forthe event. 

We cannot argue that this race was originally in a state of civilization, and that from the introduction of certain laws amongst them, the tendencyof which was to reduce them to a state of barbarism, or from some othercause, they had gradually sunk to their present condition; for in thatcase how could those laws which provide solely for the necessities of apeople in their present state have been introduced amongst them? Neithercould they have been invented according to necessities and emergencieswhich a savage state has produced, for under such circumstances it isimpossible that they could have been promulgated and enforced throughoutso wide a range of country, and amongst a dispersed race of barbarians ofsuch a variety of dispositions, who acknowledge no chief or lawgiver, andare so characteristically impatient of restraint. 

Without in this place attempting to form and to support any theoriesfounded upon the views I have just put forward, I may state my impressionthat it would seem, from the laws and customs of the natives ofAustralia, to have been willed that this people should until a certainperiod remain in their present condition, which is consequently not theresult of mere accident, or of the natural constitution of man. From thepeculiar nature of their institutions it was impossible that they couldemerge from a state of barbarism whilst these remained in force, and fromthe tenacity and undeviating strictness with which they are retained, andthe strong power they hold over the savage mind, it seems equallyimpossible that they could have been abrogated, or even altered, untilthe race subjected to them came into contact with a civilized communitywhose presence might exercise a new influence, under which the ancientsystem would expire or be swept away. 

We may, I think, fairly produce this as a proof that the progress ofcivilization over the earth has been directed, set bounds to, andregulated by certain laws framed by Infinite wisdom; and, although suchviews may by some be deemed visionary, I feel some confidence that theselaws are as certain and definite as those which control the movements ofthe heavenly bodies. I believe moreover, that they are capable in somedegree of being studied and reduced to order, although no attempt to doso has hitherto been made; and the institutions of barbarous races, theirprobable 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 beparticularly directed. 

CONCLUDING OBSERVATIONS. 

The progress of events and the rapid march of science in our country arevery wonderful, but the progress of events in the eastern hemisphere atthe present moment is still more amazing: Christianity and civilizationare marching over the world with a rapidity not fully known or estimatedby any one nation; the English are scarcely aware what has been effectedby their own missionaries and commerce, and they are utterly ignorant ofwhat has been already done, and is now doing, by the Americans, Dutch, and Portuguese. 

CHAPTER 11. LAWS OF RELATIONSHIP, MARRIAGE, AND INHERITANCE. 

RELATIONSHIP AND MARRIAGE. DIVISION OF FAMILIES. 

Traditional Laws of Relationship and Marriage. 

One of the most remarkable facts connected with the natives is that theyare divided into certain great families, all the members of which bearthe same names, as a family, or second name: the principal branches ofthese families, so far as I have been able to ascertain, are the:

BallarokeTdondarupNgotakNagarnookNogonyukMongalungNarrangur. 

But in different districts the members of these families give a localname to the one to which they belong, which is understood in thatdistrict to indicate some particular branch of the principal family. Themost common local names are:

DidarokeGwerrinjokeMaleokeWaddarokeDjekokeKotejumenoNamyungoYungaree. 

These family names are common over a great portion of the continent; forinstance, on the Western coast, in a tract of country extending betweenfour and five hundred miles in latitude, members of all these familiesare found. In South Australia I met a man who said that he belonged toone of them, and Captain Flinders mentions Yungaree as the name of anative in the gulf of Carpentaria. 

LAW OF MARRIAGE. 

These family names are perpetuated and spread through the country by theoperation of two remarkable laws:

1. That children of either sex always take the family name of theirmother. 

2. That a man cannot marry a woman of his own family name. 

COINCIDENT INSTITUTIONS AMONGST THE NORTH AMERICAN INDIANS. 

But not the least singular circumstance connected with these institutionsis their coincidence with those of the North American Indians, which arethus stated in the Archaeologia Americana:*

Independent of political or geographical divisions, that into families orclans has been established from time immemorial. At what time and in whatmanner the division was first made is not known. At present, or till verylately, every nation was divided into a number of clans, varying in theseveral nations from three to eight or ten, the members of whichrespectively were dispersed indiscriminately throughout the whole nation. It has been fully ascertained that the inviolable regulations by whichthose clans were perpetuated amongst the southern nations were, first, that no man could marry in his own clan; secondly, that every childbelongs to his or her mother's clan. Among the Choctaws there are twogreat divisions, each of which is subdivided into four clans, and no mancan marry in any of the four clans belonging to his division. Therestriction among the Cherokees, the Creeks, and the Natches, does notextend beyond the clan to which the man belongs. 

There are sufficient proofs, that the same division into clans, commonlycalled tribes, exists among almost all the other Indian nations. But itis not so clear that they are subject to the same regulations whichprevail amongst the southern Indians. 

(*Footnote. Volume 2 page 109. )

. .. 

A similar law of consanguinity seems to be inferred in Abraham's reply toAbimelech (Genesis 20:12) And yet indeed she is my sister; she is thedaughter of my father, but not the daughter of my mother, and she becamemy wife. 

FAMILY NAMES AND SIGNS. ORIGIN OF FAMILY NAMES. 

The origin of these family names is attributed by the natives todifferent causes, but I think that enough is not yet known on the subjectto enable us to form an accurate opinion on this point. One originfrequently assigned by the natives is that they were derived from somevegetable or animal being very common in the district which the familyinhabited, and that hence the name of this animal or vegetable becameapplied to the family. I have in my published vocabulary of the nativelanguage, under each family name, given its derivations as far as I couldcollect them from the statements of the natives. 

But as each family adopts some animal or vegetable as their crest orsign, or Kobong, as they call it, I imagine it more likely that thesehave been named after the families than that the families have been namedafter them. 

SECOND COINCIDENCE. 

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 speciesto which his kobong belongs, should he find it asleep; indeed he alwayskills it reluctantly, and never without affording it a chance to escape. This arises from the family belief that some one individual of thespecies is their nearest friend, to kill whom would be a great crime, andto be carefully avoided. Similarly a native who has a vegetable for hiskobong may not gather it under certain circumstances and at a particularperiod of the year. The North American Indians have this same custom oftaking some animal as their sign. Thus it is stated in the ArchaeologiaAmericana:* "Each tribe has the name of some animal. Among the Hurons thefirst 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 isdivided into two, the great and the little. " And again, in speaking ofthe Sioux tribes:** "Each of these derives its name from some animal, part of an animal, or other substance which is considered as the peculiarsacred object or medicine, as the Canadians call it, of each bandrespectively. " To this we may add the testimony of John Long, whosays, *** "one part of the religious superstition of the savages consistsin each of them having his totem, or favourite spirit, which he believeswatches over him. This totem they conceive assumes the shape of somebeast or other, and therefore they never kill, hunt, or eat the animalwhose form they think the totem bears. "

(*Footnote. Volume 2 page 109 quoting from Charlevoix volume 3 page 266. )

(**Footnote. Ibid page 110 quoting from Major Long's Exp. Volume 1chapter 15. )

(***Footnote. Voyages and Travels page 86. )

Civilized nations, in their heraldic bearings, preserve traces of thesame custom. 

BETROTHMENTS AND MARRIAGES. 

Female children are always betrothed within a few days after their birth;and from the moment they are betrothed the parents cease to have anycontrol over the future settlement of their child. Should the firsthusband die before the girl has attained the years of puberty she thenbelongs to his heir. 

A girl lives with her husband at any age she pleases, no control whateveris in this way placed upon her inclinations. 

WIDOWS. 

When a native dies his brother inherits his wives and children, but hisbrother must be of the same family name as himself. The widow goes to hersecond husband's hut three days after the death of her first. 

The old men manage to keep the females a good deal amongst themselves, giving their daughters to one another, and the more female children theyhave the greater chance have they of getting another wife by this sort ofexchange; but the women have generally some favourite amongst the youngmen, always looking forward to be his wife at the death of her husband. 

OBLIGATIONS OF RELATIONSHIP. DIVISION OF FAMILY BRANCHES. 

But a most remarkable law is that which obliges families connected byblood upon the female side to join for the purpose of defence andavenging crimes; and as the father marries several wives, and very oftenall of different families, his children are repeatedly all dividedamongst themselves; no common bond of union exists between them, and thiscustom alone would be sufficient to prevent this people ever emergingfrom the savage state. 

As their laws are principally made up of sets of obligations due frommembers of the same great family towards one another--which obligationsof family names are much stronger than those of blood--it is evident thata vast influence upon the manners and state of this people must bebrought about by this arrangement into classes. I therefore devoted agreat portion of my attention to this point, but the mass of materials Ihave collected is so large that it would occupy much more time to arrangeit than I have been able to spare so as to do full justice to thesubject; but in order to give an accurate idea of the nature of theenquiries I pursued I have given in the Appendix A a short genealogicallist which will show the manner in which a native gives birth to aprogeny of a totally different family name to himself; so that a districtof country never remains for two successive generations in the samefamily. These observations, as well as others made with regard to thenatives, can be only considered to apply, as yet, to that portion ofWestern Australia lying between the 30th and 35th parallels of southlatitude unless the contrary is expressly stated; though I think there isstrong reason to suppose that they will, in general, be found to obtainthroughout the continent. 

DIFFICULTY OF PURSUING THE ENQUIRY. 

It is impossible for any person not well acquainted with the language ofthe natives and who does not possess great personal influence over themto pursue an inquiry of this nature; for one of the customs most rigidlyobserved and enforced amongst them is never to mention the name of adeceased person, male or female. In an inquiry therefore whichprincipally turns upon the names of their ancestors this prejudice mustbe every moment violated, and a very great difficulty has thus to beencountered in the outset. The only circumstance which at all enabled meto overcome this was that the longer a person has been dead the lessrepugnance do they evince in uttering his name. I therefore in the firstinstance endeavoured to ascertain only the oldest names on record; and onsubsequent occasions, when I found a native alone and in a loquacioushumour, I succeeded in filling up some of the blanks. Occasionally roundtheir fires at night I managed to involve them in disputes regardingtheir ancestors, and on these occasions gleaned much of the informationof which I was in want. 

LAWS OF LANDED PROPERTY. RIGHTS AND BOUNDARIES. PROPERTY VESTED ININDIVIDUALS. 

Traditional Laws relative to Landed Property. 

Landed property does not belong to a tribe, or to several families, butto a single male; and the limits of his property are so accuratelydefined that every native knows those of his own land, and can point outthe various objects which mark his boundary. I cannot establish the factand the universality of this institution better than by the followingletter addressed by Dr. Lang, the Principal of Sydney College, New SouthWales, to Dr. Hodgkin, the zealous advocate of the Aboriginal Races:*

(*Footnote. Extracted from the Reports of the Aboriginal ProtectionSociety. )

Liverpool, 15th November 1840. 

My Dear Friend, In reply to the question which you proposed to me some time ago in thecourse of conversation in London, and of which you have reminded me inthe letter I had the pleasure of receiving from you yesterday, with thepamphlets and letters for America, namely, Whether the Aborigines of theAustralian continent have any idea of property in land, I beg to answermost decidedly in the affirmative. It is well known that these Aboriginesin no instance cultivate the soil, but subsist entirely by hunting andfishing, 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 intotribes, more or less numerous, according to circumstances, and designatedfrom the localities they inhabit; for although universally a wanderingrace, with respect to places of habitation, their wanderings arecircumscribed by certain well-defined limits, beyond which they seldompass, except for purposes of war or festivity. In short, every tribe hasits own district, the boundaries of which are well known to the nativesgenerally; and within that district all the wild animals are consideredas much the property of the tribe inhabiting, or rather ranging on, itswhole extent, as the flocks of sheep and herds of cattle that have beenintroduced into the country by adventurous Europeans are held by Europeanlaw and usage the property of their respective owners. In fact, as thecountry is occupied chiefly for pastoral purposes, the difference betweenthe Aboriginal and the European ideas of property in the soil is moreimaginary than real, the native grass affording subsistence to thekangaroos 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 witha particular mark like the latter, and are somewhat wilder and moredifficult to catch. 

EFFECTS OF EUROPEAN APPROPRIATION. 

Nay, as the European regards the intrusion of any other white man uponthe cattle-run, of which European law and usage have made him thepossessor, and gets it punished as a trespass, the Aborigines of theparticular tribe inhabiting a particular district regard the intrusion ofany other tribe of Aborigines upon that district, for the purposes ofkangaroo hunting, etc. , as an intrusion to be resisted and punished byforce of arms. In short this is the frequent cause of Aboriginal, as itis of European wars; man, in his natural state, being very much alike inall conditions--jealous of his rights and exceedingly pugnacious. It istrue the European intruders pay no respect to these Aboriginal divisionsof the territory, the black native being often hunted off his own groundor destroyed by European violence, dissipation, or disease, just as hiskangaroos are driven off that ground by the European's black cattle; butthis surely does not alter the case as to the right of the Aborigines. 

UNIVERSALITY OF THIS CUSTOM. 

But particular districts are not merely the property of particulartribes; particular sections or portions of these districts areuniversally recognised by the natives as the property of individualmembers of these tribes; and when the owner of such a section or portionof territory (as I ascertained was the case at King George's Island) hasdetermined on burning off the grass on his land, which is done for thedouble purpose of enabling the natives to take the older animals moreeasily, and to provide a new crop of sweeter grass for the risinggeneration of the forest, not only all the other individuals of his owntribe, but whole tribes from other districts, are invited to the huntingparty and the feast and dance, or corroboree that ensue; the wild animalson 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 questionson the subject, who were the Aboriginal owners of particular tracts ofland now held by Europeans; and indeed this idea of property in the soil, FOR HUNTING PURPOSES, is universal among the Aborigines. They seldomcomplain of the intrusion of Europeans; on the contrary, they are pleasedat their sitting down, as they call it, on their land: they do notperceive that their own circumstances are thereby sadly altered for theworse in most cases; that their means of subsistence are gradually moreand more limited, and their numbers rapidly diminished: in short, in thesimplicity of their hearts, they take the frozen adder in their bosom, and it stings them to death. They look for a benefit or blessing fromEuropean intercourse, and it becomes their ruin. 

If I had had a little more leisure I would have written more at lengthand in a style more worthy of your perusal; but you may take it ascertain, at all events, that the Aborigines of Australia HAVE an idea ofproperty in the soil in their native and original state, and that thatidea is, in reality, not very different from that of the Europeanproprietors of sheep and cattle, by whom they have, in so many instancesbeen dispossessed, without the slightest consideration of their rights orfeelings. 

Indeed the infinity of the native names of places, all of which aredescriptive and appropriate, is of itself a prima facie evidence of theirhaving strong ideas of property in the soil; for it is only where suchideas are entertained and acted on that we find, as is certainly the casein Australia, Nullum sine nomine saxum. 

I am, my dear Friend, Your's very sincerely, JOHN DUNMORE LANG. 

To Dr. Hodgkin. 

. .. 

LAWS OF INHERITANCE AND TRESPASS. LINE OF INHERITANCE. 

A father divides his land during his lifetime, fairly apportioning itamongst his several sons, and at as early an age as fourteen or fifteenthey can point out the portion which they are eventually to inherit. 

If the males of a family become extinct the male children of thedaughters inherit their grandfather's land. 

CERTAIN LAWS REGARDING ARTICLES OF FOOD. 

The punishment of trespass for the purpose of hunting, is invariablydeath, if taken in the fact, and at the very least an obstinate contestensues. If the trespasser is not taken in the fact, but is recognisedfrom his footmarks, or from any other circumstance, and is ever caught ina defenceless state, he is probably killed; but if he appears attended byhis friends he is speared through the thigh, in a manner which will bementioned under the head of punishments. 

There are other laws intended for the preservation of food, such as thatwhich enjoins that:

1. No vegetable production used by the natives as food should be pluckedor gathered when bearing seed. 

2. That certain classes of natives should not eat particular articles offood; this restriction being tantamount to game laws, which preservecertain choice and scarce articles of food from being so generallydestroyed as those which are more abundant. 

3. The law regarding the family kobongs, mentioned above. 

Independent of these laws there are certain articles of food which theyreject in one portion of the continent and which are eaten in another;and that this rejection does not arise from the noxious qualities of thearticle is plain, for it is sometimes not only of an innocent nature butboth palatable and nutritious: I may take for example the unio, which thenatives of South-west Australia will not eat because, according to atradition, a long time ago some natives ate them and died through theagency of certain sorcerers who looked upon that shellfish as theirpeculiar property. 

CHAPTER 12. CRIMES AND PUNISHMENTS. 

Laws relative to Deaths and Punishments. 

SUPERSTITIOUS REVENGE OF NATURAL DEATH. 

The natives do not allow that there is such a thing as a death fromnatural causes; they believe that were it not for murderers or themalignity of sorcerers they might live for ever: hence:

When a native dies from the effect of an accident or from some naturalcause they use a variety of superstitious ceremonies to ascertain in whatdirection the sorcerer lives, whose evil practices have brought about thedeath of their relative; this point being satisfactorily settled byfriendly sorcerers, they then attach the crime to some individual, andthe funeral obsequies are scarcely concluded ere they start to avengetheir supposed wrongs. 

MURDER. 

If a native is slain by another wilfully they kill the murderer or any ofhis friends they can lay hands on. 

If a native kills another accidentally he is punished according to thecircumstances of the case; for instance, if, in inflicting spear woundsas a punishment for some offence, one of the agents should spear theculprit through the thigh, and accidentally so injure the femoral arterythat he dies, the man who did so would have to submit to be spearedthrough both thighs himself. 

CONSEQUENCES OF A CRIME COMMITTED. 

The first great principle with regard to punishments is that all therelatives of a culprit, in the event of his not being found, areimplicated in his guilt; if therefore the principal cannot be caught hisbrother or father will answer nearly as well, and failing these, anyother male or female relatives who may fall into the hands of theavenging party. 

When therefore it is known among the natives that any crime which callsfor a very heavy measure of punishment has been committed great andwidespread consternation prevails; and when it is further ascertainedthat the culprit has escaped everyone in the remotest degree connectedwith him becomes filled with anxiety, for it is impossible to tell inwhat direction the blow will fall. The brothers of the criminal conceivethemselves to be quite as guilty as he is, and only those who arejee-dyte, or unconnected with the family of the guilty person, believethemselves in safety. Little children of seven or eight years old, if, whilst playing, they hear that some murder has taken place, can in amoment tell whether or not they are jee-dyte, and, even at this tenderage take their measures accordingly. 

DUTY OF REVENGE. 

The moment any great crime has been committed those who have witnessed itraise loud cries, which are taken up by more distant natives and areechoed widely through the woods. The nature of these cries indicates whohas 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 theircalls to what point to repair and muster their several forces: theculprit and generally his brothers and near relatives seek safety in aprecipitate flight. 

If a native has been slain his near male relations give way to the mostviolent paroxysms of rage, and are forcibly held by their friends toprevent them doing some injury to the bystanders; they then go andconfront the body of those who are the relatives of the murderer, and astormy altercation takes place; this generally however is terminated inan 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 andpunished; for until this takes place the whole of his connexions are indanger. 

The holiest duty a native is called on to perform is that of avenging thedeath 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 oldwomen; his wives, if he be married, would soon quit him; if he isunmarried not a single young woman would speak to him; his mother wouldconstantly cry and lament she should ever have given birth to sodegenerate a son; his father would treat him with contempt, andreproaches would constantly be sounded in his ear. 

PURSUIT OF A CRIMINAL. 

Directly therefore the funeral ceremonies have been performed theavenging parties start in pursuit of the murderer, and follow hisfootsteps 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 scarcelybe credited; forgetting in this instance their usual caution, theytrespass on other natives' ground, and all other passions and feelingsappear to be absorbed in a burning thirst for vengeance. They sleep atnight upon the track which they had been prevented by the darkness fromfollowing further, and with the first pale light of morning pursue itfrom the same point. 

IMPLICATION OF A MURDERER'S FAMILY IN HIS CRIME. 

When such energy is displayed success must of course often follow, andthe overtaken criminal then falls, pierced by many spears; but should heelude his pursuers they wreak their vengeance on any native they meet. The murderer has naturally fled to the land of his friends to claim theirhospitality; sometimes this is afforded him, and sometimes he istreacherously given up to his foes; but should the criminal escape, thepursuing party rarely return from an excursion of this nature withoutshedding blood: their not finding the guilty individual only inflamesstill more their anger, which they wreak on children or any unfortunateindividual who may fall into their hands. 

BREACHES OF THE LAWS OF MARRIAGE. STEALING A WIFE. 

Stealing a wife is generally punished with death. If the woman is notreturned within a certain period either her seducer or one of hisrelatives is certain eventually to be slain. 

BREACH OF MARRIAGE LAWS. 

The crime of adultery is punished severely, often with death. Anythingapproaching the crime of incest, in which they include marriages out ofthe right line, they hold in the greatest abhorrence, closelyassimilating in this last point with the North American Indians, of whomit is said in the Archaeologia Americana:

They profess to consider it highly criminal for a man to marry a womanwhose totem (family name) is the same as his own, and they relateinstances when young men, for a violation of this rule, have been put todeath by their own nearest relatives. *

(*Footnote. Volume 2 page 110 quoting from Tanner's Narrative page 313. )

And again: According to their own account, the Indian nations weredivided into tribes for no other purpose than that no one might ever, either through temptation or mistake, marry a near relation, which atpresent is scarcely possible, for whoever intends to marry must take aperson of a different tribe. *

(*Footnote. Ibid. )

The same feeling was remarked by Dobrizhoffer in South America; for, speaking of an interview with a native tribe to whom he was preaching, hesays:

The old man, when he heard from me that marriage with relations wasforbidden, exclaimed, "Thou sayest well, father, such marriages areabominable; but that we know already. " From which I discovered thatincestuous connexions are more execrable to these savages than murder orrobbery. *

(*Footnote. Account of the Abipones Volume 1 page 69. )

PUNISHMENT OF SECONDARY OFFENCES. ORDEAL AND PUNISHMENT FOR OTHERTRANSGRESSIONS. 

Any other crime may be compounded for by the criminal appearing andsubmitting himself to the ordeal of having spears thrown at him by allsuch persons as conceive themselves to have been aggrieved, or bypermitting spears to be thrust through certain parts of his body; such asthrough the thigh, or the calf of the leg, or under the arm. The partwhich is to be pierced by a spear is fixed for all common crimes, and anative who has incurred this penalty sometimes quietly holds out his legfor the injured party to thrust his spear through. 

When a native, after having absconded for fear of the consequences ofsome crime which he has committed, comes in to undergo the ordeal ofhaving spears thrown at him, a large assemblage of his fellows takesplace; their bodies are daubed with paint which is put on in the mostfantastic forms, their weapons are polished, sharpened, and renderedthoroughly efficient; at the appointed time young and old repair to theplace of ordeal, and the wild beauty of the scenery, the painted forms ofthe natives, the savage cries and shouts of exultation which are raisedas the culprit dexterously parries, or by rapid leaps and contortions ofhis body avoids the clouds of spears which are hurled at him, all combineto 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 hehas committed his guilt is wiped away; or if none of the spears thrown athim (for there is a regulated number which each may throw) take effect heis equally pardoned. 

But no sooner is this main part of the ceremony over than two or threeduels take place between some individuals who have quarrels of their ownto settle; after these combatants have thrown a few spears some of theirfriends rush in and hold them in their arms, when the etiquette on suchoccasions is to struggle violently for a few minutes, as if anxious torenew the contest, and then to submit quietly to superior force and ceasethe combat. 

NATIVE APATHY UNDER COMMON WOUNDS. ANECDOTE. 

The natives pay but little regard to the wounds they receive in duels orwhich are inflicted on them as punishments; their sufferings from allinjuries are much less than those which Europeans would undergo insimilar circumstances; this may probably arise from their abstemious modeof life, and from their never using any other beverage than water. Astriking instance of their apathy with regard to wounds was shown on oneoccasion in a fight which took place in the village of Perth in WesternAustralia. A native man received a wound in that portion of his framewhich is only presented to enemies when in the act of flight, and thespear which was barbed remained sticking in the wound; a gentleman whowas standing by watching the fray regarded the man with looks of pity andcommiseration, which the native perceiving, came up to him, holding thespear (still in the wound) in one hand, and turning round so as to exposethe injury he had received, said, in the most moving terms, "Poor fellow, sixpence give it 'um. "

CHAPTER 13. SOCIAL CONDITION AND DOMESTIC HABITS. 

POPULATION. 

Several writers have given calculations as to the number of nativeinhabitants to each square mile in Australia. Now, although I have donemy utmost to draw up tables which might even convey an approximateresult, I have found the number of inhabitants to a square mile to varyso much from district to district, from season to season, and to dependupon so great a variety of local circumstances, that I am unable to giveany computation which I believe would even nearly approach the truth; andas I feel no confidence in the results which I have obtained, after agreat deal of labour, I cannot be expected to attach much importance tothose which, to my own knowledge, have in several instances been arrivedat by others from mere guesswork. 

NATURAL PERIOD OF LIFE. 

With regard to the age occasionally attained by the natives I believevery erroneous ideas have been prevalent, for so far am I fromconsidering them to be short-lived that I am certain they frequentlyattain the age of seventy years and upwards. As they themselves have noknowledge whatever of their age it is manifest that merely speculativeideas upon this point must be useless; the means therefore that I adoptedto arrive at a probable conclusion may be illustrated by an example: Inthe table I have given of a family descending from two natives, Nardooitch, and Kimbeyenung (Appendix A) the name of Yenna will be foundas one of Wundall's children; now (1840) Yenna is a young man of abouttwenty years of age, and from the usual habits of the natives we mustallow that his father, Beewullo, was at least twenty-three years old bythe time he had married and had a child; such being the case, Beewullomust now be about forty-three, and Jeebar his father must by the samereasoning be about sixty-six, yet he is alive and in perfect health, andhis elder brother Nogongo is likewise alive, and as upright as possible, although the infirmities of old age are creeping on him. Nogongo must benow at least sixty-eight years old, yet I have seen two other nativeswho, by his and their own account, are older than he is; and on making acalculation, in the way I have just done, to ascertain their age, itappeared that one of them was sixty-nine and the other seventy-one; sothat, although probably none of these estimates are quite correct, Istill think that we are at liberty to infer, from various instances ofthis kind, that the natives sometimes attain a very advanced age; yetwere these instances of longevity contrasted with the great number ofdeaths which take place during the period of infancy, there can be nodoubt whatever that the average duration of life amongst these savagetribes falls far short of that enjoyed by civilized races. There ishowever one species of death unknown to these barbarians and that issuicide. I believe they have no idea that such a thing as a person'sputting an end to his own life could ever occur: whenever I haveinterrogated them on this point they have invariably laughed at me andtreated my question as a joke. 

CONDITION OF OLD AGE. 

The period of old age must be as happy as any other time in the life of asavage, 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 certainkinds of food which the young men may not touch; and they seldom appearto suffer much from the infirmities and diseases to which the aged aregenerally subject amongst us. 

CONDITION OF YOUNG WOMEN. 

Should a female be possessed of considerable personal attractions thefirst years of her life must necessarily be very unhappy. In her earlyinfancy she is betrothed to some man, even at this period advanced inyears, and by whom, as she approaches the age of puberty, she is watchedwith a degree of vigilance and care which increases in proportion to thedisparity of years between them; it is probably from this circumstancethat so many of them are addicted to intrigues, in which, if they aredetected by their husbands, death, or a spear through some portion of thebody is their certain fate; indeed the bare suspicion of infidelity upontheir part is enough to ensure to them the most cruel and brutaltreatment. For these causes during youth they are compelled, whetherpregnant or not, to accompany their husbands in all their excursions, andare thus subject to violent and continued exercise and fatigue at periodswhen repose is indispensable. 

But even supposing a woman to give no encouragement to her admirers, manyplots are always laid to carry her off, and in the encounters whichresult 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 ofher refusing throws a spear at her. The early life of a young woman atall celebrated for beauty is generally one continued series of captivityto different masters, of ghastly wounds, of wanderings in strangefamilies, of rapid flights, of bad treatment from other females amongstwhom she is brought a stranger by her captor; and rarely do you see aform of unusual grace and elegance but it is marked and scarred by thefurrows of old wounds; and many a female thus wanders several hundredmiles from the home of her infancy, being carried off successively todistant and more distant points. 

These various circumstances render miscarriages more frequent amongstthese uncivilized tribes than amongst European nations, and the firstyears and bloom of a female generally elapse before she has any children;but then a fresh cause exists to prevent their having very largefamilies, 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 canbe even partially weaned. The native women therefore suckle theirchildren until they are past the age of two or three years, and it is byno means uncommon to see a fine healthy child leave off playing and runup to its mother to take the breast. 

The native women suffer much less pain during the period of labour thanEuropeans; directly the child is born, it is wrapped in opossum skins, and strings made of the fur of this animal are tied like bracelets roundthe infant's wrists and ankles, with the intention of rendering it, bysome supernatural means, a stronger and a finer child. They are alwaysmuch prouder of a male than of a female child. 

AVERAGE NUMBERS AND PROPORTION OF BIRTHS. 

Forty-one females, of whose families I have obtained (from themselves andothers) lists upon the accuracy of which I can rely, had 188 children, orabout 4. 6 children each. The greatest number born by any one female was7, and only three had had so large a family as this; but with theexception of one woman they had all born more than one child. All thosewho were included in this list were past the age of child-bearing at thetime it was drawn up. 

To ascertain the proportion of male to female children I drew up anotherlist of 222 births, and out of these there were 93 females and 129 males, or about 1 female to every 1. 3 males. 

I have known four instances of native women having twins, but I havenever heard of a greater number of children at one birth. Should a childbe born with any natural deformity it is frequently killed by its parentssoon afterwards. In the only instances of this kind which have comewithin my own knowledge the child has been drowned. 

LUNATICS AND IDIOTS. 

Idiots are rarely found amongst the natives; in two cases I howeverobserved persons of very deficient intellect. Mad people are unknown, andthis very naturally, for very few freaks of madness could be committed bya lunatic ere he would fall a sacrifice to the violence and indignationof his fellows. Persons of very delicate and feeble constitutions arealso rare, as those who survive the hardships to which they are exposedin their childhood must possess an iron frame. The deaths amongst thechildren, particularly during early infancy, are as far as I can judgemuch more numerous in proportion to the number of births than they are incivilized nations. 

INFLUENCE OF POLYGAMY ON SOCIAL HABITS. 

The social habits of the natives of Australia are necessarily modified bythe extent to which polygamy is permitted and practised amongst them. Thevery unequal distribution of the female sex, which arises from thiscause, has rendered prevalent the custom of stealing wives; and as womenare of great value, not only on account of the personal attachment whichthey might be supposed to excite, but from the fact of all laborioustasks being performed, and a great portion of the food of the familybeing also collected by them, every precaution is taken to prevent themfrom forming any acquaintances which would be likely to terminate intheir abduction. 

A stern and vigilant jealousy is commonly felt by every married man; hecannot, from the roving nature of their mode of life, surround his wiveswith the walls of a seraglio, but custom and etiquette have drawn aboutthem barriers nearly as impassable. When a certain number of families arecollected together they encamp at a common spot; and each family has aseparate hut, or perhaps two. At these huts sleep the father of thefamily, his wives, the female children who have not yet joined theirhusbands, and very young boys; occasionally female relatives, who fromsome temporary cause have no male protector with them, also sleep at thisfire; but the young men and boys of ten years old and upwards are obligedto sleep in their own portion of the encampment, where they themselves, or more generally, some of their mothers, build for them two or threehuts, in which those related within certain degrees of consanguinitysleep together. 

SOCIAL CUSTOMS. 

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 marriedpeople; but if their wives are not with them, or if they are unmarried, they sleep at the fire of the young men. 

MODE OF CONVERSATIONAL INTERCOURSE. MODE OF RECITING EVENTS. 

Under no circumstances is a strange native allowed to approach the fireof a married man; in the daytime they hunt or occupy themselves with themen, and at night they either sit at their own fire, or that of the youngmen. Their huts being placed at a little distance from one another, suchan arrangement would appear to put an end to anything like socialintercourse or conversation; but they have invented a means of overcomingthis difficulty by making a species of chant, or recitative, theircustomary mode of address to each other. In an encampment at night theyoung men recount to one another their love adventures and stories; andthe old men quarrel with their wives or play with their children;suddenly a deep wild chant rises on the ear, in which some newly-arrivednative relates the incidents of his journey, or an old man calls to theirremembrance scenes of other days, or reminds them that some death remainsunavenged: this is done in a loud recitative, and the instant it iscommenced every other sound is hushed. A native, while thus chanting, israrely or never interrupted, and when he has concluded another replies inthe same tone until the conversation, still conducted in this manner, becomes general. 

CONSEQUENCES OF JEALOUSY. 

In the meantime individuals both male and female move about from fire tofire, paying visits, and whispering scandal to one another; but thesevisits are so arranged that none can approach a fire to which, by theestablished usages of society, they have not a right to go; the youngerfemales however, who are much addicted to intrigue, find at timesopportunity to exchange a word or a glance with some favoured lover, butwoe to her if her watchful husband should detect her in the act. A spearthrough the calf of the leg is the least punishment that awaits her; andif her husband feels himself strong enough, either from personal skill orfrom the number of friends he has present, to inflict punishment upon herparamour, he does it in the most summary manner, throwing as many spearsat his legs as he has an opportunity of doing before others catch hold ofhim and prevent his committing farther acts of violence. A good deal oftact is required under these circumstances to ascertain whether a spearcan safely be thrown at a man or not; but I have remarked as a generalrule that a native, if irritated by another, invariably throws a spear athim if he has a friend or brother near the offender at the time; thechances then being that this friend or brother will catch hold of the manattacked before he can throw a spear in return. As for the poor female noone takes her part whether she is innocent or guilty; the established andvery 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 oneaggressor himself and get the other speared for him without undergoingany personal trouble or inconvenience, or without in the least sufferingin her good graces. 

DANCES. 

Should it be the intention of the natives to have a dance thearrangements are somewhat different. In this case the young men retireearly in the afternoon to some spot suited to their purpose, where theypaint and deck themselves out in the most grotesque manner. After darkthey return to the encampment near which the dance takes place. At theseentertainments the same rules of etiquette are strictly observed: thefemales sit in a group apart, generally behind the old men; theperformers are on the side of the fire opposite to them; in one or twodances the women take a part in the song, but they never dancethemselves, nor are the young men allowed to approach them. It is allfair for the dancers to do their utmost, by the arrangement of paint andornaments, to show off their personal attractions, and they sometimesavail themselves of this privilege in the most ludicrous manner; but theyare permitted to hold no converse whatever with any but their mothers andsisters. 

CEREMONIES ON MEETING. CUSTOMS IN MEETING AFTER ABSENCE. 

The ceremonies they observe at first meeting one another after absenceare remarkable. When a native and his wives enter an encampment offriends whom they have not for some time seen, they proceed straight tothe hut of some relative or intimate friend without bestowing even aglance upon any others whom they may pass: having reached the hut the manat once seats himself at the fire without taking the least notice ofanyone in it, whilst his wives crouch upon the earth at a respectfuldistance behind him, keeping their eyes fixed upon the ground; solemnsilence now ensues, all countenances wear an unspeakable gloom andgravity and all eyes are directed to the earth; in about ten minutes thenearest blood relation of any individual who has died since the strangerhas visited his friends advances to him with a measured pace, and withoutspeaking seats himself cross-legged on his thighs, under which he placeshis hands, at the same time pressing his breast to the stranger's; thusseated they mournfully avert their faces from one another and preserve aperfect silence; no single word or sign of recognition passes betweenthem, and after they have remained thus seated for several minutes thenative who had come to announce the death rises slowly and retires withthe same gravity with which he had approached; other males of the familynow successively approach the stranger, going through precisely the sameceremonies, none of them venturing to interchange a single word with him. 

This part of the ceremony having been completed, the nearest femalerelative of the deceased approaches the stranger and, throwing herselfupon her knees before him, she embraces his knees with her left armwhilst with the nails of her right hand she scratches her cheek and noseuntil the blood drops from them, at the same time raising the mostpiteous cries and lamentations. After a few minutes she rises andapproaches his wife and seats herself on the ground in front of her; thetwo now encircle one another with their left arms, resting their heads oneach other's shoulders, whilst they scratch their faces with their righthands and cry and wail in a tone which excites in the minds of all whohear them sensations of deep grief; indeed I know of no sound (not evenexcepting the Irish howl) which so fully expresses the passion of deepsorrow as this lament of the native women. When their cry is completedthe resident native woman rises from the ground and slowly walks from thewife of the one who has returned to the camp; the other female relativesof the deceased then advance in turn, and go through the same form. 

The returned absentee is now at liberty to speak, and some of the partyin recitative recount to him all the leading facts that have occurredsince their last meeting; they are however very careful not to mentionthe name of the person who is dead, but describe him by his attributesand family in such a manner as to leave no doubt in the mind of thehearer; but to name aloud one who is departed would be a gross violationof their most sacred prejudices, and they carefully abstain from it. 

CEREMONIES ON MEETING IN THE BUSH. 

If natives meet in the bush the foregoing ceremonies are in partobserved: both parties at their first meeting sit down at a distance fromone another, preserving a profound silence and keeping their eyes fixedon the ground; after a time one of them commences a chant about himselfand 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 inmelancholy 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 eldermarried females, if they like a stranger, embrace him affectionately andgive him a loud-sounding kiss upon each cheek; on several occasions Ihave had to submit myself, with as good a grace as I could, to thissalutation. 

In these casual meetings of natives it occasionally happens that severalwomen 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 childrenslung at their backs, and these little things may be seen unconsciouslyplaying with their mothers' hair whilst this mournful scene is enacting. 

PUNCTILIOS OF FORM. 

Some old women are scrupulously punctilious about the performance of allthese matters of etiquette, attaching a degree of importance to themwhich, in the eyes of civilized man, approaches the ludicrous; but theylook upon them in a very different light. I have seen a number of thesesticklers for form kneeling round a little boy not more than six or sevenyears old, lamenting most bitterly, the little fellow meanwhilepreserving in his countenance and bearing all the gravity and dignitywhich a man could have exhibited. 

CHAPTER 14. FOOD AND HUNTING. 

ERRORS REGARDING SCARCITY OF FOOD OF NATIVES. 

The mistake very commonly made with regard to the natives of Australia isto imagine that they have small means of subsistence, or are at timesgreatly pressed for want of food: I could produce many almost humorousinstances of the errors which travellers have fallen into upon thispoint. They lament in their journals that the unfortunate Aboriginesshould be reduced by famine to the miserable necessity of subsisting oncertain sorts of food which they have found near their huts; whereas inmany instances the articles thus quoted by them are those which thenatives most prize, and are really neither deficient in flavour nornutritious qualities. I will give one remarkable example of an error ofthis kind into which a traveller of great ability has fallen; but thiswill only render palpable the ignorance that has prevailed with regard tothe habits and customs of this people when in their wild state, for thosewho frequent European towns and the outskirts of population are sooncompelled by the force of circumstances to depart, in a great measure, from their original habits. 

Captain Sturt, to whom I allude, says in his travels (volume 1 page 118):

Among other things we found a number of bark troughs filled with the gumof the mimosa, and vast quantities of gum made into cakes upon theground. From this it would appear that these unfortunate creatures werereduced to the last extremity, and, being unable to procure any othernourishment, had been obliged to collect this mucilaginous food. 

. .. 

The gum of the mimosa, thus referred to, is a favourite article of foodamongst the natives, and when it is in season they assemble in largenumbers upon plains of the character previously described by CaptainSturt in order to enjoy this luxury. The profusion in which this gum isfound enables large bodies to meet together, which, from theirsubsistence being derived from wild animals and vegetables of spontaneousgrowth, 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 littlethe habits of this people have been understood I may state with regard tothis very gum, called by the natives kwon-nat, that about the time theabove account was published by Captain Sturt an expedition was sent outfrom King George's Sound in Western Australia in order to discover whatwas the nature of the article of food so loudly praised by them, andwhich they stated was to be found in certain districts in greatprofusion; 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 exploringparty did not attain their object, and to this day many of the settlersbelieve the kwon-nat to be a kind of corn. 

FOOD PLENTIFUL. VARIETIES OF IT IN DIFFERENT LATITUDES. 

Generally speaking the natives live well; in some districts there may atparticular seasons of the year be a deficiency of food, but if such isthe case these tracts are at those times deserted. It is however utterlyimpossible for a traveller or even for a strange native to judge whethera district affords an abundance of food or the contrary; for intraversing extensive parts of Australia I have found the sorts of foodvary from latitude to latitude, so that the vegetable productions used bythe Aborigines in one are totally different to those in another; iftherefore a stranger has no one to point out to him the vegetableproductions, the soil beneath his feet may teem with food whilst hestarves. The same rule holds good with regard to animal productions; forexample in the southern parts of the continent the Xanthorrhoea affordsan inexhaustible supply of fragrant grubs, which an epicure would delightin when once he has so far conquered his prejudices as to taste them;whilst in proceeding to the northward these trees decline in health andgrowth, until about the parallel of Gantheaume Bay they totallydisappear, and even a native finds himself cut off from his ordinarysupplies of insects; the same circumstances taking place with regard tothe roots and other kinds of food at the same time, the travellernecessarily finds himself reduced to cruel extremities. A native from theplains, taken into an elevated mountainous district near his own countryfor the first time, is equally at fault. 

VARIED WITH THE SEASONS. 

But in his own district a native is very differently situated; he knowsexactly what it produces, the proper time at which the several articlesare in season, and the readiest means of procuring them. According tothese circumstances he regulates his visits to the different portions ofhis hunting ground; and I can only state that I have always found thegreatest abundance in their huts. 

CAUSES OF OCCASIONAL WANT. 

There are however two periods of the year when they are at timessubjected to the pangs of hunger: these are in the hottest time of summerand in the height of the rainy season. At the former period the heatrenders them so excessively indolent that until forced by want they willnot move, and at the latter they suffer so severely from the cold andrain that I have known them remain for two successive days at their hutswithout quitting the fire; and even when they do quit it they alwayscarry a fire-stick with them, which greatly embarrasses their movements. In all ordinary seasons however they can obtain in two or three hours asufficient supply of food for the day, but their usual custom is to roamindolently from spot to spot, lazily collecting it as they wander along. 

LIST OF EDIBLE ARTICLES. 

That an accurate idea may be formed of the quantity and kinds of foodwhich they obtain, I have given below a list of those in use amongst theaborigines of South-western Australia which I have seen them collect andeat; and I will, in the order in which they stand on this list, show themode of obtaining them, and the way in which they are cooked. 

Different articles of food eaten by the natives of Western Australia:

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. 

It will be necessary however before commencing this sketch to give anoutline of the weapons and implements with which the different animalsare caught and killed, and the vegetable productions procured. 

EQUIPMENT FOR A HUNT. IMPLEMENTS FOR DESTROYING ANIMALS. 

The natives nearly always carry the whole of their worldly property aboutwith them, and the Australian hunter is thus equipped: round his middleis wound, in many folds, a cord spun from the fur of the opossum, whichforms a warm, soft and elastic belt of an inch in thickness, in which arestuck his hatchet, his kiley or boomerang, and a short heavy stick tothrow at the smaller animals. His hatchet is so ingeniously placed thatthe head of it rests exactly on the centre of his back, whilst its thinshort handle descends along the backbone. In his hand he carries histhrowing-stick and several spears, headed in two or three differentmanners so that they are equally adapted to war or the chase. A warmkangaroo skin cloak completes his equipment in the southern portions ofthe continent; but I have never seen a native with a cloak anywhere tothe north of 29 degrees south latitude. 

DESCRIPTION AND USE OF THE WEAPONS. 

These weapons, although apparently so simple, are admirably adapted forthe purposes they are intended to serve. The spear when projected fromthe 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 itpossesses over the bow and arrow the advantage of being useful to pokeout kangaroo-rats and opossums from hollow trees, to knock off gum fromhigh branches, to pull down the cones from the Banksia trees, and formany other purposes. 

The hatchet is used to cut up the larger kinds of game and to make holesin the trees the owner is about to climb. The kiley is thrown intoflights of wild-fowl and cockatoos, and with the dow-uk, a short heavystick, they knock over the smaller kinds of game much in the same mannerthat poachers do hares and rabbits in England. 

CONTENTS OF THE WOMEN'S BAG OR WALLET. 

Thus equipped the father of the family stalks forth, and at a respectfuldistance behind him follow the women; a long thick stick, the point ofwhich has been hardened in the fire, is in each of their hands, a childor two fixed in their bags or upon their shoulders, and in the deeprecesses of these mysterious bags they carry moreover sundry articleswhich constitute the wealth of the Australian savage. These are howeverworthy of a particular enumeration, as this will make plain the domesticeconomy of one of these barbarian housewives. 

The contents of a native woman's bag are: A flat stone to pound rootswith; earth to mix with the pounded roots; quartz, for the purpose ofmaking spears and knives; stones for hatchets; prepared cakes of gum, tomake and mend weapons and implements; kangaroo sinews to make spears andto sew with; needles made of the shin-bones of kangaroos, with which theysew their cloaks, bags, etc. ; opossum hair to be spun into waist belts;shavings of kangaroo skins to polish spears, etc. ; the shell of a speciesof mussel to cut hair, etc. , with; native knives; a native hatchet;pipe-clay; red ochre, or burnt clay; yellow ochre, a piece of paperbarkto carry water in; waistbands and spare ornaments; pieces of quartz whichthe native doctors have extracted from their patients, and thus curedthem from diseases; these they preserve as carefully as Europeans dorelics. Banksia cones (small ones) or pieces of a dry white species offungus 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 whichthese are to be manufactured; the roots, etc. , which they have collectedduring the day. Skins not yet prepared for cloaks are generally carriedbetween the bag and the back, so as to form a sort of cushion for the bagto rest on. 

In general each woman carries a lighted fire-stick, or brand, under hercloak and in her hand. 

DIFFERENT METHODS OF CATCHING KANGAROOS. 

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 modeof procuring and cooking their different varieties of food. 

MANNER OF HUNTING A KANGAROO SINGLY. 

The moment an Australian savage commences his day's hunting his wholemanner and appearance undergo a wondrous change: his eyes, before heavyand listless, brighten up, and are never for a moment fixed on oneobject; his gait and movements, which were indolent and slow, becomequick and restless yet noiseless; he moves along with a rapid stealthypace, his glance roving from side to side in a vigilant uneasy manner, arising from his eagerness to detect signs of game and his fears ofhidden foes. The earth, the water, the trees, the skies, each are in turnsubjected to a rigid scrutiny, and from the most insignificantcircumstances he deduces omens. His head is held erect and his progressis uncertain, in a moment his pace is checked, he stands in precisely theposition of motion as if suddenly transfixed, nothing about him stirs buthis eyes, they glance uneasily from side to side whilst the head andevery muscle seem immoveable; but the white eyeballs may be seen in rapidmotion, whilst all his faculties are concentrated, and his whole soul isabsorbed in the senses of sight and hearing. His wives, who are at somedistance behind him, the moment they see him assume this attitude fall tothe ground as if they had been shot; their children cower by them, andtheir little faces express an earnestness and anxiousness which is farbeyond their years; at length a suppressed whistle is given by one of thewomen, which denotes that she sees a kangaroo near her husband. All isagain silence and quietude; and an unpractised European would ride withina few yards of the group and not perceive a living thing. 

Looking about a hundred yards to the right of the native, you will see akangaroo erect upon its hind legs and supported by its tail; it is rearedto its utmost height, so that its head is between five and six feet abovethe 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 headpeering out from its pouch to enquire what has alarmed its mother; butthe native moves not, you cannot tell whether it is a human being or thecharred trunk of a burnt tree which is before you, and for severalminutes the whole group preserve their relative position; at length thekangaroo becomes reassured, drops upon its fore-paws, gives an awkwardleap or two, and goes on feeding, the little inhabitant of its pouchstretching its head farther out, tasting the grass its mother is eating, and evidently debating whether or not it is safe to venture out of itsresting place and gamble about amongst the green dewy herbage. 

Meantime the native moves not until the kangaroo, having two or threetimes resumed the attitude of listening, and having like a monkeyscratched its side with its fore-paw, at length once more abandons itselfin perfect security to its feed, and playfully smells and rubs its littleone. Now the watchful savage, keeping his body unmoved, fixes the spearfirst in the throwing-stick, and then raises his arms in the attitude ofthrowing, from which they are never again moved until the kangaroo diesor runs away; his spear being properly secured, he advances slowly andstealthily towards his prey, no part moving but his legs; whenever thekangaroo looks round he stands motionless in the position he is in whenit 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, andthis scene is repeated many times until the whistling spear penetratesthe devoted animal; then the wood rings with shouts; women and childrenall join pell-mell in the chase; the kangaroo, weak from the loss ofblood, and embarrassed by the long spear which catches in the brushwoodas it flies, at length turns on its pursuers, and to secure its rearplaces its back against a tree, preparing at the same time to rend openthe breast and entrails of its pursuer by seizing him in its fore-pawsand kicking with its hind legs and claws; but the wily native keeps clearof so murderous an embrace, and from the distance of a few yards throwsspears into its breast until the exhausted animal falls and is then soondespatched; when, with the assistance of his wives, he takes its forelegsover his left, and the hind legs over his right shoulder, and totterswith his burden to some convenient resting place, where they can enjoytheir meal. 

HUNTING IN PARTIES IN THE BUSH. 

The chase of the kangaroo conducted by a number of natives is a much morelively 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 ofwhich a savage is capable called forth, and his graceful movements, cautious advance, the air of quietude and repose which pervade his framewhen his prey is alarmed, all involuntarily call forth your admirationand compel you to murmur to yourself, "how beautiful, how verybeautiful. " But where a party hunt there is more bustle and animation inthe scene; and this kind of hunting is called "Yowart-a-kaipoon, " orkangaroo-surrounding. The animals which are to be killed by a party whoproceed 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 anopen plain; in the former case they are tracked to their retreat, and theparty 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 theblockade is completed they fire the bushes; the frighted animals now flyfrom the flames in the direction of the open plains, but no sooner dothey reach the outskirts of the wood than the bushes are fired in thedirection in which they are running, and they are driven back by loudcalls and terrific cries, which augment their terror, and they run wildlyabout; until, becoming maddened by fear, they make a rush through themidst of their enemies, who allow but few of their victims to escape. 

IN THE PLAINS. 

When kangaroos are surrounded upon a plain the point generally chosen isan open bottom surrounded by wood; each native has his position assignedhim by some of the elder ones, and a great deal of art and caution aresometimes required to gain it; for this end they avail themselves ofevery inequality of the ground, of every bush, of every shrub, and asthere are so many witnesses of their skill and cunning they put forth alltheir art to approach as near the kangaroos as possible withoutdisturbing them, and thus the circle narrows in around the unconsciousanimals, 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 savagewith fearful yells; terrified it sits down with its frightened comradesto look for a means of escape, but armed natives brandishing their spearsand raising loud cries come running in upon them from every side; and erethe animals have recovered the first moments of terror and surprise aslaughter has already commenced, which seldom terminates before thegreater number of them have fallen. 

These great public hunts or battues are conducted under certain rules. The proprietor of the land must have invited the other natives, and mustbe present himself, for should these regulations be violated a verybloody fight is certain to take place. The first spear which strikes akangaroo determines whose property the dead animal is to be; it being nomatter how slight the wound may have been; even if a boy threw the spearthe rule holds good, and if the animal killed is one which by their lawsa boy is not allowed to eat, then his right passes on to his father oreldest male relation. The cries of the hunters, as they ring through theancient woods, are very expressive and beautiful, each differentintonation belonging to a particular period of the hunt. And what rendersthem peculiarly effective is that, instead of beginning as we always dowith a soft aspiration, as in Hollo, Ho, etc. , their cries alwayscommence with a harsh sound, as kau; and this circumstance enables themto talk at a great distance so as to be perfectly intelligible to oneanother. Sometimes in deep wooded valleys I have heard gentle fairy-likesounds coming down from the heights, and rendered so soft and sweet bydistance that one might readily have fancied them to be supernatural, yetthe natives with me readily understood them, and shouted back theirreply: this harsh commencement of their shout gives one also a terriblestart when surprised in a murderous attack. 

HUNTING KANGAROO BY THE TRACKS. 

Four other modes of taking kangaroos are practised by the natives: theseare, catching them in nets, in pitfalls, lying in wait near theirwatering places until they come to drink, and constantly following theirtracks until the animals are so wearied out that they will allow thehuntsman to approach near enough to spear them. Of these four modes thelast two are the most interesting, and the former is thus practised: in adry district, where numerous animals congregate from a great distance todrink at a solitary water, the huntsman constructs a rude shelter inwhich for hours he remains concealed and motionless until the thirstyanimals approach; kangaroos, cockatoos, pigeons, and all other beingsthat run and fly are in this case indiscriminately sacrificed, and thepatient endurance of the hunter is generally richly rewarded by the bootyhe obtains. 

But the mode of tracking a kangaroo until it is wearied out is the onewhich beyond all others excites the admiration of the natives; this callsout every qualification prized by savages: skill in tracking, enduranceof hunger and thirst, unwearied bodily exertion, and lastingperseverance. To perform this feat a native starts upon the tracks of akangaroo, which he follows until he sights it, when it flies timidlybefore him; again he pursues the track, and again the animal bounds fromhim; and this is repeated until nightfall, when the native lights hisfire and sleeps upon the track; with the first light of day the hunt isresumed, and towards the close of the second day, or in the course of thethird, the kangaroo falls a victim to its pursuer. None but a skilfulhuntsman in the pride of youth and strength can perform this feat, andone who has frequently practised it always enjoys great renown amongsthis fellows. 

COOKING A KANGAROO. 

Before they commence cooking the kangaroo an incision is made round thebase of the tail to the bone, and another incision skin deep round thetip. The skin is then pulled away from the other part with all the sinewsof the tail attached to it, and these are drawn carefully out and at oncerolled round the dowuk, so as to keep them stretched: their future use iseither to sew cloaks and bags, or to make spears. 

Two modes of cooking the kangaroo are common; the first is to make anoven by digging a hole in the sand, in which a fire is lighted; when thesand is well heated and a large heap of ashes is collected the hole isscraped out and the kangaroo is placed in it, skin and all; it is thencovered over with ashes, and a slow fire is kept up above it; whensufficiently baked it is taken out and laid upon its back; the firstincision is made directly down from between the forearms to the bottom ofthe abdomen, the intestines are then removed, and the whole of the juiceor gravy is left in the body of the animal. This is carefully taken outand the body is then cut up and eaten. 

The other mode is simply to kill the kangaroo and then to broil thedifferent portions of it on the fire: certain parts are considered greatdelicacies, and these the young men are forbidden to eat; such are theblood, the entrails, and the marrow. The blood is always carefullycollected in one of the intestines so as to form a long sausage and isafterwards eaten by the most influential man present. 

METHODS OF TAKING AND COOKING FISH. 

It will be seen from the foregoing list that the smaller sorts of fisheaten by the natives are very numerous: there are however several kindswhich from superstitious prejudices they will not touch; amongst theseare the Bamba, or stingray. I should here observe that these prejudicesare local, and I have seen them reject at one portion of the continentarticles of food which at a distant part they will eat readily. 

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 ofnatives spearing fish in one of their large shallow estuaries is anextremely picturesque sight; they follow all the tortuous windings of thefish they are pursuing, as it darts about in the water, with greatrapidity; and, the object of their pursuit being concealed from a distantspectator, they appear to be running about in the sea and dashing up thefoam for no conceivable cause or reason. Notwithstanding the speed theyare running with and the smallness of the object, in striking they rarelymiss their aim. In deep rivers or in the sea the mode of spearing fishvaries according to the circumstances of the case; sometimes it is doneby diving, sometimes by sitting on a rock or tree and watching them asthey pass underneath; but in all cases astonishment is excited to see thecelerity and accuracy with which the eye and hand act in the nicestunison. 

Weirs are only constructed across places which are left nearly dry atlow-water, or when the floods subside; and the way in which fish aretaken in the net offers nothing remarkable. 

METHODS OF COOKING FISH. 

If the fish are not cooked by being merely thrown on the fire and broiledthey dress them in a manner worthy of being adopted by the most civilizednations; this is called "Yudarn dookoon, " or "tying-up cooking. " A pieceof 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 isfolded round a cutlet; strings formed of grass are then wound tightlyabout the bark and fish, which is then slowly baked in heated sandcovered with hot ashes; when it is completed the bark is opened andserves as a dish: it is of course full of juice and gravy, not a drop ofwhich has escaped. Several of the smaller sorts of freshwater fish, insize and taste resembling white-bait, are really delicious when cooked inthis manner; they occasionally also dress pieces of kangaroo and othermeats in the same way. 

FEASTING ON A STRANDED WHALE. 

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 thedeep, he can only be compared to a mouse standing before a hugeplum-cake; in either case the mass of the food compared to that of theconsumer is enormous. It is impossible for civilized man to enter intothe feelings of the savage under these circumstances, for he has neverbeen similarly situated. He never has had such a quantity of food that hedoats on placed at once before him; hence when a native proprietor of anestate in Australia finds a whale thrown ashore upon his property hiswhole feelings undergo a sudden revulsion. Instead of being churlishlyafraid of the slightest aggression on his property his heart expands withbenevolence, and he longs to see his friends about him; so he falls towork with his wives and kindles large fires to give notice of the joyfulevent. 

This duty being performed, he rubs himself all over with the blubber, then anoints his favourite wives, and thus prepared cuts his way throughthe blubber into the flesh or beef, the grain of which is about as firmas a goose-quill, of this he selects the nicest morsels, and eitherbroils them on the fire or cooks them as kabobs by cutting them intosmall pieces and spitting them on a pointed stick. 

By and bye other natives come gaily trooping in from all quarters: bynight they dance and sing, and by day they eat and sleep, and for daysthis revelry continues unchecked, until they at last fairly eat their wayinto the whale, and you see them climbing in and about the stinkingcarcase, choosing tit-bits. In general the natives are very particularabout not eating meat that is fly-blown or tainted, but when a whale isin question this nicety of appetite vanishes. I attribute this to theirdisliking in the first instance to leave the carcase, and then graduallygetting accustomed to its smell; but whatever may be the reason theyremain by the carcase for many days, rubbed from head to foot withstinking blubber, gorged to repletion with putrid meat, out of temperfrom indigestion, and therefore engaged in constant frays, suffering froma cutaneous disorder by high feeding, and altogether a disgustingspectacle. There is no sight in the world more revolting than to see ayoung and gracefully formed native girl stepping out of the carcase of aputrid whale. When they at last quit their feast they carry off as muchas they can stagger under, to eat upon the way, and to take as a rarityto their distant friends. 

MODE OF KILLING SEALS AND WILD DOGS. 

Killing seals is, from the habits of these animals, necessarily anexciting species of hunting in the southern and western portions of thecontinent. It is only enjoyed by the natives when they can surprise aseal upon the beach or in the surf, or when they swim off to some of thesmall rocky islands which are connected with the main by reefs, and areat no great distance from it; they are themselves fond of this sport, andthe clambering about the wild rocks of their native shore, at one timeleaping from rock to rock, spearing fish that lie in the quiet pools, inthe 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 exhilaratingoccupation; and when to this we add that their steps are followed by awife and children, as dear to them as ours are to us, who are witnessesof their agility and prowess, and who, when the game is killed, will helpto light the fire in which it is to be cooked, and drag it to theresting-place, where the father romps with the little ones until the mealis prepared, and that all this takes place in a climate so mild andgenial that a house is not necessary, we shall perhaps the less wonderthat it should be so difficult to induce a savage to embrace the customsof civilized life. 

There is nothing peculiar in their mode of killing wild dogs; puppies areof course the greatest delicacy, and are often feasted on; they sometimeshowever save these in order to keep them in a domesticated state, and inthis case one of the elder females of the family suckles them at her ownbreast and soon grows almost as fond of them as of children. A dog isbaked whole in the same manner as a kangaroo; it is laid on its back inthe hole in the heated sand, and its nose, fore-paws and hind-paws areleft sticking out of the ashes which are scraped over it, so that itbears rather a ludicrous appearance. 

MODE OF KILLING TURTLE AND COCKATOOS. 

The green turtle are surprised by the natives on the beach when they cometo lay their eggs, and are very rarely taken much to the south of SharkBay, but freshwater turtle are extremely abundant, and are in high seasonabout December and January. At this time the natives assemble near thefreshwater lakes and lagoons in large numbers; these natural reservoirsare then shrunk to their lowest limits from evaporation and other causes, and are thickly overgrown with reeds and rushes. Among these the nativeswade with stealthy pace, so stealthy that they even creep upon wild-fowland spear them. The habits of the turtle are to swim lazily along nearthe surface of the water, about half immersed, biting and smelling at thevarious aquatic plants which they pass, and turning their long ungainlynecks in all directions. When alarmed by the approach of a native theturtle instantly sinks to the bottom like a stone, and its pursuer, putting out his foot, the toes of which he uses to seize anything, justas we do our fingers, gropes about with it in the weeds, until he feelsthe turtle, and then, holding it to the ground, plunges his hands andarms in and seizes his prey. I have known two or three of them to catchfourteen turtle, none of which weighed less than one, and many of them asmuch as two or three pounds, in the course of a very short time. 

These freshwater turtle are cooked by being baked, shell and all, in thehot ashes; when they are done a single pull removes the bottom shell, andthe whole animal remains in the upper one, which serves as a dish. Theyare generally very fat, and are really delicate and delicious eating; thenatives are extremely fond of them, and the turtle season is lookedforward to by them as a very important period of the year. 

BIRDS. 

Birds form a very considerable article of food for the natives, and theirmodes of killing them are so various that it would be impossible toenumerate them all. Emus are killed in precisely the same manner askangaroos, but as they are more prized by the natives a greater degree ofexcitement prevails when an emu is slain; shout succeeds shout, and thedistant natives take up the cry until it is sometimes re-echoed formiles: yet the feast which follows the death is a very exclusive one; theflesh is by far too delicious to be made a common article of food, henceheavy penalties are pronounced against young men and unauthorized personswho venture to touch it, and these are invariably rigidly enforced. 

KILLING COCKATOOS. 

Perhaps as fine a sight as can be seen in the whole circle of nativesports is the killing cockatoos with the kiley, or boomerang. A nativeperceives a large flight of cockatoos in a forest which encircles alagoon; 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, screamingand flying from tree to tree, as they make their arrangements for anight's sound sleep. The native throws aside his cloak so that he may noteven have this slight covering to impede his motions, draws his kileyfrom his belt, and with a noiseless, elastic step approaches the lagoon, creeping from tree to tree, from bush to bush, and disturbing the birdsas little as possible; their sentinels however take the alarm, thecockatoos farthest from the water fly to the trees near its edge, andthus they keep concentrating their forces as the native advances; theyare aware that danger is at hand but are ignorant of its nature. Atlength the pursuer almost reaches the edge of the water, and the scaredcockatoos, with wild cries, spring into the air; at the same instant thenative raises his right hand high over his shoulder, and, boundingforward with his utmost speed for a few paces to give impetus to hisblow, the kiley quits his hand as if it would strike the water, but whenit has almost touched the unruffled surface of the lake it spins upwardswith inconceivable velocity, and with the strangest contortions. In vainthe terrified cockatoos strive to avoid it; it sweeps wildly anduncertainly through the air, and so eccentric are its motions that itrequires but a slight stretch of the imagination to fancy it endowed withlife, and with fell swoops is in rapid pursuit of the devoted birds, someof whom are almost certain to be brought screaming to the earth. 

But the wily savage has not yet done with them. He avails himself of theextraordinary attachment which these birds have for one another, and, fastening a wounded one to a tree, so that its cries may induce itscompanions to return, he watches his opportunity by throwing his kiley orspear to add another bird or two to the booty he has already obtained. 

MODE OF KILLING WILD-FOWL. 

The various kinds of wild-fowl with which the rivers and lagoons ofAustralia abound afford a never-failing supply of food to the natives, and many are the arts to which they have recourse to entrap these warybirds. During the period of the moulting season they catch many blackswans. Some of the young men lie for hours in ambush on the banks untilthe unconscious swans have ventured so far into shallow water that theycan run round them and cut off their retreat. When this auspicious momentarrives, with loud shouts the men dash in, and whilst one partyintercepts the birds, so that they cannot get into the deeps, a secondsoon runs them down. In the same manner they take the young cygnets; andthese I believe to be as good eating and as delicate an article of foodas any country can produce. 

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 eitherspear 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 smallopen spaces of water, but generally it is so thickly overgrown with highreeds that it looks rather like a swampy wood than a lake; in thedistance you see curling up a thin cloud of blue smoke, which indicatesthat a native encampment is at hand. The forms of many wild-fowl are seenswimming about among the reeds, for a moment caught sight of, and in thenext lost in the dusky green of the vegetation. Every now and then asmall party of them rise up, and after winging their way two or threetimes 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, theyagain settle down in another part of it. 

This circumstance and a few other signs induce a sportsman to suspectthat 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 andthus affords its occupant a view of all that is passing in the lakebelow, he sees extended the form of an aged native, his white locksfluttering in the breeze; he is too old to take a part in the sport thatis going on, but watches every movement with the most intense interest, and by well-known signs directs the movements of the hunters, who may nowbe seen creeping noiselessly through the water, and at times they appearso black and still that even a practised huntsman doubts for a momentwhether it is a man or the stump of a tree which he looks on. The nativesare sometimes very successful in this kind of hunting: I have known asingle man spear or noose ten wild-fowl, of different sorts, in an hourand a half or two hours' time. 

One very dexterous feat which the natives perform is to kill a bird as itflies from the nest. This is executed by two men, one of whom, placinghimself under the nest, throws a spear through its centre, so as to hitthe bird in the breast, which, frightened and slightly wounded, fliesout, and is then struck to the ground by the dow-uk, which the othernative hurls at it as it quits the tree. They are such good shots withthese short, heavy sticks that pigeons, quails, and even the smallestbirds, are usually knocked over with them; and I have often seen themkill a pigeon with a spear, at the distance of about thirty paces. 

MODES OF COOKING BIRDS. 

Birds are generally cooked by plucking them and throwing them on thefire, 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 itand cook the entrails separately; a triangle is then formed round thebird 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 thusrapidly cooked and left full of gravy. Wild-fowl dressed in this way on aclean piece of bark form as good a dish as I have ever eaten. 

OPOSSUM HUNTING. 

Opossum hunting is pursued either by day or during a moonlight night. Astranger cannot but be favourably impressed with regard to the quicknessof a native in discovering whether or not an opossum has ascended a tree. The savage carelessly walks up to some massive trunk which he thinksbears a suspicious appearance, his hands are placed thoughtlessly behindhis back, whilst his dark eye glances over the bark; suddenly it is forone moment stationary, and he looks eagerly at the tree, for he hasdetected the holes made by the nails of an opossum in its ascent; he nowseeks for one of these foot-marks, which has a little sand attached toit, and gently blows the sand, but it sticks together, and does noteasily move away, this is a proof that the animal has climbed the treethe same morning, for otherwise the sand would have been dried up by theheat of the sun, and, not being held together by dampness, would havebeen readily swept away before his breath. Having by this examination ofsigns, which an unskilled European in vain strains his eyes to detect, convinced himself that the opossum is in some hole of the tree, thenative pulls his hatchet from his girdle and, cutting a small notch inthe bark about four feet from the ground, he places the great toe of hisright foot in it, throws his right arm round the tree, and with his lefthand sticks the point handle of the hatchet into the bark as high up ashe can reach, and thus forms a stay to drag himself up with; having madegood this step he cuts another for his left foot, and thus proceeds untilhe has ascended to the hole where the opossum is hid, which is thencompelled 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 groundand quietly descends after it. As the opossum gives a very severe andpainful bite the natives are careful to lay hold of it in such a manneras to run the least possible danger of being seized by its teeth. 

Opossum hunting by moonlight, excepting in the beauty of the spectacle, offers no feature different from what I have above described; the duskyforms of the natives moving about in the gloomy woods and gazing up intothe trees to detect an animal feeding, whilst in the distance nativeswith firesticks come creeping after them, is a picturesque sight, and itis also pretty to see the dark body of the native against the moonlightas he climbs the tree, forcing the poor opossum to retreat to the veryend of some branch, whence he is shaken off or knocked down with a stick. The natives themselves like these moonlight expeditions and speak withenthusiasm of them. They are particularly fond of spearing fish atcertain seasons of the year, in which case they go along the shoal waterwith a light, and proceed exactly in the manner still practised inScotland and Ireland. 

CATCHING FROGS. METHOD OF TAKING SHELLFISH. 

The season of the year in which the natives catch the greatest quantityof frogs and freshwater shellfish is when the swamps are nearly dried up;these animals then bury themselves in holes in the mud, and the nativewomen with their long sticks and long thin arms, which they plunge up tothe shoulder in the slime, manage to drag them out; at all seasonshowever they catch some of these animals, but in summer a whole troop ofnative women may be seen paddling about in a swamp, slapping themselvesto kill the mosquitoes and sandflies, and every now and then plungingtheir arms down into the mud, and dragging forth their prey. I have oftenseen them with ten or twelve pounds weight of frogs in their bag. 

Frogs are cooked on a slow fire of wood ashes. They are then held in onehand by the hind legs, and a dexterous pinch with the finger and thumb ofthe other at once removes the lower portion of the intestines. Theremainder of the animal is then taken at a mouthful and fairly eaten fromthe head to the toes. 

The freshwater shellfish vary in size from that of a prawn to a largecrayfish; the smallest are the best, and when nicely roasted there is nodifference in taste between them and a shrimp. It is worthy of remarkthat the natives in the south-western part of Australia will not touchfreshwater mussels, which are very abundant in the rivers, whilst in thenorth-western part of the continent they form a staple article of food. 

GRUBS AND WALLABIES. 

Grubs are principally procured by the natives from the Xanthorrhoea orgrass-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 tastevery like a nice nut. Their presence in a tree is thus ascertained: ifthe top of the tree is observed to be dead the native gives it a fewsharp kicks with his foot, when, if it contains any barde or grubs, itbegins 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. 

Until the top of the tree is dead it is not a proper receptacle for theseanimals. The natives are therefore in the habit of breaking off the topsof the grass-trees on their land at a particular season of the year inorder that they may have an abundance of this highly-prized article offood. If two or more men have a right to hunt over the same portion ofground, and one of them breaks off the tops of certain trees, by theirlaws the grubs in these are his property and no one else has a right totouch the tree. No mistake on this point can occur, for if the top of thetree dies naturally it still remains in its original position, whereas anative who thus prepares the tree knocks it off altogether; an instanceoccurred at King George's Sound of a native travelling between thirty andforty miles to lay a complaint before the Resident that another had beenguilty of this unpardonable breach of honesty, and, notwithstanding ithad been clearly brought home to him, still stoutly refused to make anyamends. 

When there is a grub in a wattle-tree its diseased state, which producesexcrescences, soon betrays this circumstance to the watchful eyes of anative, and an animal much larger than those found in the grass-tree issoon extracted; they seldom however find more than one or two of these inthe same tree. 

Grubs are either eaten raw or roasted; they are best roasted tied up in apiece of bark in the manner in which I have before stated that they cooktheir fish. If the natives are taunted with eating such a disgustingspecies of food as these grubs appear to Europeans they invariably retortby accusing us of eating raw oysters, which they regard with perfecthorror. 

HUNTING THE SMALLER ANIMALS. 

The smaller species of animals are either caught by surprising them intheir seats or by burning the bush. A native hunting for food has hiseyes in constant motion and nothing escapes them; he sees a kangaroo-ratSitting in a bush, and he walks towards it as if about to pass itcarelessly, but suddenly, when on one side of it, he stamps on the bushwith all his force, and crushes the little animal to death; should it berapid enough in its movements to avoid this blow he hurls his dow-uk atit as it scampers off, and should he not hit it he runs after and tracksit to some dead hollow tree, lying on the ground, in which it has takenshelter, and with the aid of his spear, which is about ten feet long, hedraws it out. 

Another very ingenious mode of taking wallaby and the smaller kind ofkangaroos is to select a thick bushy place where there are plenty ofthese animals; the bushes are then broken down in a circle round the spotwhere they intend to hunt, so as to form a space of broken scrub aboutten feet wide all round a thick bush, they thus not only destroy the runsof the animals but form with the fallen bushes a place which soembarrasses and entangles them that they find great difficulty in passingit; indeed when these preparations have been made the natives fire thebush and the frightened animals, finding their runs stopped up, rush intothe fallen branches, where every jump which they make upon their hindlegs only involves them in greater difficulties, so that they fall aneasy prey to their pursuers. 

Some of the smaller animals such as the dal-gyte, an animal about thesize of a weasel, burrow in the earth; these the natives surprise whenthey are feeding or dig them from their burrows. They are all cooked byhaving their fur singed off and being roasted on the fire; to the tasteof a native the skinning a small animal would be an abomination, and Imust really confess that a kangaroo-rat, nicely singed and cooked bythem, is not a bad dish for a hungry traveller. 

Although the natives could in many districts procure native salt, andmost certainly from its abundance cannot be unacquainted with it, theynever use it until they have seen Europeans do so, and even then do notat first like it. They also dislike mustard, sauces, etc. , when theyfirst eat them, and indeed nothing can be more ludicrous than theirgrimaces are the first time mustard is given to them upon a piece ofmeat. 

ROOTS EATEN BY NATIVES. EDIBLE ROOTS AND SEEDS. 

The roots eaten by the natives belong to the following genera:

Dioscorea, two species. Haemadorum, several species, as the Mene, Ngool-ya, Mudja, etc. Etc. Geranium, several species. Boerhaavia, two species. Typha, two species. Orchis, several species. 

RULES FOR GATHERING ROOTS AND PLANTS. 

Some of these are in season in every period of the year and the nativesregulate their visits to the different districts accordingly. Thoseplants which grow in a stiff soil cannot be dug up by their implementswithout great difficulty in the heat of the dry season, but those whichgrow in a loose sandy soil can be obtained at all times. The natives havehowever a law that no plant bearing seeds is to be dug up after it hasflowered; they then call them (for example) the mother of Bohn, themother of Mudja, etc. ; and so strict are they in their observance of thisrule that I have never seen a native violate it unless requested by anEuropean, and even then they betray a great dislike to do so. 

The abundance of these roots varies, of course, with the nature of thesoil, etc. , but when there is a scarcity of any one of them this is amplyprovided for by the abundance of others. In the Province of Victoria, asalready stated, I have seen tracts of land, several square miles inextent, so thickly studded with holes where the natives had been diggingup yams (Dioscorea) that it was difficult to walk across it. Again, inthe sandy desert country which surrounds for many miles the town ofPerth, in Western Australia, the different species of Haemadorum are veryplentiful. 

GATHERING AND COOKING ROOTS. MODE OF COOKING AND PREPARING THEM. 

It is generally considered the province of women to dig roots, and forthis purpose they carry a long pointed stick which is held in the righthand and driven firmly into the ground, where it is shaken so as toloosen the earth, which is scooped up and thrown out with the fingers ofthe left hand, and in this manner they dig with great rapidity. But thelabour in proportion to the amount obtained is great. To get a yam abouthalf an inch in circumference and a foot in length they have to dig ahole above a foot square and two feet in depth; a considerable portion ofthe time of the women and children is therefore passed in thisemployment. If the men are absent upon any expedition the females are left in chargeof one who is old or sick; and in traversing the bush you often stumbleon a large party of them, scattered about in the forest, digging roots, and collecting the different species of fungus. 

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 othershave almost the taste and appearance of a small English potato, but ofthese only a single root is attached to each plant: the mene has ratheran acid taste and when eaten alone is said, by the natives, to causedysentery; they never use it in the southern districts without poundingit between two stones and sprinkling over it a few pinches of an earthwhich they consider extremely good and nutritious; they then pound themould and root together into a paste, and swallow it as a bonne bouche, the noxious qualities of the plant being destroyed by the earth. 

Many other roots are pounded between flat stones into a paste and arethen made into a cake and baked. The two roots which taste the best, whencooked in this way, are the jee-ta and yunjid. 

The former of these resembles in appearance and taste the unripe seeds ofIndian corn; it is in season in June and is really very palatable. Thelatter is the root of a species of flag, and consists of a case enclosinga multitude of tender filaments, with nodules of farinaceous matteradhering 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 beadmitted to bestow a sort of cultivation upon this root, as theyfrequently burn the leaves of the plant in the dry seasons in order toimprove it. 

EDIBLE FUNGI AND GUMS. 

The different kinds of fungus are very good. In certain seasons of theyear they are abundant and the natives eat them greedily. 

Kwon-nat is the kind of gum which most abounds and is considered thenicest article of food. It is a species of gum-tragacynth. In the summermonths the acacias growing in swampy plains are literally loaded withthis gum, and the natives assemble in numbers to partake of thisfavourite esculent. As but few places afford a sufficient supply of foodto support a large assemblage of persons these Kwon-nat grounds aregenerally the spots at which their annual barter meetings are held, andduring these fun, frolic, and quarrelling of every description prevail. 

POISONOUS NUTS. 

No article of food used by the natives is more deserving of notice thanthe by-yu. This name is applied to the pulp of the nut of a species ofpalm which, in its natural state, acts as a most violent emetic andcathartic; the natives themselves consider it as a rank poison: theyhowever are acquainted with a very artificial method of preparing it, bywhich it is completely deprived of its noxious qualities and then becomesan agreeable and nutritious article of food. Europeans who are notacquainted with this mode of preparing the nut, the stones of which theyfind lying about the fireplaces of the natives, are frequently tempted toeat it in its natural state, but they invariably pay a severe penalty forthe mistake. The following extract, from Captain Cook's * first voyage, gives one instance of this:

(*Footnote. Volume 2 page 624. )

The third sort, which, like the second, is found only in the Northernparts, seldom grows more than ten feet high, with small pinnated leaves, resembling those of some kind of fern; it bears no cabbage, but aplentiful crop of nuts, about the size of a large chestnut, but rounder. As the hulls of these were found scattered round the places where theIndians had made their fires it was taken for granted that they were fitto eat; however those who made the experiment paid dear for theirknowledge to the contrary, for they operated both as an emetic andcathartic, with great violence: still however it was not doubted but theywere eaten by the Indians, and, in order to determine this more clearly, they were carried to the hogs, who might be supposed to have aconstitution as strong as the Indians, although the ship's people hadnot. The hogs ate them indeed, and for some time apparently withoutsuffering any inconvenience, but in about a week they were so muchdisordered that two of them died; the rest were recovered with greatdifficulty. It is probable however that the poisonous quality of thesenuts 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. 

. .. 

MODE OF RENDERING THEM INNOXIOUS. 

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 tosoak for several days. When they have ascertained that the by-yu has beenimmersed 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 aperson's arms can reach, and one foot in diameter; they line them withrushes and fill them up with the nuts, over which they sprinkle a littlesand, and then cover the holes nicely over with the tops of thegrass-tree; in about a fortnight the pulp which encases the nut becomesquite dry, and it is then fit to eat, but if eaten before that itproduces the effects already described. The natives eat this pulp bothraw and roasted; in the latter state they taste quite as well as achestnut. The process which these nuts undergo in the hands of thenatives has no effect upon the kernel, which still acts both as a strongemetic and cathartic. 

I have taken some trouble to ascertain if any traditional notion existsamongst the natives which would in any way account for their having firstobtained a knowledge of the means by which they could render thedeleterious pulp of the Zamia nut a useful article of food; but in this, as in all other similar instances, they are very unwilling to confesstheir ignorance of a thing, and rather than do so will often invent atradition. Hence many intelligent persons have raised most absurdtheories and have committed lamentable errors. 

ROVING HABITS DEPENDANT ON FOOD. 

The other kinds of food which I have mentioned on the list scarcelyrequire a particular description. They are collected by the people asthey rove from spot to spot, and are rather used as adjuncts to help outa meal than as staple articles of provision; several of them are howevermuch liked by the natives, and they always regulate the visits to theirhunting grounds so as to be at any part which plentifully produces acertain sort of food at the time this article is in full season: thisroving habit produces a similar character in the kangaroos, emus, andother sorts of game which are never driven more from one part than fromanother. In fact they are kept in a constant state of movement from placeto place; but directly a European settles down in the country hisconstant residence in one spot soon sends the animals away from it, andalthough he may in no other way interfere with the natives the merecircumstance of his residing there does the man on whose land he settlesthe injury of depriving him of his ordinary means of subsistence. 

EDIBLE PRODUCTIONS VARY IN DIPFERENT DISTRICTS. COMMON RIGHTS IN CERTAINFOOD. 

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 ofvisiting some neighbour whose property is productive in this particulararticle at the period in which it is in perfection; and there are evensome tracts of land which abound in gum, kwon-nat, etc. , which numerousfamilies appear to have an acknowledged right to visit at the period ofthe year when this article is in season, although they are not allowed tocome there at any other time. This is a curious point and might throwsome further light upon the subject of their families or lines ofdescent. 

It must be borne in mind that the articles of food I have enumerated inthis chapter belong only to a particular district of about two hundredmiles in extent, for every degree of latitude some articles woulddisappear from the list, whilst other new ones would enter into it. Forinstance on the north-west coast they eat a species of oyster (unio) thealmonds of the pandanus, wild grapes, guavas, the excellent fruit of aspecies of capparis, and many other articles which are not known upon thesouth-west coast; but these are procured and cooked in the same manner asthe articles which I have already enumerated. My object being merely togive such an outline as would enable the reader to understand well themode of life of an Australian savage, I did not think such particulardetails necessary as I should have been led into, had I enumerated allthe sorts of food which I have seen eaten by the natives in Australia. 

CHAPTER 15. SONGS AND POETRY. 

GENERAL PRACTICE OF SINGING. TRADITIONAL SONGS. 

Like all other savage races the natives of Western Australia are veryfond of singing and dancing: to a sulky old native his song is what aquid of tobacco is to a sailor; is he angry, he sings; is he glad, hesings; is he hungry, he sings; if he is full, provided he is not so fullas to be in a state of stupor, he sings more lustily than ever; and it isthe peculiar character of their songs which renders them under allcircumstances so solacing to them. The songs are short, containinggenerally only one or two ideas, and are constantly repeated over andover again in a manner doubtless grating to the untutored ear of aEuropean, but to one skilled in Australian music lulling and harmoniousin the extreme, and producing much the same effect as the singing of anurse does upon a child. 

SONG OF AN OLD MAN IN WRATH. SCENE PRODUCED BY IT. 

Nothing can give a better idea of the character of these people thantheir songs. In England an elderly gentleman, who has been at all put outof his way by encroachments and trespasses upon his property, sits overhis fire in the evening, sipping his port and brooding over vengeance bymeans of the law; but the law is tortuous, expensive, and uncertain; hisrevenge is very distant from him; under these circumstances the more theelderly gentleman talks the more irate he becomes. Very different is theconduct of the elderly Australian gentleman. He comes to his hut at nightin a towering passion; tucks his legs under him, and seats himself uponhis heels before the fire; he calls to his wife for pieces of quartz andsome dried kangaroo sinews, then forthwith begins sharpening andpolishing his spears, and whilst thus occupied, sings to himself:

I'll spear his liver, I'll spear his lights, I'll spear his heart, I'll spear his thigh, etc. Etc. Etc. 

After a while he pauses and examines the point he has been working at; itis very sharp, and he gives a grunt of satisfaction. His wives now chimein:

The wooden-headed, Bandy-legged, Thin-thighed fellows--The bone-rumped, Long-shinned, Thin-thighed fellows. 

The old gentleman looks rather more murderous but withal more pleasant, and as he begins to sharpen his second spear he chants out:

I'll spear their liver, I'll spear their bowels, I'll spear their hearts, I'll spear their loins. 

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 fightof the coming day: then the recollections of the deeds of his youth rushthrough his mind; he changes his measure to a sort of recitative, andcommences an account of some celebrated fray of bygone times; thechildren and young men crowd round from the neighbouring huts, the oldgentleman becomes more and more vociferous, first he sticks his spearpoint under his arm and lies on his side to imitate a man dying, yetchanting away furiously all the time, then he grows still more animated, occasionally adjusting his spear with his throwing-stick and quivering itwith a peculiar grace. The young women now come timidly up to see what isgoing on; little flirtations take place in the background, whereat thevery elderly gentlemen with very young wives, whose dignity would becompromised by appearing to take an interest in passing events, and whohave therefore remained seated in their own huts, wax jealous, anddespatch their mothers and aged wives to look after the younger ladies. These venerable females have a dread of evil spirits, and consequentlywill 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, allmaking for a common centre, at which are congregated old and young; jestfollows jest, one peal of laughter rings close upon the heels of another, the elderly gentleman is loudly applauded by the bystanders, and, havingfairly sung the wrath out of himself, he assists in getting up the dancesand songs with which their evening terminates. 

INFLUENCE OF THEIR SONGS. 

Is a native afraid, he sings himself full of courage; in fact under allcircumstances he finds aid and comfort from a song. Their songs aretherefore naturally varied in their form; but they are all concise andconvey in the simplest manner the most moving ideas: by a song or wildchant composed under the excitement of the moment the women irritate themen to acts of vengeance; and four or five mischievously inclined oldwomen can soon stir up forty or fifty men to any deed of blood by meansof their chants, which are accompanied by tears and groans, until the menare worked into a perfect state of frenzy. 

NATIVE POETS. 

A true poet in Australia is highly appreciated. Simple as their songsappear, there are in them many niceties which a European cannot detect;it is probable that what is most highly estimated by this people is thatthe cadence of the song, and the wild air to which it is chanted, shouldexpress well to their ideas the feelings and passions intended topredominate in the mind at the moment in which it is sung: hence we findthat the compositions of some of these poets pass from family to family, and from district to district, until they have very probably traversedthe whole continent; the natives themselves having at last no idea of thepoint where they originated, or of the meaning of the words which theysing, successive changes of dialect having so altered the song thatprobably not one of the original words remains; but they sing soundsanalogous to these, to the proper air. And this is not confined toWestern Australia, for Mr. Threlkeld, in his Australian Grammar, * says:

There are poets among them who compose songs which are sung and danced toby their own tribe in the first place, after which other tribes learn thesong and dance, which itinerates from tribe to tribe throughout thecountry, until, from change of dialect, the very words are not understoodby the blacks. 

(*Footnote. Page 90. )

. .. 

A family seldom make a distant friendly visit to other tribes, but theybring back a new song or two with them, and these, for a time, are quiteas much the rage as a new fashionable song in England. Occasionally thesongs also bear the name of the poet who composed them, though this isnot often the case; there are however two or three poets in Australia whoenjoy a great celebrity, but whether they are living, or belonged toancient times, or whether they are merely imaginary beings I have neverbeen able to discover. 

DISREGARD OF EUROPEAN MUSIC. NATIVE OPINION OF EUROPEAN SINGING. 

Their own songs are, according to their idea, the very perfection ofharmony, rude and discordant as they are to our ears; perhaps no moreextraordinary instance of the force of habit and diversity of taste thanthis could be advanced. A native sings joyously the most barbarous andsavage sounds, which rend asunder the refined ears of the European, whoturns away in agony from the discordant noise while the surroundingnatives loudly applaud as soon as the singer has concluded. But shouldthe astounded European endeavour to charm these wild men by one of hisrefined and elegant lays they would laugh at it as a combination of sillyand effeminate notes, and for weeks afterwards entertain their distantfriends, at their casual meetings, by mimicking the tone and attitude ofthe white man; an exhibition which never fails to draw down loud shoutsof applause. 

Some of the natives are not however insensible to the charms of ourmusic. Warrup, a native youth who lived with me for several months as aservant, once accompanied me to an amateur theatre at Perth, and when theactors came forward and sang God save the Queen he burst into tears. Hecertainly could not have comprehended the words of the song, andtherefore must have been affected by the music alone. 

ADAPTATION OF DANCES TO THEIR SONGS. 

The only accompaniment to their songs used in the southern parts of thecontinent is the clapping of hands or the beating of a short round stickagainst the flat board with which they throw their spears; in this lattercase the rounded stick is held in its centre, between the fingers andthumb of the right hand, and its ends are alternately struck against theflat board in such a manner as to produce a rude kind of music, in timeto the air they are singing. Although this appears to be so very simplean instrument it requires some practice to beat the time accurately, andby young men who desire to have the reputation of being exquisites thisis considered to be a very necessary accomplishment. 

Some songs have a peculiar dance connected with them; this however is notalways the case, and I have occasionally seen the same dance adapted todifferent songs. 

Having given this general outline of their songs I will now add such aselection of them as will convey some idea of the character of theirpoetry, at the same time there is reason to believe that a good deal ofit is traditional, and may date its origin from a very remote epoch. Someof their dances have also a very peculiar mystical character about them, and these they very unwillingly exhibit in the presence of Europeans. 

The following is a very favourite song of the natives to the north ofPerth; it is sung to a wild and plaintive air, and relates to some actionof a native who lived in that part of the continent, of the name ofWarbunga. A little boy, a descendant of his, is still living, who bearsthe same name. 

SPECIMENS OF SONGS. EXAMPLES OF SONGS FOR VARIOUS OCCASIONS. 

Kad-ju bar-dook, War-bung-a-loo, War-bung-a-loo. Kad-ju bar-dook, War-bung-a-loo, War-bung-a-loo, War-bung-a-loo. 

They then commence again, constantly repeating these words in the sameorder. 

TRANSLATION. 

Thy hatchet is near thee, Oh Warbunga, Oh Warbunga. Thy hatchet is near thee, Warbunga-ho, Warbunga-ho, Warbunga-ho. 

A favourite song of the natives in the district of the Murray in WesternAustralia is:

Kar-ro yool, i, yool-a!Kar-ro yool, i, yool-a!etc. Etc. Etc. 

And these words they go on singing for an hour together, in the event ofthe absence of any of their relatives or friends upon a hunting or warexcursion. 

TRANSLATION. 

Return hither, hither ho!Return hither, hither ho!

The following is a very good specimen of one of their comic songs. It isoften sung by the natives in the vicinity of King George's Sound. 

Mat-ta, mat-ta, Yungore bya, Mat-ta, mat-ta, Yungore bya, etc. Etc. Etc. 

TRANSLATION. 

Oh what legs, oh what legs, The Kangaroo-rumped fellows, Oh what legs, oh what legs, etc. Etc. Etc. 

FUNERAL CHANT. 

Nothing can awake in the breast more melancholy feelings than the funeralchants of these people. They are sung by a whole chorus of females of allages and the effect produced upon the bystanders by this wild music isindescribable. I will give one chant which I have heard sung upon severaloccasions. 

The young women sing: Kar-dang. The old women sing: Mam-mul. Together: gar-ro. Me-la nad-joNung-a-broo. Kar-dang. Mam-mul. Together: gar-ro. Me-la nad-joNung-a-broo. Etc. Etc. Etc. 

TRANSLATION. 

My young brotherMy young son(again)In future shall Inever see. My young brotherMy young son(again)In future shall Inever see. 

WAR-CHANTS. INFLUENCE OF SONGS IN ROUSING THE ANGRY PASSIONS OF THE MEN. 

In this chant the old and young women respectively sing "my young son, "and, "my young brother:" the metre and rhyme are also very carefullypreserved, and the word Kardang is evidently expressly selected for thispurpose; for were they speaking in prose they would use a term denotingeldest brother, youngest brother, second brother, or some similar one;whilst I have heard the word Kardang always used in this chant whetherthe deceased was the first, second, or third brother. 

The men have also certain war-chants or songs; these they sing as they gowalking rapidly to and fro, quivering their spears in order to workthemselves up into a passion. The following is a very common one:

Yu-do dan-na, Nan-do dan-na, My-eree dan-na, Goor-doo dan-na, Boon-gal-la dan-na, Gonog-o dan-na, Dow-al dan-na, Nar-ra dan-na. Etc. Etc. Etc. 

TRANSLATION. 

Spear his forehead, Spear his breast, Spear his liver, Spear his heart, Spear his loins, Spear his shoulder, Spear his thigh, Spear his ribs, etc. Etc. Etc. 

Thus rapidly enumerating all the parts in which they intend to striketheir enemies. 

It is very rarely that any remarkable circumstance occurs but songs arecomposed in order to perpetuate the remembrance of it. For example, whenMiago, the first native who ever quitted Perth, was taken away in H. M. Surveying vessel Beagle in 1838, the following song was composed by anative and was constantly sung by his mother (at least so she says)during his absence, and it has ever since been a great favourite:

Ship bal win-jal bat-tar-dal gool-an-een, Ship bal win-jal bat-tar-dal gool-an-een. Etc. Etc. Etc. Etc. 

Whither is that lone ship wandering, Whither is that lone ship wandering, etc. Etc. Etc. Etc. 

Again, on Miago's safe return, the song given below was composed by anative after he had heard Miago recount his adventures:

Kan-de maar-o, kan-de maar-a-lo, Tsail-o mar-ra, tsail-o mar-ra-lo. Etc. Etc. Etc. Etc. 

Unsteadily shifts the wind-o, unsteadily shifts the wind-o, The sails-o handle, the sails-o handle-ho. 

I will now add several other songs which are composed in differentdialects; these will serve both as examples of their metre and style ofpoetry and as specimens for the purpose of comparison with the songs ofthe natives of the other portions of the continent. 

Number 1. 

One voice:Djal-lee-lee-na. 

Chorus:Mong-a-da, mong-a-da, Mong-a-da, mong-a-da, Mong-a-da, mong-a-da. 

One voice:Eee-dal-lee-na. 

Chorus:Wun-a-da, wun-a-da, Wun-a-da, wun-a-da, Wun-a-da, wun-a-da. Etc. Etc. Etc. 

They all join in the chorus of:

Mong-a-da, etc. Etc. Wun-a-da, etc. Etc. 

And clap their hands in time to the air to which this chorus is sung, sothat the effect produced is very good. I am unable to render this songinto English. 

Number 2. 

Dow-al nid-ja kotiay bool-a, Woor-ar wur-rang-een, Dow-al nid-ja kotiay bool-a, Woor-ar wur-rang-eenDow-al nid-ja kotiay bool-a, Woor-ar wur-rang-een. 

These lines are repeated three times more, and then follows the chorus:

Chorus:Ban-yee wur-rang-een, Koong-arree, wur-rang-een, Ban-yee wur-rang-een, Koong-arree, war-rang-een. Etc. Etc. Etc. 

Number 3. 

Kat-ta ga-roo, NgiaBur-na-ri-noo. Yar-dig-o-roo, NgiaBur-na-ri-noo. Etc. Etc. Etc. 

Number 4. 

Yerib-a-balo, may-il boyne ga-ree, Yerib-a-balo, may-il boyne ga-ree. Etc. Etc. Etc. 

Number 5. 

Mar-ra boor-ba, boor-ba nung-a, Mar-ra gul-ga, gul-ga nung-a. 

SONGS AND EXTEMPORANEOUS CHANTS. 

These songs give however no idea of the manner in which they chant forththeir feelings. When irritated by any passionate emotions they then pourout with the greatest volubility torrents of reproach, all in a measuredcadence and with at least the same number of syllables in each line, buteven the rhyme is generally preserved; the two following translations ofchants of this sort are rendered as literally into English as the greatdifference between the languages permits. 

CHANTS OF JEALOUSY AND REPROACH. 

The reader must imagine a little hut, formed of sticks fixed slantinginto the ground with pieces of bark resting against them, so as to form arude shelter from the wind; underneath this were seated round a fire fivepersons--an old man, and his four wives; one of these was considerablyyounger than the others, and being a new acquisition, all but herselfwere treated with cold neglect. One of her rivals had resolved not tosubmit patiently to this, and when she saw her husband's cloak spread toform a couch for the newcomer she commenced chanting as follows, addressing old Weer-ang her husband:

Wherefore came you, Weerang, In my beauty's pride, Stealing cautiouslyLike the tawny boreang, *On an unwilling bride. 'Twas thus you stole meFrom one who loved me tenderly:A better man he was than thee, Who having forced me thus to wed, Now so oft deserts my bed. 

Yang, yang, yang, yoh--

Oh where is he who wonMy youthful heart, Who oft used to bless, And call me loved one:You Weerang tore apart, From his fond caress, Her, whom you now desert and shun;Out upon thee faithless one:Oh may the Boyl-yas** bite and tear, Her, whom you take your bed to share. 

Yang, yang, yang, yoh--

Wherefore does she slumberUpon thy breast, Once again to-night, Whilst I must numberHours of sad unrest, And broken plight. Is it for this that I rebukeYoung men, who dare at me to look?Whilst she, replete with arts and wiles, Dishonours you and still beguiles. 

(*Footnote. Boreang is the word for a male native dog. )

(**Footnote. Boyl-ya is the native name for a sorcerer. )

This attack upon her character was more than the younger female could beexpected to submit to, she therefore in return chanted:

Oh, you lying, artful one, Wag away your dirty tongue, I have watched your tell-tale eyes, Beaming love without disguise:I've seen young Imbat nod and wink, Oftener perhaps than you may think. 

What further she might have said I know not; but a blow upon the headfrom her rival, which was given with the stick the women dig up the rootswith, brought on a general engagement, and the dispute was finallysettled by the husband beating several of his wives severely about thehead with a hammer. 

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 ifever the husband is about to spear or beat one of his wives the othersare certain to set on her and treat her with great inhumanity. 

CHANT EXCITING TO REVENGE. 

The next translation is that of a chant sung by an old woman to incitethe 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, orabusing. She stood with her legs wide apart, waving her wanna, or longdigging stick in the air, and rocking her body to and fro, whilst herkangaroo-skin cloak floated behind her in the wind. She was thus quitethe beau ideal of a witch. The following is the sense of the words sheused, at least as nearly as it is possible to express their force andmeaning in English. 

The blear-eyed sorcerers of the north, Their vile enchantments sung and wove, And in the night they issued forth, A direful people-eating drove. Feasting on our loved one, With gore-dripping teeth and tongue, The wretches sat, and gnawed, and ate, Whilst their victim soundly slept. 

Yho, yang, yho yang, yang yho. 

Aye--unconsciously he restedIn a slumber too profound;The vile boyl-yas sat and feastedOn the victim they had boundIn resistless lethargy. Mooli-go, our dear young brother, Where is another like to thee?Tenderly loved by thy mother, We again shall never seeMooli-go, our dear young brother, Yho, yang yho, ho, ho. 

Men, who ever bold have been, Are your long spears sharpened well?Is the keen quartz fixed anew?Let each shaft upon them tell. Poise your meer-ros long and true:Let the kileys whiz and whirlIn strange contortions through the air;Heavy dow-uks at them hurl;Shout the yell they dread to hear. Let the young men leap on high, To avoid the quivering spear;Light of limb, and quick of eye, Who sees well has nought to fear. Let them shift, and let them leap, When the quick spear whistling flies;Woe to him who cannot leap!Woe to him who has bad eyes!

FEMALE ENERGY IN CHANTING. 

When one of these old hags has entered upon a chant of this kind nothingbut complete exhaustion induces her to stop, and the instant she pausesanother takes up the burden of her song. The effect some of them produceupon the assembled men is very great; in fact these addresses of the oldwomen are the cause of most of the disturbances which take place. Theabove translations, without being exactly literal, are as near theoriginal as I could render them. As they are entirely uttered on the spurof the moment there is generally abundant evidence of passion and feelingabout them; and although I might have added a great variety, I think thatthe above will give the English reader as good an idea of the peculiarmode of address of this people as it is in my power to do. 

CHAPTER 16. FUNERAL CEREMONIES, SUPERSTITIONS, AND REMARKABLE CUSTOMS. 

DEATH AND BURIAL OF A NATIVE NEAR PERTH. 

Friday June 14 1839. 

Yenna came to me this afternoon to tell me that Mulligo was now so illthere was but little chance of his living for many hours longer, andfurther to request that I would accompany him to see the sufferer. Nearlytwo months had elapsed since Mulligo had severely injured his spine by afall from a tree; and immediately after the occurrence of this accidenthe had completely lost the use of his lower extremities, and had day byday declined until he was now reduced to a perfect skeleton. I wastherefore but little surprised at the intelligence which Yenna broughtme; and as I was anxious to see the ceremonies that would accompany hislast moments I at once started for the native encampment. 

CONTENTION FOR MULLIGO'S WIDOWS. 

Mulligo was a Ngotak and had two wives, Kokoobung and Mugarwit, both ofthe Ballaroke family, and neither of them deficient either in youth, orin such personal charms as find favour in the eyes of the natives. Ianticipated therefore that from some quarter or the other objectionswould be raised to allowing Miago, the uterine brother of Mulligo (andtherefore also a Ngotak) to carry off unmolested two such attractiveyoung widows. According to native custom however they of right, upontheir husband's death, became the wives of Miago. 

On approaching the point where Mulligo was lying, distant about a milefrom Perth, I found that my anticipations were correct. I fell in withthe encampment of the friends of a native named Bennyyowlee, of theTdondarup family. This native had signified his intention of assertinghis claims to the possession of one of these young women, and even someof Miago's friends were disposed to favour him. Bennyyowlee was absent atthe Canning River with a party of natives for the purpose of procuringspears, and thus preparing himself for coming events. His friends howeverhad constructed their huts within a few hundred yards of those ofMulligo's relatives, so that in the event of the arrival of theMurraymen, who they were apprehensive would make an attempt to carry offMulligo's wives, they might be able to assist Miago in his endeavours toprevent such an outrage, whilst at the same time their proximity to hisparty enabled them to see that no foul play took place. 

As I passed them they endeavoured to impress upon my mind that one wifewas enough for Miago, and that if he surrendered the other to Bennyyowleethey would assist him against the Murraymen. I however resolved not tointerfere in the business, and thus telling them I bent my steps to theother encampment. 

DYING SCENE IN HIS TENT. 

On my arrival I found poor Mulligo sinking fast; his two wives and hismother were watching by his side. He just recognised me, and faintly andslowly said, "men-dyke boola nganya" (I am very ill. ) The native womennear him were much alarmed because he could not swallow, and to supporthim were slowly dropping water into his ear. His last moment wasevidently near at hand, and, after having felt his pulse and paid him afew little attentions, which always gratify them much, I turned away toexamine the dispositions of the encampment. 

I found that Miago's hut was close to Mulligo's, and he himself waspresent, ready to assert his right to the wives of his dying brothershould anyone appear to dispute his claims; he was evidently wellsupported, for the Nagarnook family mustered strong around his hut, andthe 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, andtherefore evidently favoured Miago's cause. They were all in anxiousexpectation of the return of Moorroongo, who had gone off with a partyfor the purpose of cutting spears, with which the friends of his stepson(Miago) might be able to act either offensively or defensively ascircumstances should require. As I conceived that there was everypossibility of Mulligo's having sufficient strength left to lingerthrough the night, and as the evening was fast closing in, after a littlecasual conversation with the natives I returned home. 

MOURNING WOMEN. THEIR SONGS AND CEREMONIES. 

June 15. 

Soon after daybreak I reached the entrance of Mulligo's hut: he was alivebut his respiration was scarcely visible. His head rested on his mother'sknees, and her withered breasts now rested on his lips as she leantcrying over him; other women were seated round, their heads all vergingto a common centre over the wasted frame of the dying man; they werecrying bitterly and scratching their cheeks, foreheads, and noses withtheir nails until the blood trickled slowly from the wounds. The men inthe front of the huts were busied in finishing off their spears, readyfor the coming fight. 

I stood for some time watching the mournful scene, but other nativefemales soon began to arrive; they came up in small parties, generally bythrees, marching slowly forward with their wan-nas (a long stick they usefor digging up roots) in their hands; the eldest female walked first, andwhen they approached within about thirty or forty yards of the hut inwhich the dying man lay they raised the most piteous cries, and, hurryingtheir pace, moved rapidly towards the point where the other women wereseated, recalling the custom alluded to by Jeremiah (9:17, 18) Call forthe wailing women that they may come, and let them make haste, and takeup a wailing for us, that our eyes may run down with tears, and oureyelids gush out with waters. 

CEREMONY ON MULLIGO'S DEATH. 

As they came up to the bark hut many of them struck it violently withtheir wan-nas, producing by the blow a dull hollow sound; they thenseated themselves in the circle, scratching their faces and joining inmournful chants, of which the one already given above was that mostfrequently uttered, and which, as I sat by the young men's fire, theyslowly repeated to me. 

The female relatives standing in the relation of mothers to Mulligo, sang:

Mam-mul, Mam-mul, My son, my son. 

Those in the relation of sister, sang:

Kar-dang, kar-dang. 

And the next part was sung indifferently by both of them:

Garro. Nad-joo, Meela, Nung-a-broo. 

Again, I shallNot see in future. 

Then one of the women, having worked herself to a pitch of frenzy, wouldnow and then start up and, standing in front of the hut whilst she wavedher wan-na violently in the air, would chant forth dire imprecationsagainst certain boyl-yas, or magicians, or rather wizards, who shebelieved to be the cause of the death of poor Mulligo. Whilst thuschanting she faced and addressed her words to the men who were groupedaround their huts, and it was strange to see the various effects producedon their minds by these harangues working in their savage countenances:one while they sat in mournful silence; again they grasped firmly andquivered their spears; and by-and-bye a general "Ee-Ee" (pronounced intheir throat with the lips closed) burst forth as sign of approbation atsome affecting part of the speech. 

Time wore on. Each withered beldame by turns addressed the party, whilstthe poor wretch, the tranquillity of whose dying moments was interruptedby these scenes, gradually sank. At last the vital spark departed, andthat moment an old woman started up, mad with grief and rage, tore thehut in which he had lain to atoms, saying, "this is now no good;"* andthen poured forth a wild strain of imprecations against thebefore-mentioned boyl-yas. 

(*Footnote. Burckhardt remarked a similar custom among the Bedouin Arabs. He says: If the deceased have not left any male heir, or that the wholeproperty is transferred to another family, or if his heir is a minor, andgoes to live with his uncle or some other relative, the tent posts aretorn up immediately after the man has expired, and the tent isdemolished. Travels in Arabia page 58. )

As she proceeded the men became more and more excited, and at lastMoondee, the most violent of them, started forward and was on the pointof spearing one of Mulligo's wives; none of the men attempted tointerfere with him; but, as I anticipated, the women seized him, and heldhim, so as to prevent him from executing his purpose. This conduct on hispart at first appeared to me to arise from passion alone, but the reasonof it was soon explained. 

SUPPOSED CAUSE OF HIS DECEASE. 

It appears that some two or three months before this period Weenat, anative of the upper part of the Swan, had stolen a cloak belonging toMiago, Mulligo's brother, and had, according to their belief, frommalicious motives given this cloak to one of the native sorcerers, orboyl-yas, who by this means acquired some mysterious power over eitherMiago or his brother, but selected the latter for his victim, when hefell and broke his back. Another of these boyl-yas (according to theusual custom) was called in to give his advice, and he applied fire tothe injured part. This treatment not succeeding, and the poor fellowwasting daily away, the natives became convinced that the unfriendlyboyl-yas were in the habit of rendering themselves invisible, and nightlydescending for the purpose of feasting on poor Mulligo's flesh whilst heslept, and being under the influence of a charm he was not aware of whatwas taking place; but Moondee chose to imagine that if his wife had beenmore vigilant the boyl-yas might have been detected, and hence intendedto spear her in the leg as a punishment for her imputed neglect. 

As I have before stated the women prevented this outrage from havingeffect, and the two trembling girls, neither of whom could have been morethan fifteen, fled into Perth, to take refuge in some European's house. The native men and women, after their departure, indulged in the mostunlimited abuse of boyl-yas in general, and of the Guildford boyl-yas inparticular, against whom, according to the idea of the natives, they hadvery strong presumptive evidence from the circumstance of the cloakhaving been stolen by a Guildford man. It was still very doubtful whatboyl-yas were the actual perpetrators of the crime, so they werecontented with vowing to kill a great many of them in some direction orthe other, as soon as anyone could detect that in which the suspectedones retired. This resolution having been formed the men went into Perthin order to see that no strange natives stole either of the young widows, whilst the women lay weeping over the dead body. 

PREPARATIONS FOR THE FUNERAL. FORMATION OF THE GRAVE. 

I accompanied the men into Perth, and in the course of an hour wassummoned by the natives to witness the funeral ceremony. They had movedthe body about half a mile from the spot where the man died; the womenstill leant over it, uttering the words, yang, yang, yang, andoccasionally chanting a few sentences. 

There were but few men present, as they were watching the widows inPerth. Yenna and Warrup, the brothers-in-law of Mulligo, were digging hisgrave, which as usual extended due east and west; the Perth boyl-ya, Weeban by name, who, being a relation of the deceased, could of coursehave had no hand in occasioning his death, superintended the operations. They commenced by digging with their sticks and hands several holes in astraight line, and as deep as they could; they then united them, andthrew out the earth from the bottom of the pit thus made; all the whitesand was thrown carefully into two heaps, nearly in the form of aEuropean grave, and these heaps were situated one at the head and theother at the foot of the hole they were digging, whilst thedirty-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 thedeceased. Old Weeban paid the greatest possible attention to see that theeast and west direction of the grave was preserved, and if the leastdeviation from this line occurred in the heaps of sand, either at thehead or foot, he made some of the natives rectify it by sweeping the sandinto its proper form with boughs of trees. 

Before the digging of the grave was completed many Europeans had arrivedat the spot for the purpose of witnessing the ceremony; the natives werenot a little annoyed at this, however they proceeded rapidly in theirwork, occasionally employing a spade, but from the extreme narrowness ofthe grave, it was by no means easy to make use of this tool. During theprocess of digging, an insect having been thrown up, its motions werewatched with the most intense interest, and as this little animal thoughtproper to crawl off in the direction of Guildford, an additional proofwas furnished to the natives of the guilt of the boyl-yas of that place. 

SUPERSTITIOUS RITES. 

When the grave was completed, they set fire to some dried leaves andtwigs, then throwing them in they soon had a large blaze in it: duringthis part of the ceremony old Weeban knelt on the ground at the foot ofthe grave with his back turned towards the east, and his head bowed tothe earth, his whole attitude denoting the most profound attention; theduty he had now to perform was a very important one, being no less thanto discover in which direction the boyl-yas, when drawn out of the earthby the fire, would take flight. Their departure was not audible to commonears or visible to the eyes of ordinary mortals, but his power of boyl-yagaduk enabled him to distinguish these sights and sounds which wereinvisible and inaudible to the bystanders. 

The fire roared for some time loudly in the grave, and every eye restedanxiously on old Weeban; the hollow, almost mysterious, sound of theflames as they rose from the narrow aperture evidently had a powerfuleffect upon the superstitious fears of the natives, and when he suddenlyraised his meerro and then let it fall over his shoulder in a due eastdirection (the direction of Guildford) a grim smile of satisfactionpassed over the countenances of the young men, who now knew in whatdirection to avenge the foul witchcraft which they felt assured hadbrought about the death of their brother-in-law. 

THE BURIAL. 

The next part of their proceedings was to take the body of Mulligo fromthe females: they raised it in a cloak; his old mother made no effort toprevent its being removed, but passionately and fervently kissed the coldrigid lips, which she could never press to hers again. The body was thenlowered into the grave and seated upon a bed of leaves which had beenlaid there directly the fire was extinguished, the face being, accordingto custom, turned towards the east. The women still remained groupedtogether, sobbing forth their mournful songs, whilst the men placed smallgreen boughs upon the body until they had more than half filled up thegrave with them; cross-pieces of wood of considerable size were thenfixed 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 wascompleted; which then, owing to the heaps at the head and foot, presentedthe appearance of three graves, nearly similar in size and form, lying ina due east and west direction. 

The men having now completed their task the women came with bundles ofblackboy tops which they had gathered, and laid these down on the centralheap so as to give it a green and pleasing appearance; they placedneither meerro nor spear on the grave, but whilst they were filling inthe earth old Weeban and another native sat on their hams at the head ofit, facing the one to the north, and the other to the south, theirforeheads leaning on their clasped hands, which rested on one end of ameerro whilst the other end was placed on the ground. The ceremonieshaving been thus concluded I returned to Perth. 

WATCHING THE GRAVE. 

Sunday June 16. 

This evening I walked out to Mulligo's grave and found his old motherseated there, crying bitterly. She had indeed good reason to weep, forthose infamous boyl-yas, not content with eating the flesh of her sonduring his lifetime, and thereby causing his death, had been detected byher in the very act of sitting round his grave for the purpose of preyingon his miserable remains. There could, it appears, be no doubt of thetruth of this strange fact, for the poor old lady triumphantly pointedout their tracks, at the spot from whence they sprang into the air, inthe direction of Guildford; but my eyes unfortunately were not goodenough to detect the slightest vestige of any traces, either human orspiritual. However much this might have made me suspect the old lady'sveracity it had no such effect upon the natives, and being now firmlyconvinced that the Guildford boyl-yas were the guilty parties, theyannounced their intention of starting in a few days for the purpose ofputting Weenat to death. 

CONTEST FOR MULLIGO'S WIDOWS. 

June 17. 

Miago ought, according to custom, to have allowed three full days toelapse before his brother's widows entered his hut, but as Bennyyowleeappeared resolved not to renounce his intention of claiming the hand ofone of the ladies Miago's friends thought it more prudent to bringmatters to a speedy issue, lest, in the interim, his rival might carry ofMugawit, the young lady he was desirous of possessing. On Monday eveningtherefore when I went to the native encampment I found that the firstforms of the marriage ceremony had taken place, which were as follows:

Miago ordered the two widows of his brother to prepare his hut, that assoon as the sun had set he might sleep there. Bennyyowlee, who, with hisfriends and supporters were encamped within a few yards of the otherparty, went up to Mugawit and ordered her to follow him to his Mya, orbark hut; this she declined doing, and he immediately speared her in thethigh. Miago now, as in duty bound, threw a quartz-headed spear atBennyyowlee, which, if the latter had not most dexterously avoided, musthave proved fatal. A general disturbance would have taken place had not Iand several other Europeans come up at the same moment and pacifiedMiago, whilst Bennyyowlee took advantage of this temporary calm toevacuate the field, followed by insulting shouts of laughter from Miago'sfriends. 

A circumstance strongly illustrating the peculiar family customs of thispeople occurred this evening. Moorroongo, Miago's stepfather, was aTdondarup, and as such stood in the relation of matta-gyne toBennyyowlee; his hut stood therefore amongst those of this native'sfriends, and Miago's future wives remained in the care of his mother, andof course amongst the friends of his rival. When however Bennyyowleedeparted Miago's mother and the two native girls went over to the Ngotakand Nagarnook party, who were, on this occasion, united. They then builta hut for Miago and lighted a fire; the old mother herself swept out thehut, so as to make it perfectly clean and nice; the brides then laid downin it, one on each side, so as to leave a vacant place in the centre fortheir new lord and master; and Miago's mother, having seen all thesearrangements completed, returned once more to the hut of her husband. This was a remarkable instance of a stepfather and son being by customcompelled to espouse opposite sides of a quarrel because they boredifferent family names. 

BURIAL OF A NATIVE IN THE LESCHENAULT DISTRICT. BURIAL AT THE VASSE. 

As these forms of interment have considerable interest and are somewhatvaried in their details in different localities, I have subjoined thefollowing account of the burial of a native, as described in an extractof a letter from Mr. Bussel, a gentleman resident near the Vasse River inWestern Australia:

PROCESSION TO THE GRAVE. 

The funeral is a wild and fearful ceremony. Before I had finished in thestockyard the dead man was already removed and on its way to the place ofinterment, 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 femalenatives as they followed, mourning, after the two men who bore the bodyin their arms. 

(*Footnote. He had been murdered by his countrymen whilst tending Mr. Bussel's cattle. )

The dirge, as distance blended all the voices, was very plaintive, evenmusical; nor did the diminution of distance destroy the harmony entirely;some of the chants were really beautiful, but rendered perhaps too harshfor our ears in actual contact: for as I joined myself to the procession, and became susceptible of the trembling cadence of each separateperformer--the human voice in every key which the extremes of youth andage might produce, there was a sensation effected which I cannot welldescribe--a terrible jarring of the brain. The fact that the involuntarytears rolled down the cheeks of those infants who sat passively on theirmothers' shoulders, not appreciating the cause of lament, but merely aslisteners, must prove that these sounds are calculated to affect thenervous system powerfully. 

CEREMONIES ON INTERMENT. 

The procession moved slowly on and at length arrived at the place fixedupon for the burial. There had been a short silence previous to comingthus far, as if to give the voice a rest; for as the body touched theground, and the bearers stood erect and silent, a piercing shriek wasgiven, and as this died away into a chant some of the elder womenlacerated their scalps with sharp bones until the blood ran down theirfurrowed faces in actual streams. The eldest of the bearers then steppedforward and proceeded to dig the grave. I offered to get a spade, butthey would not have it; the digging stick was the proper tool, which theyused with greater despatch than from its imperfect nature could have beenexpected at first sight. The earth being loosened with this implement wasthen thrown out with the hands with great dexterity, in complete showersso as to form, in the same line with the grave, at both ends, twoelongated banks, the sand composing them so lightly hurled as to seemalmost like drift-sand on the seashore. In the throw, if perchance theright limit was outstepped, the proper form was retained by sweeping. 

The digging, notwithstanding the art displayed, was very tedious: theyall sat in silence, and there were no chants to understand, or to fancyone understood, or perhaps to make meanings to. 

But at length the grave was finished, and they then threw some dry leavesinto it, and, setting fire to them, while the blaze was rising up, everyone present struck repeatedly a bundle of spears with the mearuwhich they held with the butts downwards, making a rattling noise. Then, when the fire had burnt out, they placed the corpse beside the grave, andgashed their thighs, and at the flowing of the blood they all said, "Ihave brought blood, " and they stamped the foot forcibly on the ground, sprinkling the blood around them; then, wiping the wounds with a wisp ofleaves, they threw it, bloody as it was, on the dead man; then a loudscream ensued and they lowered the body into the grave, resting on theback, with the soles of the feet on the ground and the knees bent; theyfilled the grave with soft brushwood, and piled logs on this to aconsiderable height, being very careful all the time to prevent any ofthe soil from falling into the apertures; they then constructed a hutover 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 thendropped a few live coals at his feet, and, having stuck his dismantledmeerro at the end of one of the mounds, they left the place, retiring ina contrary direction from that in which they came, chanting. 

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BURIAL AT KING GEORGE's SOUND. 

The two foregoing descriptions exhibit the native funeral ceremonies aspractised at Perth, and at the Vasse on the sea-coast to the south ofPerth. I shall now add a third description of the usages at King George'sSound as given by Mr. Scott Nind in the first volume of the Journal ofthe Royal Geographical Society page 46:

Their funeral solemnities are accompanied by loud lamentations. A graveis 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 theform of a crescent; at the bottom is placed some bark, and then smallgreen boughs, and upon this the body, ornamented and enveloped in itscloak, with the knees bent up to the breast, and the arms crossed. * Overthe body are heaped more green boughs and bark, and the hole is thenfilled with earth. Green boughs are placed over the earth, and upon themare deposited the spears, knife, and hammer of the deceased, togetherwith 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. Themourners then carve circles in the bark of the trees that grow near thegrave, at the height of six or seven feet from the ground; and, lastly, making a small fire in front, they gather small boughs and carefullybrush away any portion of the earth that may adhere to them. The face iscoloured black or white, laid on in blotches across the forehead, roundthe temples, and down the cheek bones, and these marks of mourning areworn for a considerable time. They also cut the end of the nose, andscratch it for the purpose of producing tears. 

(*Footnote. Charlevoix, in describing the funeral of the North AmericanIndians, says: Le cadavre est expose a la porte de la cabanne dans laposture qu'il doit avoir dans le tombeau, et cette posture en plusieursendroits est cela de l'enfant dans la sein de sa mere. Nor was thiscustom confined to these races, for, in the words of Cicero:Antiquissimum sepulturae genus id fuisse videtur, quo apud XenophontemCyrus utitur; redditur enim terrae corpus, et ita locatum ac situm, quasioperimento matria obducitur. De Legibus 11 66. )

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CUSTOMS OF SELF-LACERATION, AND OF REMAINING WATCHING AMONG THE GRAVES. 

The foregoing relations of the ceremonies practised at a native funeralexhibit some instances of the way in which they lacerate themselves inthe exercise of certain superstitious rites, a custom very prevalentthroughout all the yet known parts of Australia, and according with thosedescribed in the first book of Kings chapter 18 verse 28: And they criedaloud, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets tillthe blood gushed out upon them. 

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. 

The natives of many parts of Australia when at a funeral cut off portionsof their beards, and, singeing these, throw them upon the dead body; insome instances they cut off the beard of the corpse, and, burning it, rubthemselves and the body with the singed portions of it. 

"It may be also remarked, " says Major Mitchell, * "that a superstitiouscustom prevailed among the Gentiles in mourning for the dead. They cutoff their hair, and threw it into the sepulchre with the bodies of theirrelations and friends, and sometimes laid it upon the face or breast ofthe dead as an offering to the infernal gods, whereby they thought toappease them, and make them kind to the deceased. " See Maimonides de Idol112 1, 2, 5. 

(*Footnote. Australian Expedition volume 1 page 254 note. )

It is enjoined in Deuteronomy chapter 14 verse 1: Ye are the children ofthe Lord your God, ye shall not cut yourselves, nor make any baldnessbetween your eyes for the dead. Now the native females invariably cutthemselves and scratch their faces in mourning for the dead; they alsoliterally make a baldness between their eyes, this being always one ofthe places where they tear the skin with the finger nails. 

The custom of remaining amongst the graves is found among the natives ofnearly all known portions of Australia. A similar practice is reprehendedin Isaiah chapter 45 verses 4 and 5: A people that provoke me to angercontinually to my face, that sacrificeth in gardens, and burneth incenseupon altars of brick, which remain among the graves, and lodge in themonuments. See also on this subject, Lewis's Origines Hebraeae, volume 3page 381. 

In Australia the object supposed to be obtained by this custom is arevelation as to what individual caused the death of the deceased; thisrevelation is made either by the means of actual visions or by dreams. 

MYSTERIOUS BONES. 

Although the natives of the different portions of Australia have variousmodes of effecting the discovery of the sorcerers who caused the death ofthe deceased, as well as different modes of avenging his death, I feelsure that they have all one common object in view. In another part ofthis work I have given an account of an old woman watching by a gravewith this intention; I have frequently however seen their sorcerersfulfil this duty; and the following extract from Mr. Threlkeld'sVocabulary will show the prevalence of this custom on the eastern side ofthe continent:*

Mur-ro-kun, the name of a mysterious bone which is obtained by theKa-ra-kul, a doctor or conjuror, three of which sleep on the grave of arecently interred corpse; when in the night, during their sleep, the deadperson 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 tothem, until they wish to kill any person, when by unknown means, it issaid and believed, they destroy in a supernatural manner their ill-fatedvictim by the mysterious bone, causing it to enter into their bodies, andso occasion their death. 

(*Footnote. Threlkeld's Vocabulary page 88. )

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THE BOYL-YAS OR NATIVE SORCERERS. 

I have already had occasion to mention incidentally, on more than oneoccasion, the Boyl-yas, or native sorcerers, and their supposed powershave a mighty influence upon the minds and actions of the natives ofWestern Australia, in whose superstitious belief the boyl-yas are objectsof mysterious dread. It is supposed that they can transport themselvesthrough the air at pleasure, and can render themselves invisible to allbut other boyl-yas. If they have a dislike to a native they can kill himby stealing on him at night and consuming his flesh. They enter him likepieces of quartz, and the pain they occasion is always felt. Anotherboyl-ya has however the power of drawing them out and curing the affectedperson by certain processes of disenchantment. When this operation iseffected the boyl-yas are drawn out in the form of pieces of quartz, which are kept and considered as great curiosities by the natives. Allnatural illnesses are attributed to these boyl-yas, or to the Wau-guls, hence the reason of some native being killed when another dies. Theindividual dies either by the hands of another native, from the effectsof accident, or from some natural cause. In the first case his death isavenged on his murderer, or on some near relative of his; in either ofthe other two cases it is avenged on some connexion of the supposedboyl-yas against whom they have a spite. 

KAIBER'S ACCOUNT OF THE BOYL-YAS. 

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 amplestatement of their belief relative to these people. The difficulty Ilaboured under upon this head, as well as the dread they entertain ofthese sorcerers, will be best shown by the following account of hisanswers to my questions, together with his incidental remarks:*

(*Footnote. His words were nearly as follows:

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-yayongar boola ngan-noween, kalla moquoin, boorda ngin-nee nganya men-dykengoomon. Boyl-ya donga gaduk, boorda gurrang ngoomon, nadjoo nginneewangow broo. 

Boyl ya kote yan-na, ngin-nee bid-jar, bal-goon kote yan-na; kote yoolyannow boyl-ya. Boyl-ya windoo-buk; boorda nganneel men-dyke ngoomon;nadjoo wanga-broo. Goodjyte yool yannow. Boyl-ya wunja nginnee? Nganyagoree katta mendyke. Boorda nginnee nganya goodjall waingur; Yoongarnungow 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-yayoongar bogal boola ngin-now. Yoongar mendyke, boyl-ya wal-byne, wal-byne, wal-byne, etc. Etc. Boorda bar-rab-a-ra yoongar. )

The boyl-yas are natives who have the power of boyl-ya; they sit down tothe northward, the eastward, and southward; the boyl-yas are very bad, they walk away there (pointing to the east). I shall be very illpresently. 

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-bythey will be greatly enraged. I'll tell you no more. 

The boyl-yas move stealthily, you sleep and they steal on you, verystealthily the boyl-yas move. These boyl-yas are dreadfully revengeful;by-and-by we shall be very ill. I'll not talk about them. 

They come moving along in the sky, cannot you let them alone. I'vealready a terrible headache, by-and-by you and I will be two dead men. 

The natives cannot see them. The boyl-yas do not bite, they feedstealthily; they do not eat the bones, but consume the flesh. Just giveme what you intend to give, and I'll walk off. 

The boyl-yas sit at the graves of natives in great numbers. If nativesare ill, the boyl-yas charm, charm, charm, charm, and charm, and by andby the natives recover. 

. .. 

I could learn nothing further from him. 

The Wau-gul is an imaginary aquatic monster, residing in fresh water andendowed with supernatural power which enables it to consume the natives, although it generally attacks females. The person it selects for itsvictim pines away almost imperceptibly and dies. 

SUPERSTITION AND THEIR OPINION REGARDING THE NIGHTMARE. 

The natives believe that the nightmare is caused by some evil spirit. Theway in which they get rid of this evil being is by jumping up, seizing alighted brand from the fire, twirling it round the head, and muttering avariety of imprecations; they then throw the stick away in the directionthey conceive the spirit to be in. Some of them have explained thiscustom to me by stating that this evil spirit wants a light, and thatwhen he gets it he will go away. They however also take the precaution ofmoving their position and getting as far as they can into the group ofnatives who are sleeping round the fire. 

If they are obliged to move away from the fire after dark, either to getwater or for any other purpose, they carry a light with them and set fireto dry bushes as they go along. 

VENERATION FOR CRYSTAL STONES. 

The natives of South-western Australia likewise pay a respect, almostamounting to veneration, to shining stones or pieces of crystal, whichthey call Teyl. None but their sorcerers or priests are allowed to touchthese, and no bribe can induce an unqualified native to lay his hand onthem. 

The accordance of this word in sound and signification with the Baetylimentioned in the following extract from Burder's Oriental Customs (volume1 page 16) is remarkable:

And Jacob rose up early in the morning, and took the stone that he hadput for his pillow, and set it up for a pillar, and poured oil upon thetop of it, and he called the name of that place Bethel. Genesis 28:18. 

From this conduct of Jacob and this Hebrew appellation, the learnedBochart, with great ingenuity and reason, insists that the name andveneration of the sacred stones called Baetyli, so celebrated in allPagan antiquity, were derived. 

These Baetyli were stones of a round form, they were supposed to beanimated by means of magical incantations, with a portion of the Deity;they were consulted on occasions of great and pressing emergency as akind of divine oracle, and were suspended either round the neck or someother part of the body. 

. .. 

That this veneration for certain pieces of quartz or crystal is commonover a very great portion of the continent is evident from the followingextracts from Threlkeld's Vocabulary, page 88:

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 ofopossum yarn. The women are not allowed to see the internal part of theball; it is used as a talisman against sickness, and it is sent fromtribe to tribe for hundreds of miles on the sea-coast, and in theinterior; one is now here from Moreton Bay, the interior of which a blackshowed me privately in my study, betraying considerable anxiety lest anyfemale should see its contents. 

After unrolling many yards of woollen cord made from the fur of theopossum, the contents proved to be a quartz-like substance of the size ofa pigeon's egg, he allowed me to break it and retain a part. It istransparent like white sugar-candy; they swallow the small crystallineparticles which crumbleoff as a preventative of sickness. It scratches glass, and does noteffervesce with acids. From another specimen the stone appears to beagate of a milky hue, semi-pellucid, and strikes fire. The vein fromwhich it appears broken off is one inch and a quarter thick. A thirdspecimen contains a portion of cornelian, partially crystallized, afragment of chalcedony, and a fragment of a crystal of white quartz. 

. .. 

And again in Mitchell's Expeditions into Australia, volume 2 page 338: Inthese girdles the men, and especially their coradjes or priests, frequently carry crystals of quartz or other shining stones, which theyhold in high estimation, and very unwillingly show to anyone; invariablytaking care, when they do unfold them, that no woman shall see them. 

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FORMS ON MAKING VOWS AND PLEDGES. 

Genesis chapter 24 verse 9. And the servant put his hand under the thighof Abraham his master, and swore to him concerning that matter. 

This is exactly the form that is observed in South-western Australia, when the natives swear amity to one another, or pledge themselves to aidone another in avenging a death. 

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 himapproaches slowly and with averted face, and seats himself cross-leggedupon the thighs of the other; they are thus placed thigh to thigh, andsqueezing their bodies together they place breast to breast. Both thenavert their faces, their eyes frequently fill with tears, no single wordis spoken; and the one who is seated uppermost places his hands under thethighs of his friend; having remained thus seated for a minute or two herises up and withdraws to a little distance without speaking, but aninviolable pledge to avenge the death has by this ceremony passed betweenthe two. 

One remarkable custom prevalent equally amongst the most ancient nationsof whom any records are preserved, and the modern Australians, is that ofnaming children from some circumstance connected with their birth orearly infancy. Thus in Genesis chapter 30 verse 11: And Leah said, Atroop cometh, and she called his name Gad; etc. Etc. Etc. 

Burckhardt observed the same custom among the Bedouins and says:

A name is given to the infant immediately on his birth; the name isderived from some trifling accident, or from some object which had struckthe fancy of the mother or any of the women present at the child's birth. Notes on the Bedouins, page 55. 

CUSTOM OF CIRCUMCISION. 

The natives of the Gulf of Carpentaria, and also those on the easternshores of St. Vincent's Gulf, practise the rite of circumcision. That is, this remarkable rite is known to be observed in two points of thecontinent of Australia exactly opposite to one another, and which areseparated by a distance of about twelve hundred miles. 

OTHER SCRIPTURAL CUSTOMS. 

The injunctions contained in Deuteronomy chapter 23 verses 12 and 13 areliterally fulfilled by the natives in several parts of the continent. Inaddition to my own testimony on this point I will refer to Wilson'sVoyage round the World, page 165, where he states:

They are cleanly in their manners, and in some respects superior to theEuropeans, fulfilling the injunction of Moses in the twelfth andthirteenth verses of the twenty-third chapter of Deuteronomy. 

This passage relates to the natives of Raffles Bay on the extreme northof the continent of Australia, whereas I have observed the custom in theSouth-western parts of Australia. 

They also conform strictly to the injunctions in Leviticus chapter 15verse 19. 

CHAPTER 17. CHARACTERISTIC ANECDOTES. 

The following casual anecdotes, though trivial in themselves, will assistin illustrating some of the peculiarities of the native mind andcharacter. 

MIAGO'S IMAGINARY SPEECH AS GOVERNOR. 

Speech that the native Miago would have addressed to the aborigines ofPerth if he had landed as Governor instead of His Excellency Mr. Hutt. Hecame into my room directly after the Governor had landed, and made thisimaginary address. 

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?

Buck-il-bury Wattup gidjee, yam bal gurrang boola?

Bun-bury gurrang, gurrang boola. 

Golam-bidie gwab-ba: Mam-me-rup wan-gow-een boola. 

Goo-lam-bidie wilgey nab-bow, yago mial, Goo-lam-bidie donga broo:mam-me-rup meno been boola, mam-me-rup gurrang gaduck, golambidiegid-jee; Dule. 

Waumma Governor yool: yahi Perth yongar bak-ad-jee yu-a-do;gwab-ba-litch. 

MIAGO'S SPEECH AS GOVERNOR. 

Henceforth this people of Perth must not fight. Moon-dee, Moon-dee, youare 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?

Bucklebury speared Wattup, what reason had he to be in such a passion(or, why was he so very angry)?

Bun-bury, you are very quarrelsome. 

The young men behave very well, the old ones are always wrangling. 

The young men paint themselves, and the women look at them; the young menare not aware of this, but the old men are very jealous--and being in apassion spear the young men--this is very wrong. 

Now another Governor is come, and you people of Perth must fight no more. This is very good. 

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WARRUP'S ACCOUNT OF HIS JOURNEY WITH MR. ROE. 

The following is Warrup's account of his journey with Mr. Roe in searchof the party left by me under Mr. Walker. (See above. ):

1st day. 

At Dundalup we ate fish; then onwards, onwards, onwards, till we slept atNeerroba. 

2nd day. 

Onwards, onwards, till we reached Nowergoop, where the horses drankwater; then onwards, onwards, onwards, until Manbabee, where we ate fleshand bread. Onwards, onwards, onwards, until Yungee, where we shot ducks, and the horses drank water. Onwards, onwards, onwards, onwards, toBoongarrup, where we slept one sleep. 

3rd day. 

Onwards through a forest, onwards through a forest, onwards through aforest. We slept at Neergammy, a pleasant resting-place; the land wasgood, the herbage good; pleasant was our resting-place, and our hut wasgood. 

4th day. 

Onwards, onwards, onwards, we entered a woody country. Onwards, through aforest, onwards through a forest; we now see the waters of Kajeelup: weeat flesh and bread. Onwards through the forest, onwards through theforest, onwards through the forest. We see the tracks of natives; weshout aloud, and then proceed conversing with natives; they sit down. *

(*Footnote. They halt or remain. )

Onwards go we, onwards, onwards, onwards; the horses drink water;by-and-bye we see tracks. Onwards, onwards, onwards; we see a largewater; we shoot ducks. On the one side we see two waters, on the otherside one water we see. Onwards, onwards, onwards, onwards, onwards; wesee no other water. Onwards through the forest, onwards through theforest, onwards through the forest; we see a river. You had here eatenfreshwater mussels: at this river we sleep. Barramba is the place's name. 

5th day. 

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. Yoursand Kaiber's footsteps we see. Here there is no grass. You had here shota bird--a cockatoo you shot. Maribara was this place's name. 

Onwards through the forest, through the forest onwards, through theforest onwards; we see no other water; the herbage is worthless. We stillgo onwards, onwards through the forest. We see natives; a few natives wesee: the men are two, the women one, the children two. We see the placecalled Nowergup. 

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 isgood. "

We go onwards, onwards, onwards: at Boranyup we sleep; rain falls as wesleep at Boranyup. 

6th day. 

Onwards through the forest, onwards through the forest, onwards throughthe 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, throughthe forest onwards, through the forest onwards. We see the sea; thenonwards, onwards, onwards; along the sea-shore onwards, along thesea-shore onwards, along the sea-shore onwards. We see the tracks ofwhite men. 

Then we turn back again, away we go back again, back again away; throughthe forest away, through the forest away, through the forest away; backagain. We move, move, till we sit at Boranyup; we then eat kangaroo; Huntand Auger had brought it in. At Boranyup we lie down: we sleep. 

7th day. 

The next day away, away, away, away, returning, returning, on our tracksreturning, on our tracks returning, on our tracks returning. At Barrambawe sit down: we eat bread and meat; they eat freshwater mussels; thenatives eat not freshwater mussels. 

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 nowater. Through a forest away; along our tracks away, along our tracksaway, along our tracks away, along our tracks away. We sleep atKa-jil-up: rain falls; the water here is good: the horses feed, well didthe horses feed. 

8th day. 

Away, away; along our tracks away, along our tracks away; hillsascending: then pleasantly away, pleasantly away, away; through a forestaway, through a forest away, through a forest away; we see a water--thewater of Goonmarrarup. Along the river away, along the river away; ashort distance along the river we go: then away, away, away, through aforest away; a short distance through a forest we go. 

Then along another river away, away; we cross the river; away, a shortdistance away. At Neergammy we sleep, raising huts. 

The others continue returning; we go away, away: in the forest we see nowater; 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 seaaway, 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 ofthem we see; they cry out, "Where is water;" water we give them--brandyand water we give them. We sleep near the sea. 

Away, away go we (I, Mr. Roe, and Kinchela) along the shore away, alongthe shore away, along the shore away. We see no fresh water; along theshore away, along the shore away. We see a paper, the paper of Mortimerand 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 commencedigging the earth. 

Two sleeps had he been dead; greatly did I weep, and much I grieved. Inhis blanket folding him, we scraped away the earth. 

We scrape earth into the grave, we scrape the earth into the grave, alittle wood we place in it. Much earth we heap upon it, much earth wethrow up. No dogs can dig there, so much earth we throw up. The sun hadjust inclined to the westward as we laid him in the ground. 

. .. 

The following are extracts from a journal kept by me whilst resident atKing George's Sound. 

ROBBERY BY PEERAT'S WIVES. TRANSACTIONS WITH THE NATIVES IN A CASE OFPOTATO STEALING. 

Thursday January 23. 

Directly after breakfast a soldier came to me with a complaint that thenatives had last night robbed his garden in the settlement of nearly onehundred weight of potatoes; I was determined to have here no repetitionof scenes similar to what had recently taken place; and thereforeresolved to act promptly and vigorously upon this first offence. 

My first object was, in my punishment, not to involve the innocent andguilty together, which is too often done by the Europeans in thesecolonies. 

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 beenstolen; he found the tracks of three natives and, availing himself of thefaculty which they possess of telling who has passed from theirfootmarks, he informed me that the three thieves had been the two wivesof a native of the name Peerat, and a little boy named Dal-be-an, the sonof Peerat. Being now well acquainted with the natives I was wellsatisfied that this evidence was of the most conclusive nature, andproceeded to act upon it by trying to arrest the delinquents; but I foundthat they had, immediately after committing the theft, walked off intothe bush, thereby hoping to avoid suspicion and with the intention ofremaining absent until the affair had blown over. 

MEASURES FOR APPREHENDING THEM. 

My mind was soon made up to pursue my friend Peerat and his fugitivewives, but it was necessary that I should proceed with great caution inorder not to alarm the guilty parties when they saw us approaching, inwhich case I should have had no chance of apprehending them; and I didnot intend to adopt the popular system of shooting them when they ranaway. I therefore determined to take no Europeans, but only four nativeswho could track the delinquents. 

Previously however to my quitting the town one gentleman joined me, andthus reinforced we started on Peerat's tracks; these we followed forabout seven miles in a west by north direction from the settlement, whenwe suddenly saw the bush set on fire and thus became aware of ourproximity to a party of natives. My European friend was hereunfortunately taken ill, and, as the natives were evidently more numerousthan I expected to have found them, I was sorry to lose his services atthis period; he however faithfully promised to await my return, and Ithus knew that I had a point d'appui to retire on in the event ofanything taking place. 

Accompanied by the natives I now pressed forward in the direction of thefire, and, after proceeding for about two miles further in a west bynorth direction, I fell in with several natives, one of whom was oldTooleegatwalee, well known in the settlement. I at once intimated to Mr. Tooleegatwalee and his friends the object of my mission; I told them thatPeerat's wives and son had stolen potatoes, that I had come out to makethem prisoners, that if they were given up to me they should only undergothe regular punishment for petty theft; but if they were not deliveredover that I would stop the regular allowance of flour which was issued toall the natives every two months, thus punishing them all; and that Iwould moreover return home, and then come out with a party of soldiersand fire upon Peerat and his party wherever I found them. This last partof my announcement was made in a very decided tone, and with a mostferocious look. 

NATIVE DELIBERATIONS. 

The natives hereupon entered into a deliberation amongst themselves, andeventually were unanimously agreed on several points, as follows:

1. That stealing potatoes was a very heinous offence, more particularlyin women. 

2, That women were notorious thieves, and altogether worse charactersthan men. 

3, That beating women was an every-day occurrence. 

4, That losing flour was a great bore; and

5, That in consequence of the above considerations, they would givePeerat, his wives, and son, up to me. 

Each of these propositions was lengthily discussed by them, but when theywere all agreed to, they came in a body and asked me, did I speak thetruth, and lie not, when I said that I myself was not angry with Peeratand his wives, and that they should not be killed but only slightlypunished? I assured them that I told the truth, and lied not. We thenproceeded in a body in search of Peerat, whom we found with some morenatives about half a mile further on. 

DISCUSSION WITH PEERAT. 

He waited quietly to receive us, not having indeed the slightest idea ofwhat was the object of my unexpected visit; when however he heard what Iwanted he abused his wives in most unmeasured terms, and assured me thathe would thrash them soundly, but as to giving them up prisoners, or hisson either, that he declared he would not do; and then very openly andfairly 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 throughthe heart that attempted to lay a finger on him. I interfered so far inthis dispute as to announce to Peerat that I considered my own person assacred, and I then cocked both barrels of my double-barrelled gun andconcluded by assuring him I should shoot him if he resisted me. 

All native altercations are vociferous and noisy in the extreme, and areusually accompanied with a great deal of running and leaping about andquivering of spears; these circumstances I now took advantage of, and, whilst the others threatened to spear one another in all imaginableplaces, I wended my solitary way towards Peerat's fire, where Idiscovered Master Dalbean, but could see nothing whatever of the ladies, who, I presume, were absent digging roots. 

HIS PLEADINGS FOR HIS SON. 

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 mevery quietly; the others meanwhile capering about and abusing one anotherin the distance. Peerat however soon found out what had taken place andcame running after me. These natives are always ardently attached totheir children, and this the boy's father now evinced in the strongestmanner: 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 adozen witnesses who all asserted that this was the case. I howeverrefuted this evidence by mentioning the fact of his footmarks being inthe garden. They then urged that Peerat's second wife had also beenengaged in the theft, and that she was just the size of the boy; thishowever again was over-ruled from the fact of her footmarks having beenalso seen there. 

PEERAT'S SON SECURED. 

The father now urged upon me the youth of the boy, and that he was underthe 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. Iwas now holding him by the wrist, for the feeling of the public began atthis affecting exhibition to turn against me, even my own natives urgingme to let the little fellow go; had I followed the dictates of my ownheart I should have done so, but I knew that by being in this instancevery determined I should effect eventually much good. I therefore heldfast by my prisoner. I now saw some of the other natives giving Peeratspears, which is always a sign that they espouse a man's quarrel andexpect him to make use of the weapons they give him. As matters thereforenow were rather a serious aspect, I again told Peerat that I personallyhad no cause of quarrel with him, but that I was resolved not to alloweither the natives to wrong the Europeans or the Europeans to wrong thenatives; that it was far better for the natives themselves that I, animpartial person, should see that they were properly punished for theft, than that the Europeans should fire indiscriminately upon them, as hadlately been done in another quarter; that I should now talk no more, butthat if he did not instantly take himself off and bring his wives in tothe settlement to be punished I would shoot him. He proceeded again toanswer me, but I cut him short by saying that if he spoke again I wouldshoot him at once; I thus had the last speech and therefore, as a matterof course, was in possession of the public favour: Peerat wasconsequently hurried off by his friends, whilst myself, the youngprisoner, and two of the natives who had accompanied me, started on ourreturn for the settlement. 

Although the affair had so far terminated well I was by no means surethat Peerat might not after my departure induce the others to attempt arescue. I therefore hurried on to the spot where I had left my Europeanfriend, but I only found a slip of paper on a tree, with the followingwords on it: "Returned slowly to the settlement. " We moved rapidly onagain and reached Albany without further adventure, and on our arrival Ilodged Dalbean in the jail. 

January 24. 

Peerat did not bring in his wives, and to all the solicitations whichwere offered me on the part of the natives for the release of my littleprisoner I answered that, when Peerat's wives were brought in and givenover to the hands of justice, I would punish the boy and release him; butif the other delinquents were not given up I should conceive it to be asign that the natives were not satisfied with my decision, and thereforesend the boy on to Swan River to be tried. I further added that, ifPeerat did not in the course of the next day appear with his wives, Ishould cease to act as mediator, and taking a party of soldiers would goout and apprehend him. 

HIS ATTEMPT TO ESCAPE. 

January 25. 

This morning information was given me that little Dalbean had made anattempt to break out of jail. I therefore went up to the jail withanother magistrate and found that the little fellow had yesterday, duringthe absence of the turnkey, taken up a loose stone from the floor and hadbattered a hole in the door with it. It evinced altogether more strengthand determination than one could have supposed such a boy to have beenendowed with. When I taxed him with it he stoutly denied it, assertingthat whilst he was asleep sorcerers from the north, who had a spiteagainst him, had entered the cell through some airholes in the wall andhad done this; and in spite of all our cross-questioning and charging himwith falsehood he still persisted in the same tale, and really appearedto think that he could persuade us of the truth of the assertion. I toldhim that it was his duty to have taken care that these sorcerers had notinjured the door, and that in future if he did not give the alarm whenthey came he should be well whipped for neglect, and that in the meantimeI had a great mind to have him whipped for telling a story; I howeversatisfied myself by giving him a severe lecture upon the crime of lying. He defended himself upon this head by ingenious arguments, altogetheroverlooking the abstract question of whether lying was a virtue or avice, and defending himself solely upon the plea of its generalusefulness and prevalence in the world. I got rather worsted in theargument, and therefore, confining myself to admonitions and a fewcommon-place maxims, I departed. 

PEERAT'S WIVES SURRENDERED. THEIR PUNISHMENT. 

In the course of the forenoon Peerat presented himself at my window. Thetale he told was a very pitiful one. He had two wives, and to govern themboth required no ordinary ability; he assured me that he had beaten themboth soundly, but notwithstanding he could not induce them to come intothe settlement until, finally losing his temper, he had threatened tospear them, and had thus induced them to follow him; he assured me thathe had done nothing but weep and lament since he had last seen me, at onetime for the loss of his son, and then again at the obstinacy and badtemper of his wives, and as some recompense for his sufferings he beggedto be allowed to beat his wives himself. 

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. Thenative women soon appeared, dreadfully cut and mangled from the beatingthey had already suffered. One was a nice-looking girl, about fourteen, but an incorrigible thief. Peerat threw back his skin to give his armfair play, and then, brandishing his meerro, was going to hit her atremendous blow upon the head, which must have laid it open. The poorgirl stood with her back towards her husband, trembling and cryingbitterly. I caught Peerat's arm, picked up a little switch from theground, and told him to beat her on the shoulders with that. He gave hertwo slight blows, or rather taps, in order to know where it was I meanthim to strike; but the poor girl cried so bitterly from fear that Istopped him, told her that for this time she should be pardoned, and thencalled the other woman up, but she had already been severely beaten andhad at that moment a little child sitting on her shoulder, who criedpiteously when he saw his mother weeping, so I let her also go free. Before they started however I gave them and the assembled natives alecture, talking to them in a ferocious style about my future intentionsin the event of robbery being committed, and warning them not to judge ofme from my present clemency. 

During the five months I had been at King George's Sound this was thefirst act of petty theft, or indeed of theft of any kind, committed bythe natives; there had on several occasions been as many as two hundredin the settlement who had no means of subsistence but a chance job fromthe colonists, and the spontaneous productions of the earth, yet duringthat period the only criminals had been those above mentioned, namely, awoman, a girl, and a boy, who had rooted up some potatoes from a retiredgarden, and they had even purposely left the large potatoes and had onlytaken away the small ones, in the hope that by so doing they would lessenthe crime. 

RELEASE OF PEERAT'S SON. 

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 myselfalone entered the jail; I told the jailor to hand him the whip, he tookit, and said, "Yes, yes, I will strike him; let not another beat him, Governor. "

The door of the cell was then opened and the little boy was led out: hisfather 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 fellowdid 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 wasended--justice was satisfied; the criminals had surrendered to salutarylaws, of which they had but a vague and undefined knowledge. It was theirfirst offence; I explained to them the nature of the laws they hadbroken, warned them to be careful in their future conduct, and let themgo. 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 justlooked at her, she cried, but did not dare to kiss him, or to show anysymptom of emotion; and the whole party, after showering thanksinnumerable upon my head, moved off, saying, "What a good fellow--what agood fellow;" or, to give a literal translation, "One good man--one goodman. "

Sunday January 26. 

Old Manniotte, a native dressed in an old uniform, attended the churchservice as usual this day and was apparently as attentive as any othermember of the congregation. 

JUDICIAL CASE OF ASSAULT. 

February 14. 

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 juststruck me. " At the same time he showed me his side which was severelybruised. I accompanied him to the beach and there found a number ofliberty men from some American whalers walking about. There were alsoseveral natives on the beach who were in a state of great excitement, andcame hurrying up to me. I had sent for the constable, and as I was comingup I saw a sailor moving off to the boats, on which the natives allshouted out, "Now, now, walk away. "

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 theRussel, commanded by Captain Long, who had previously taken me to SharkBay, it was arranged with him that the offender should be brought beforeme at 11 o'clock the next day to answer the charge. 

February 15. 

This morning Taalwurt the native, attended by his various friends, cameto me before I went to the Courthouse, to insist upon his right to speakfirst, as he appeared to think that a great deal depended upon his havingthis advantage over his opponent. I explained to him that, as plaintiff, this right of course belonged to him, and he thereupon withdrew, followedby his adherents. At the appointed hour I repaired to the Courthouse andfound the natives assembled; the Europeans had not yet arrived. I calledtherefore upon Taalwurt for an information, which was as follows:

THE ACCUSATION. ATTEMPTS AT ELOQUENCE. ADJUDICATION OF THE CASE. 

Colony of Western Australia, to wit: The information and complaint ofTaalwurt Tdondarup, of Albany, in the said Colony, made before me, GeorgeGrey, Esquire, one of H. M. Justices of the Peace in and for the saidColony, the fifteenth day of February, in the year of our Lord onethousand eight hundred and forty. 

The said Taalwurt Tdondarup complaineth and saith:

"Nganya kype yoor-ril gool-gur, boye bomb-gur. "

"I in the water carelessly walked along, a stone struck me. "

But at this point his eloquence totally deserted him, and he was pulledback by his friends, who pushed forward another native, and who stated asfollows:

Lindoll Mongalung saith: "Wal-bur wat-to Taalwurt: Djanga Taalwurtkyle-gut bomb-gur. 

"Taalwurt djanga neyp bomb-gur, kyle-gut Taalwurt neyp bomb-gur: Waumdjanga Taalwurt matta boorn boola bomb-gur: Taalwurt yoor-ril watto, waumdjunga nar-rail ngob-barn boye koombar bomb-gar. "

"Along the beach was walking Taalwurt; one of the dead struck him underthe ear. Taalwurt then very slightly struck this one of the dead; underthe ear Taalwurt very lightly struck him. Another of the dead then struckTaalwurt very forcibly on the legs with a stick: Taalwurt went walkingalong quickly; another of the dead, in the ribs with an exceedingly bigstone, extremely hard hit him. "

A murmur of applause ran through the assembled natives. The ngob-burnboye, koom-bur bomb-gur, or exceedingly big-stone, extremely hard hit, was evidently regarded by them as a masterpiece of eloquence; and thecontrast between this and the neyp bomb-gur, very gently struck, of Mr. Taalwurt, undoubtedly evinced its superiority in their estimation; but asTaalwurt was a stout able fellow, and one by no means given to dealgentle blows when in a passion, I did not place implicit faith in thispoetical narration. I had however no doubt that Taalwurt had been firststruck and was thus the injured party; but now I knew he had returned theblow I was also sure that he had given at least as good a one as he hadtaken. 

The case therefore did not tell in Taalwurt's favour as much as Iexpected it would; and on the offender being produced, I found that hewas a native from the island of Timor, and not much more civilized thanhis opponent. The mate of the vessel who came up with him stated that theman bore an excellent character, and that he was willing to make anycompensation Taalwurt might require. Before the case came on I hadexplained this to the King George's Sound native, who compounded thematter for half-a-crown, and then walked off with his friends, fullyresolved to get assaulted again upon the first good opportunity. 

CHAPTER 18. INFLUENCE OF EUROPEANS ON THE NATIVES. 

CAUSES WHY IT HAS NOT HITHERTO BEEN BENEFICIAL. INFLUENCE OF EUROPEANS ONTHE NATIVES. 

After reviewing the condition of the Aborigines of Australia as itappears to have existed from time immemorial it will not be irrelevant toexamine what change or melioration of their social state is likely toarise from the settlement of a civilised European race among them. 

The colony of Swan River differing materially in the elements of itspopulation from those established in the eastern parts of this continentand in Van Diemen's Land, a corresponding change in the intercourseexisting between the natives and the white population might naturally belooked for. 

In modern times, with the exception of the new settlement of SouthAustralia, no colony has been established upon principles apparently sofavourable for the development of the better qualities of the Aborigines, and with so fair a chance of their ultimate civilization. 

The apparent advantages are that no convicts have been brought to WesternAustralia to corrupt the manners of either sex, or to lead them astray bytheir vicious example; and that a great want of labour has been alwaysfelt, so that any assistance that could have been procured from thenatives would have been a material benefit to the settlers. With theseadvantages we might have hoped to see some important results. 

I wish not to assert that the natives have been often treated with wantoncruelty, but I do not hesitate to say that no real amelioration of theircondition has been effected, and that much of negative evil and indirectinjury has been inflicted on them. 

The first great fault committed was that no distinct rules andregulations were drawn up for the protection of the Aborigines. Theirland is taken from them, and the only benefit given in return is thatthey are made British subjects, that is, having a right to the protectionof British Laws, and at the same time becoming amenable to them. 

WRETCHED STATE OF THE NATIVE POPULATION. 

All past experience has shown that the existence of two different racesin a country, one of which, from any local circumstances, is consideredinferior to the other, is one of the greatest evils under which a nationcan labour; a more striking instance of which could not be adduced thanis shown in the present state of the free coloured population in America. 

In contemplating, then, the future destiny of the Australian races, atthe same time laying aside all thought of their amalgamation withEuropeans, the prospect is most melancholy. Only two cases can arise;either they must disappear before advancing civilization, successivelydying off ere the truths of christianity or the benefits of civilizationhave produced any effect on them, or they must exist in the midst of asuperior numerical population, a despised and inferior race; and none butthose who have visited a country in which such a race exists can dulyappreciate the evils both moral and physical which such a degradedposition entails upon them. 

CAUSES OF THEIR DEPRESSED CONDITION. PREJUDICES AGAINST THEM. 

If we enquire into the causes which tend to retain them in their presentdepressed condition we shall find that the chief one is prejudice. TheAustralians have been most unfairly represented as a very inferior race, in fact as one occupying a scale in the creation which nearly places themon a level with the brutes, and some years must elapse ere a prejudice sofirmly rooted as this can be altogether eradicated, but certainly a moreunfounded one never had possession of the public mind. 

INADEQUACY OF SUPPORT BY LABOUR. 

Amongst the evils which the natives suffer in their present position oneis an uncertain and irregular demand for their labour, that is to say, they may one day have plenty of means for exerting their industryafforded them by the settlers, and the next their services are notrequired; so that they are necessarily compelled to have recourse totheir former irregular and wandering habits. 

Another is the very insufficient reward for the services they render. Asan example of this kind I will state the instance of a man who workedduring the whole season as hard and as well as any white man at gettingin the harvest for some settlers, and who only received bread andsixpence a day whilst the ordinary labourers would earn at least fifteenshillings. In many instances they only receive a scanty allowance offood, so much so that some settlers have told me that the natives leftthem because they had not enough to eat. 

The evil consequence of this is that a native, finding he can gain asmuch by the combined methods of hunting and begging as he can by working, naturally prefers the former and much more attractive mode of procuringsubsistence to the latter one. 

Many of the natives have not only a good idea of the value of money buteven hoard it up for some particular purpose; several of them have shownme their little treasure of a few shillings, and have told me it wastheir 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 thebetter of their thriftiness, and this sum has eventually been spent intreating their friends to bread and rice. 

EVIL EFFECTS FROM THEIR FEROCIOUS CUSTOMS REMAINING UNCHECKED. 

Another evil is the very extraordinary position in which they are placedwith regard to two distinct sets of laws; that is, they are allowed toexercise their own laws upon one another, and are again held amenable toBritish law where British subjects are concerned. Thus no protection isafforded them by the British law against the violence or cruelty of oneof their own race, and the law has hitherto only been known to them asthe means of punishment, but never as a code from which they can claimprotection or benefit. 

The following instances will prove my assertion: In the month of October1838 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; butthere was no interference on their part until eventually the life of thewoman was saved by the courage of Mr. Brown, a gardener in Perth, whorushed in amongst the natives and knocked down the man who was holdingher; she then escaped into the house of the Messrs. Habgood, who treatedthe poor creature with the utmost humanity. She was however wounded inseveral places in the most severe and ghastly manner. 

A letter I received from Mr. A. Bussel (a settler in the southern part ofthe colony) in May 1839 shows that the same scenes are enacted all overit. In this case their cow-keeper (the native whose burial is narratedabove) was speared by the others. He was at the time the hired servant ofEuropeans, performing daily a stated service for them; yet they slew himin open daylight, without any cause of provocation being given by him. 

Again, in October, 1838, the sister of a settler in the northern districttold me that, shortly before this period, she had, as a female servant, amost interesting little native girl, not more than ten or eleven years ofage. This girl had just learned all the duties belonging to heremployment, and was regarded in the family as a most useful servant, whensome natives, from a spirit of revenge, murdered this inoffensive childin the most barbarous manner, close to the house; her screams wereactually heard by the Europeans under whose protection and in whoseservice she was living, but they were not in time to save her life. Thissame native had been guilty of many other barbarous murders, one of whichhe had committed in the district of the Upper Swan, in the actualpresence of Europeans. In June 1839 he was still at large, unmolested, even occasionally visiting Perth. 

CAUSES OF THEIR ATTACHMENT TO THEIR ROVING AND SAVAGE LIFE. 

Their fondness for the bush and the habits of savage life is fixed andperpetuated by the immense boundary placed by circumstances betweenthemselves and the whites, which no exertions on their part can overpass, and they consequently relapse into a state of hopeless passiveindifference. 

I will state a remarkable instance of this: The officers of the Beagletook away with them a native of the name of Miago, who remained absentwith them for several months. I saw him on the north-west coast, on boardthe Beagle, apparently perfectly civilized; he waited at the gun-roommess, was temperate (never tasting spirits) attentive, cheerful, andremarkably clean in his person. The next time I saw him was at SwanRiver, where he had been left on the return of the Beagle. He was thenagain a savage, almost naked, painted all over, and had been concerned inseveral murders. Several persons here told me, "you see the taste for asavage life was strong in him, and he took to the bush again directly. "Let us pause for a moment and consider. 

Miago, when he was landed, had amongst the white people none who would betruly friends of his. They would give him scraps from their table, butthe 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 havebeen either a husband or a father if he had lived apart from his ownpeople; where amongst the whites was he to find one who would have filledfor him the place of his black mother, whom he is much attached to? whatwhite man would have been his brother? what white woman his sister? Hehad two courses left open to him: he could either have renounced allnatural ties and have led a hopeless, joyless life amongst the whites, ever a servant, ever an inferior being; or he could renounce civilizationand return to the friends of his childhood, and to the habits of hisyouth. He chose the latter course, and I think that I should have donethe same. 

SUGGESTIONS ON THE MEANS OF PROMOTING THEIR CIVILIZATION. 

The information I had collected regarding the Aborigines of WesternAustralia encouraged me to address a report to Lord John Russell, theSecretary of State for the Colonies, embracing the general principleswhich I considered would best promote the civilization of the race. Thisreport having been approved, copies of it were sent to the Governors ofthe Australian and New Zealand settlements, and with a transcript of it Ishall now conclude my work:*

(*Footnote. [This letter has subsequently been printed for Parliament atpage 43 of the Sessional Paper Number 311 of 1841, the Colonization ofNew Zealand. ED. ])

Mauritius, June 4 1840. 

MY LORD, I have the honour to submit to your Lordship a report upon the best meansof 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. 

Feeling anxious to render this report as complete as possible I havedelayed transmitting it to your Lordship until the latest possibleperiod; portions of it have in the interim been laid before some of thelocal governments in Australia, and a few of the suggestions contained init have been already acted upon. 

But as so small a portion of Australia is as yet occupied, and theimportant task of so conducting the occupation of new districts as tobenefit the aborigines in the greatest possible degree yet remains to beperformed, I have thought that it would be agreeable to your Lordship tobe put in possession of all such facts relating to this interestingsubject as are at present known. 

None but general principles, equally applicable to all portions of thecontinent of Australia, are embodied in this report; and I amparticularly solicitous that that portion of it which commences at the21st paragraph should receive consideration from your Lordship, as thewhole machinery required to bring this plan into operation now exists inthe different Australian colonies, and its full development would entailno expense whatever upon either the Home or local Governments. 

I have, etc. , (Signed) G. GREY, Captain 83rd Regiment, Commanding Australian Expedition. 

Right Honourable Lord John Russell, etc. Etc. Etc. 

REPORT UPON THE BEST MEANS OF PROMOTING THE CIVILIZATION OF THEABORIGINAL INHABITANTS OF AUSTRALIA. 

1. The aborigines of Australia having hitherto resisted all efforts whichhave been made for their civilization, it would appear that, if they arecapable of being civilized, it can be shown that all the systems on whichthese efforts have been founded contain some common error, or that eachof them involved some erroneous principle; the former supposition appearsto be the true one, for they all contained one common element, they allstarted with one recognized principle, the presence of which in thescheme must necessarily have entailed its failure. 

2. This principle was that, although the natives should, as far asEuropean property and European subjects were concerned, be made amenableto British laws, yet so long as they only exercised their own customsupon themselves, and not too immediately in the presence of Europeans, they should be allowed to do so with impunity. 

3. This principle originated in philanthropic motives and a totalignorance of the peculiar traditional laws of this people, which laws, differing from those of any other known race, have necessarily impartedto the people subject to them a character different from all other races;and hence arises the anomalous state in which they have been found. 

4. They are as apt and intelligent as any other race of men I amacquainted with; they are subject to the same afflictions, appetites, andpassions as other men, yet in many points of character they are totallydissimilar to them; and, from the peculiar code of laws of this people, it would appear not only impossible that any nation subject to them couldever emerge from a savage state, but even that no race, however highlyendowed, however civilized, could in other respects remain long in astate of civilization if they were submitted to the operation of suchbarbarous customs. 

5. The plea generally set up in defence of this principle is that thenatives of this country are a conquered people, and that it is an act ofgenerosity to allow them the full power of exercising their own laws uponthemselves; but this plea would appear to be inadmissible; for, in thefirst place, savage and traditional customs should not be confounded witha regular code of laws; and secondly, when Great Britain insures to aconquered country the privilege of preserving its own laws, all personsresident in this territory become amenable to the same laws, and properpersons are selected by the Government to watch over their due andequitable administration; nothing of this kind either exists or can existwith regard to the customs of the natives of Australia; between these twocases then there is no apparent analogy. 

6. I would submit therefore that it is necessary from the moment theaborigines of this country are declared British subjects, they should, asfar as possible, be taught that the British laws are to supersede theirown, so that any native who is suffering under their own customs may havethe power of an appeal to those of Great Britain; or, to put this in itstrue light, that all authorized persons should, in all instances, berequired to protect a native from the violence of his fellows, eventhough they be in the execution of their own laws. 

7. So long as this is not the case the older natives have at theirdisposal the means of effectually preventing the civilization of anyindividuals of their own tribe, and those among them who may be inclinedto adapt themselves to the European habits and mode of life will bedeterred from so doing by their fear of the consequences that thedispleasure of others may draw down upon them. 

8. So much importance am I disposed to attach to this point that I do nothesitate to assert my full conviction that, whilst those tribes which arein communication with Europeans are allowed to execute their barbarouslaws and customs upon one another, so long will they remain hopelesslyimmersed in their present state of barbarism: and, however unjust such aproceeding might at first sight appear, I believe that the course pointedout by true humanity would be to make them from the very commencementamenable to the British laws, both as regards themselves and Europeans;for I hold it to be imagining a contradiction to suppose that individualssubject to savage and barbarous laws can rise into a state ofcivilization which those laws have a manifest tendency to destroy andoverturn. 

9. I have known many instances of natives who have been almost or quitecivilized being compelled by other natives to return to the bush; moreparticularly girls who have been betrothed in their infancy and who, onapproaching the years of puberty, have been compelled by their husbandsto join them. 

10. It is difficult to ascertain the exact effect the institutions of acountry produce upon the character of its inhabitants; but it may bereadily admitted that, if two savage races of equal mental endowments, and with the same capacity for civilization, were subject to two distinctsets of laws, the one mild and favourable to the development ofcivilization, the other bloodthirsty and opposed to it, the former racemight gradually be brought to a knowledge of Christianity andcivilization, whilst precisely similar efforts made with regard to thelatter might be attended with no beneficial result. 

11. Again, it would be unfair to consider the laws of the natives ofAustralia as any indication of the real character of this people; formany races who were at one period subject to the most barbarous lawshave, since new institutions have been introduced amongst them, takentheir rank among the civilized nations of the earth. 

12. To punish the aborigines severely for the violation of laws of whichthey are ignorant would be manifestly cruel and unjust; but to punishthem in the first instance slightly for the violation of these laws wouldinflict no great injury on them, whilst by always punishing them whenguilty of a crime, without reference to the length of period that hadelapsed between its perpetration and their apprehension, at the same timefully explaining to them the measure of punishment that would await themin the event of a second commission of the same fault, would teach themgradually the laws to which they were henceforth to be amenable, andwould show them that crime was always eventually, although it might beremotely, followed by punishment. 

13. I imagine that this course would be more merciful than that atpresent adopted; namely, to punish them for the violation of a law theyare ignorant of, when this violation affects a European, and yet to allowthem to commit this crime as often as they like when it only regardsthemselves; for this latter course teaches them not that certain actions, such, for instance, as murder, etc. , are generally criminal, but onlythat they are criminal when exercised towards the white people, and theimpression consequently excited in their minds is that these acts onlyexcite our detestation when exercised towards ourselves, and that theircriminality consists not in having committed a certain odious action, butin having violated our prejudices. 

14. In the vicinity of towns where there is a certain judicial force, andwhere, on account of the facility of obtaining food, the natives alwayscongregate, it would, by a steady and determined line of conduct, becomparatively easy to enforce an observance of the British laws; but, even partially to attain this object in the remote and thinly settleddistricts, it is necessary that each colony should possess an efficientmounted police, a portion of whom should be constantly in movement fromdistrict to district, whilst another portion, resident in a centralsituation, should be ready to act instantly in any direction where theirpresence was required. I do not apprehend that this body need benumerous, for their utility would depend more on their activity andefficiency than on their numbers. It is absolutely necessary, for thecause of humanity and good order, that such a force should exist; for solong as distant settlers are left unprotected and are compelled to takecare of and avenge themselves, so long must great barbarities necessarilybe committed; and the only way to prevent great crime on the part of thenatives, and massacres of these poor creatures as the punishment of suchcrimes, is to check and punish their excesses in their infancy: it isonly after becoming emboldened by frequent petty successes that they havehitherto committed those crimes which have drawn down so fearful avengeance upon them. 

15. The greatest obstacle that presents itself in considering theapplication of the British laws to these aborigines is the fact that, from their ignorance of the nature of an oath, or of the obligations itimposes, they are not competent to give evidence before a court ofjustice; and hence in many cases it would be extremely difficult, if notimpossible, to obtain evidence on which a prisoner could be convicted. 

16. One mode of evading this difficulty would be to empower the court toreceive evidence from the natives in all cases relating solely tothemselves without the witness being sworn, only allowing testimony ofthis nature to hold good when borne out by very strong circumstantialevidence; secondly to empower the court always to receive evidence fromnatives called on by a native prisoner in his defence, such evidencebeing subject to the before-named restrictions. 

17. The fact of the natives being unable to give testimony in a court ofjustice is a great hardship on them, and they consider it as such; thereason that occasions their disability for the performance of thisfunction is at present quite beyond their comprehension, and it isimpossible to explain it to them. I have been a personal witness to acase in which a native was most undeservedly punished, from thecircumstance of the natives who were the only persons who could speak asto certain exculpatory facts not being permitted to give their evidence. 

18. There are certain forms in our colonial courts of justice as atpresent conducted which it is impossible to make a savage comprehend. Iattended one quarter-sessions at which a number of natives were tried ona great variety of charges. Several of them were induced to plead guilty, and on this admission of their having committed the crime sentence waspronounced upon them. But when others denied their guilt, and found thatthis denial produced no corresponding result in their favour, whilst atthe same time they were not permitted to bring forward other natives todeny it also, and to explain the matter for them, they became perfectlyconfounded. I was subsequently applied to by several intelligent nativesto explain this mystery to them, but I failed in giving such anexplanation as would satisfy them. 

19. The natives being ignorant of our laws, of the forms of our courts ofjustice, of the language in which the proceedings are conducted, and thesentence pronounced upon them, it would appear that but a very imperfectprotection is afforded them by having present in the court merely aninterpreter (very often an ignorant man) who knows nothing of legalproceedings and can be but very imperfectly acquainted with the nativelanguage: it must also be borne in mind that the natives are not tried bya jury of their peers, but by a jury having interests directly opposed totheir own, and who can scarcely avoid being in some degree prejudicedagainst native offenders. From these considerations I would suggest thatit should be made binding upon the local government in all instances (orat least in such instances as affect life) to provide a counsel to defendnative prisoners. 

20. Some other principal preventives to the civilization of theaborigines, in addition to those I have already stated, are:

1. The existence of an uncertain and irregular demand for their labour:thus they may have one day sufficient opportunity afforded them for theexertion of their industry, whilst the next day their services are notrequired, so that they are compelled once more to have recourse to theirformer irregular and wandering habits. 

2. Their generally receiving a very inadequate reward for the servicesthey render; this, combined with their natural fondness for the bush, induces them to prefer that mode of subsistence which, whilst it isinfinitely more agreeable and less laborious, procures for them nearly asgreat a reward as living with white people. 

3. Their not being taught that different values are attached to differentdegrees of labour, as well as to the skill and neatness with which it isperformed. 

21. These impediments might all either be removed or modified in somedistricts by the establishment of native institutions and schools, but informing a general plan for their removal which would be equallyapplicable to all parts of a colony, a very novel difficulty presentsitself. 

22. Imagining that a native child is perfectly capable of beingcivilised, let it also be granted that, from proper preventive measureshaving been adopted, this child has nothing to fear from the vengeance ofthe other natives, so that it stands in these respects nearly oraltogether in the position of a European. 

23. If this native child is a boy who is to pay the individual whoundertakes to teach him some calling the fee usually given with anapprentice; who will indemnify this person for the time he spends ininstructing the boy before he can derive any benefit from his labour, orfor the risk he incurs of the boy's services being bestowed elsewhere assoon as they are worth having?

24. Until this difficulty is got over it appears evident that the nativeswill only be employed in herding cattle, or in the lowest order of manuallabour which requires no skill, and for which the reward they receivewill be so small as scarcely to offer an inducement to them to quit theirpresent wandering mode of life. 

25. The remedy I would suggest for this evil would have another advantagebesides a tendency to ameliorate it, for it would give the settlers agreat and direct interest in the aborigines without entailing any expenseupon the Government. It is founded on the following fact:

26. The Government, in order to create a supply of labour in thecolonies, have been in the habit of giving certain rewards to thoseindividuals who introduced labourers into them. Now it would appear thathe who reclaims one of the aborigines not only adds another labourer tothose who are already in the colony, but further confers such a benefiton his fellow-settlers by rendering one who was before a useless anddangerous being a serviceable member of the community, that thiscircumstance alone entitles him to a reward. 

27. I would therefore propose that, on the production of thehereafter-named documents, a settler should receive a certificateentitling him to a certain sum, which should either be allowed to reckontowards the completion of location duties, or else as a remissioncertificate in the purchase of land, or, in lieu of this, a grant ofland; and that this sum or grant should be regulated according to a tablespecifying the various circumstances that are likely to occur, and drawnup by the local government of each place where such regulation should beintroduced. 

28. The documents to which I allude are these:

1. A deposition before the nearest magistrate to such settler's housethat a native or natives have been resident with him constantly for thelast six months, and have been employed in stated species of labour. 

2. A certificate from the government resident of the district that, tothe best of his belief, such statement is true, for that, on his visitingthis settler's house, the stated number of natives were there, and wererespectively occupied in the kinds of labour described. 

3. A certificate from the protector of aborigines that he has visitedthis settler's house; that the stated number of natives were residentthere, and appeared to be progressing in the knowledge of that branch ofindustry in which they were respectively stated to be employed. 

29. It would be further necessary that any settler who intended toendeavour to reclaim natives should give a short notice to the protectorof aborigines previously to the commencement of the first six months. 

30. Could this plan be brought into operation the work of thecivilization of the aborigines would at once be commenced upon a greatscale; it would not be confined to a single institution, but a variety ofindividuals, endowed with different talents and capacities for this work, would at once be employed on it: it is indeed rather suited and intendedfor the outskirts of civilization, thinly populated by settlers, than fortowns, yet it is applicable to both situations; whilst its directoperation would be to induce the settler adequately to remunerate thenative 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 foras long a period as possible to his establishment. 

31. In considering the kinds of labour in which it would be mostadvisable to engage natives it should be borne in mind that, in remotedistricts where the European population is small, it would be imprudentto induce many natives to congregate at any one point, and the kinds oflabour in which they should be there engaged ought to be of such a natureas to have a tendency to scatter them over the country, and to distributethem amongst the separate establishments. 

32. Whilst in the well-peopled districts, where a force sufficient bothto protect and control the aborigines exists, they should be induced toassemble in great numbers, for they work much more readily when employedin masses, and, by thus assembling them on one point, their numbers arediminished in those portions of the colony which have a small Europeanpopulation, and they are concentrated at a spot where proper means fortheir improvement can be provided. 

33. The first of these principles has been strictly attended to in theplan proposed in the 27th and following paragraphs of this report; thesecond has been carried into successful operation in Western Australia. 

34. In order that the work on which the natives are employed in thevicinity of towns should be of the most advantageous nature it isnecessary that it should be productive of benefit both to themselves andthe Government which employs them, so that it cannot be complained of asa useless expense, whilst at the same time it should be of such a kind asto accord with that love of excitement and change which is so peculiar tothis people. 

35. Both of these ends would be attained by employing the aborigineseither in opening new roads or in repairing old lines of communication;indeed this mode of employment is singularly suited to the habits of thispeople; they might be kept constantly moving from post to post, thusvarying the scene of their operations; one portion of the party might beemployed in hunting with kangaroo-dogs, or fishing, in order to supplythe others with fresh meat; and the species of labour in which the mainbody were engaged might, if they wished it, be changed once or twice inthe course of the day to prevent their being wearied by the monotonouscharacter of their employment. 

CONCLUSION. 

36. Among other enactments which I believe would have a tendency topromote the civilization of the aborigines, and which are applicable tothose districts in which for some time a great intercourse has existedbetween the natives and Europeans, are the following:

37. That any native who could produce a certificate (from the protectorof aborigines) of having been constantly employed at the house of anysettler or settlers, for a period of not less than three years, should beentitled to a grant of land, the extent of which should be fixed by thelocal government of the colony to which such native should belong, andthat, if possible, this grant should be given in that district to whichthis native by birth belonged. 

That, in addition to this grant, he should receive a sum of money, theamount of which should also be fixed by the local government, and whichshould be drawn from the fund raised by the sale of Government lands, andwhich sum should be expended in goats, poultry, etc. , so as to enable thenative in some manner to stock his land. 

That any native, having only one wife, who produced a certificate of thecivil marriage contract having been performed between himself and her, bythe resident of the district to which he belonged, should be entitled toa small reward. 

That any natives who registered duly the birth of any of their childrenshould be entitled to a small reward. 

That some competent person should be paid to instruct two native boys insuch 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 forthis purpose. 

I believe that many other regulations, similar to these, would be foundto produce a very beneficial effect. 

. .. 

APPENDIX. 

APPENDIX A. 

GENEALOGICAL LIST TO SHOW THE MANNER IN WHICH A NATIVE FAMILY BECOMESDIVIDED. 

Nar-doo-itch or Mo-rel-li, a Ballar-oke, born about A. D. 1735, had two wives, Kan-dow-ree, a Ngotak, and

Bol-ye-ree, a No-go-nyuk. 

Kan-dow-ree, had the following children:

Yin-dee-ree, female. Wun-ya-ree, female. Kag-a-ree, female. Yung-al, male. Wal-luk-wur, male. 

These were all Ngotaks. 

Three of these children, Yin-dee-ree, Wun-ya-ree, and Kag-a-ree, were byNar-doo-itch's brother, her former husband. 

Bol-ye-ree's children were:

Kow-en-ung, female. No-gong-o, male. Jee-bar, male. Koon-a-ber-ra, male. Ko-teyne, male. By-er-man, male. 

These were all No-go-nyuks. 

Kim-be-yen-ung, a Tdon-dar-up, married, amongst other wives, Noo-yar, aBallar-oke. 

Noo-yar's children were:

Yow-at-ung, female. *Kad-jen-ung, female. Ban-in-yung, female. Now-ween-gool, female. 

These were all Ballar-okes. 

(*Footnote. Married to Yungal, a son of Nar-doo-itch. )

. .. 

In order to show the way in which the different families marry into oneanother I will now trace up the descendants of some of the male childrenof Nar-doo-itch by each of his wives. 

Yung-al, the son of Nar-doo-itch, called also

Be-ra-gore, married:

Ming-an, a Ballar-oke, Ko-pan, a Nagar-nook, Yow-at-ung, a Ballar-oke, daughter of Kim-be-yen-ung. 

Ming-an's children were:

Book-oop, female. Yu-yat, male. Me-kat, female. Tdan-up, female. 

These were all Ballar-okes. 

Ko-pan's children were:

E-lar, male. Wat-up, male. Bil-yan, male. Mong-a-na, female. Wun-daile, female. 

These were all Na-gar-nooks. 

Yow-at-ung's children were:

Im-bat, male. Jil-gar, male. Gi-mat, male. Dubin, female. Boo-yin female. 

These were all Ballar-okes. 

Jee-bar, a No-go-nyuk, another son of Nar-doo-itch, married:

Kag-a-ree, a Ngotak. Bar-ri-kan, a Tdondarup. 

Kag-a-ree's children were:

Mun-gal-wurt, male. Ell-yar, male. Wun-jan-ing, female. War-ran-ung, female. Bee-wul-lo, male. 

Ngotaks. 

Bar-ri-kan's children were:

Djar-a-bung, female. Nag-a-bung, female. Yu-gat, male. Ka-ral-ung, male. 

Tdondarups. 

Bee-wul-lo, a Ngotak, the son of Jee-bar, married:

Wun-daile, a Na-gar-nook, Noon-dup, a No-go-nyuk, Du-bin, a Ballar-oke, Ek-kan, a Ballar-oke, Ming-up, a Ballar-oke, We-jee-bung, a Ballar-oke. 

Wun-daile's children were:

Yen-na, male. War-rup, male. Tu-yin, male. Dow-eer, male. Wil-gup, female. Ka-bin-yung, female. Bate-up, female. 

Na-gar-nooks. 

Noon-dup's children were:

Mee-nung, male. Kow-elwurt, male. Ngar-ra-jil, male. Kau-mar, male. Koot-in, male. Il-gat, male. 

No-go-nyuks. 

Du-bin had but one child:

Waj-jup, female, a Ballar-oke. 

Ek-kan's children are:

Wy-up, male. Kok-o-bung, female. Wee-muk, female. 

Ballar-okes. 

Ming-up has but one child living:

Win-bill, male, a Ballar-oke. 

. .. 

APPENDIX B. 

MOUNT FAIRFAX, THE WIZARD HILLS, AND CHAMPION BAY. 

(From the Nautical Magazine for July 1841 page 443. )

The only part of the West coast (to the northward of Swan River) that hasbeen visited by the Beagle is that part immediately to the eastward ofthe Abrolhos, and it is remarkable from being under the high tableland ofMoresby's Flat-topped Range, which is a considerable elevation, and inclear weather is visible from a ship's mast-head at the Abrolhos. 

This range of hills extends north-north-west six miles from MountFairfax, which, although a detached hill, may be considered its southernextreme. Mount Fairfax is a table-topped hill, the summit of which is anelevated part at its southern edge, and is 590 feet high. It is inlatitude 28 degrees 45 1/4 minutes, and longitude 1 degree 3 3/4 minuteswest of Swan River, and 4 miles from the coast. To the south-east ofMoresby'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 37seconds 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 someremarkable detached ranges of tableland, from 500 to 600 feet high, atthe northern extreme of which are the Menai Hills. Some of them show aspeaks, but appear only to be the gable ends, as it were, of table-toppedridges. 

In latitude 28 degrees 47 minutes south there is a narrow neck of lowland projecting about 1 3/4 miles from the coastline, to the northward ofwhich there is good anchorage in Champion Bay. 

Point Moore, which is the extreme of this low projection, bears west 13degrees south (magnetic) from Mount Fairfax, and west 17 degrees north(magnetic) from Wizard Peak. The anchorage is protected from the westwardby a reef that extends upwards of a mile to the northward from PointMoore: but half a mile to the northward of the reef is a detached shoalpatch which breaks occasionally, between which and the reef there is apassage through which the Beagle passed, and had not less than sixfathoms. But perhaps it would be advisable in standing into the bay topass to the northward of this danger, which may be done by not bringingMount Fairfax to bear to the southward of east 1/4 south (magnetic) untilPoint Moore bears south. 

This bay is open to the northward, but, as the winds from that quarterare not frequent, and then only in the winter season, it may beconsidered 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 betaken three-quarters of a mile off shore in four fathoms sandy bottom, with Point Moore bearing south 50 degrees west and a remarkable barebrown sandhill in the south-east part of the bay, bearing south 31degrees east. Mount Fairfax will then bear north 87 minutes east, and thenorth extreme of the reef from Point Moore north 50 minutes west. WizardPeak is not seen from this anchorage. 

South of Point Moore is another bay formed by a continuation of the samereef that shelters Champion Bay from the westward; but it is quiteexposed to the prevailing winds. From Champion Bay the coast to thenorthward is sandy, and fronted by sandhills slightly covered withshrubs. This description of coast continues for nearly twenty miles. Inlatitude 28 degrees 25 minutes is a remarkable white sand-patch 274 feetabove the sea, between two and three miles south of which is a deepravine where there is probably a stream of fresh water. Here the shorebecomes steeper, and rises abruptly from the sea, forming downs about 300feet high. Native fires were seen in this neighbourhood, and the countryhad a more fertile appearance than in the vicinity of Champion Bay. Thispart of the coast is bold too, and is free from outlaying dangers, thedepth of water from two to three miles off shore being taken between 16and 29 fathoms. High-water at Champion Bay takes place on change days at9 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 currentalong the coast to the north-north-west from half a mile to one mile anhour. 

Champion Bay appears to be the only anchorage on the coast between SwanRiver and Shark Bay: it is preferable to Gage's Road, and may at no verydistant period become of importance to Western Australia in consequenceof a considerable tract of fine country having lately been discoveredimmediately to the eastward of Moresby's Flat-topped Range. 

. .. 

APPENDIX C. 

CONTRIBUTIONS TOWARDS THE GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION OF THE MAMMALIA OFAUSTRALIA, WITH NOTES ON SOME RECENTLY DISCOVERED SPECIES, BY J. E. GRAY, F. R. S. , ETC. ETC. , IN A LETTER ADDRESSED TO THE AUTHOR. 

British Museum, 10th July 1841. 

MY DEAR SIR, The very little attention which has hitherto been paid to thedistribution of the animals of Australia, and the very incorrect mannerin which the habitats of the different species are given in collectionsand systematic works, have induced me to send you, with the descriptionof the new species recently brought from that country, a table showing atone view the distribution of the different species which have hithertobeen recorded as found in Australia, as far as the materials at mydisposal will allow me. 

I am the more induced to do so as I believe I have now under my care therichest collection of the animals of this country in any Museum; as, besides the specimens which we have been collecting from differentquarters, with the kind assistance of Mr. Ronald Gunn, Mr. Harvey, andyourself, we have just purchased a complete series of all the species andvarieties brought by Mr. Gould from different parts of this Continent;and these specimens were all marked with the habitat immediately afterthey were procured. 

The first column in the following table indicates the species found inNew South Wales, and the east part of the Continent; the number in thecolumn specifying the particular habitats where the species has beenobserved, 1. Sydney, and its neighbourhood. 2. The Rivers Hunter and Maitland, and Goulburn Plains. 3. Liverpool Plains. 4. Liverpool Range. 5. The Namoi and Mokai Rivers. 6. Bong-Bong. 7. Yarrundi. 8. Interior (generally). 9. Australian Alps. 10. Murrumbidgee River. 11. Moreton Bay. 12. Clarence River. 13. Port Phillip. 14. Bathurst. 15. Interior of Australia Felix. 16. Murray River. 17. Bayunga River. 18. Darling River. 19. Glenelg River. 20. Port Stevens Mountains. 21. Port Macquarie. 

The second column refers to South Australia, and the numbers in it to:

1. Adelaide and its vicinity. 2. Kangaroo Island. 3. The South Coast. 4. Port Lincoln. 5. Murray River. 

The third column refers to Western Australia, as:

1. Perth. 2. King George's Sound. 3. Northam. 4. Canning River. 5. Rottnest and Garden Islands. 

The fourth column refers to the North-west Coast of Australia:

1. Hanover Bay. 2. Islands in Shark Bay. 3. Dirk Hatterick's Bay. 4. Generally, the peculiar locality not being marked. 

The fifth column to the North Coast:

1. Port Essington. 

The sixth column to the Island of Van Diemen's Land, the numbers to:

1. Hobart Town. 2. Circular Head. 3. Bass Strait and King's Island. 4. New Norfolk. 5. Kangaroo Point. 6. Tasman's Peninsula. 7. Launceston. 8. Acteon Island. 9. Mount Wellington. 

The seventh column to Norfolk Island, marked Number 1. 

PRIMATES. Family Vespertilionidae. 

1. Rhinolophus megaphyllus Gray. 1:10. 

2. Nyctophilus geoffroyii Leach ? 1:1 1:7 3:1 6:1. Barbastellus pacificus Gray. Nyctinomus ---- ? Bennett. Var. Major 3:1. 

Scotophilus. 

* Wings and interfemoral membranes with lines of hairs. 

3. Scotophilus morio, new species. 

4. S. Gouldii, new species. 1:2 6:7. 

5. S. Australis, new species. 1:1 1:4 2:1 3:4 6:1. 

** Wings nearly bald. 

6. S. Pumilus, new species. 1:7. 

7. Molossus australis 5:1. 

8. Pteropus poliocephalus Temm. 1:11 1:12. Pt. Edwardsii G. Bennett not Desm. 

FERAE. Family Felidae. 

9. Canis familiaris australasiae. 1:1 2:1 ?Canis Dingo Blumenb. Family Phocidae. 

10. Otaria peronii. 1:1 ?

Family Didelphidae. 

11. Thylacinus cynocephalus Fischer 6:2. Didelphis cynocephalus Harris. 

12. Diabolus ursinus 6:1 6:2. Didelphis ursina Harris. Sarcophilus ursinus F. Cuv. 

Dasyurus. 

* Thumb small, clawless. 

13. D. Maculatus 6:1 6:2. Viverra maculata Shaw. Dasyurus macrurus Geoff. 

14. D. Geoffroyii Gould 1:3. 

** Thumb none. 

15. Dasyurus viverrinus Geoff. 1:1 1:2 1:3 6:1 6:2. Didelphis viverrina Shaw. 1:6. Var. Das. Maugei Geoff. 

Phascogale Temm. 

* Tail end tufted. 

16. Ph. Penicillata Temm. 1:2 1:11 2:1. Didelphis penicillata Shaw 1:3. Dasyurus tafa Geoff. 

** Tail conical, end pencilled. 

17. Ph. Minima Temm. 6:3. Dasyurus minimus Geoff. Ph. Swainsonii Waterh. 

18. Ph. Affinis, new species. 6:6. 

19. Ph. Rufogaster, new species. 2:1. 

20. Ph. Flavipes Waterh. 1:2 1:3. 

21. Ph. Murina Waterh. 1:2 3:4. 

22. Ph. Leucogaster, new species 3:1. 

23. Myrmecobius fasciatus Waterh. 3:1. 

24. ---- ---- ? rufus Mitchell. Red shrew mouse G. Bennett 1:8 ?

Perameles. 

a Tail tapering. * Rump banded. 

25. Per. Gunnii Gray 6:1. 

26. Per. Fasciata new species 1:3 2:1. 

** Hair grizzled, ears acute, long. 

27. Per. Nasuta Geoff. 1:1. P. Aurita Mus Par. P. Bougainvillii Quoy. 

*** Hair grizzled, ears rounded. 3:2. 

28. Per. Fusciventer, new species. 

29. Per. Obesula Geoff. 1:1 ? 3:1 6:4 6:5. Didelphis obesula Shaw. 

b. Hair soft, tail end tufted, ears very long, Paragalia. 

30. Per. Lagotis Reid 3:3. 

31. Choeropus ecaudatus Ogilby 1:16. Perameles ecaudatus Ogilby. 

32. Phalangista vulpina Desm. 1:7 1:4 2:2 3:2 3:3 5:1 6:1. Didelphis vulpina Shaw 1:5 1:10. Didelphis lemurina Shaw 1:11. Didelphis peregrina Bodd. Var. 1. 3:1. Var. 2. 1:5. 

33. Phal. Fuliginosa Ogilby 6:2. Var. Grisea. 

34. Phal. Xanthopus Ogilby 1:19. 

35. Phal. Canina Ogilby 1:2. 

36. Phal. Cuvieri Gray 1:8 ?Ph. Cookii Cuvier. Petaurus cookii F. Cuv. 

37. Dromicia nana 6:1. Phalangista nana Geoff. Phal. Gliriformis Bell. 

38. Hepoona cookii 1:1 1:3 1:4 3:1 3:2 6:1. Phalangista cookii Gray 1:7. Phalangista banksii Gray. Balantia cookii Kuhl. Phalangista viverrina Ogilby. 

39. Petaurista taguanoides Desm. 1:1 1:21. 

40. Petaurista leucogaster 1:16. Petaurus leucogaster Mitchell. 

41. Petaurus macrurus Geoff. 1:8 1:14. Didelphis macrura Shaw. 

42. Petaurus flaviventer Desm. 1:3. 

43. Petaurus breviceps 1:8. Belideus breviceps Waterh. 

44. Petaurus sciureus Desm. 1:1 1:2 7:1. Didelphis sciurea Shaw. 1:3 1:13. 

45. Petaurus peronii Desm. ? 1:2. 

46. Acrobates pygmaeus Desm. 1:8. Didelphis pygmaea Shaw. 

Macropus. 

* Tail end simple; fur one-coloured. 

47. Mac. Major Shaw. 1:1 1:4 2:1 6:1 6:9. Macropus giganteus Shaw. 1:8 1:15. Halmaturus labiatus Geoff. Halmaturus rufogriseus Lesson ?Var. Macropus albus Gray. 

48. Mac. Laniger Lesson 1:5 1:10 2:15. Kangurus rufus Lesson 1:21 1:19. 

49. Mac. Fuliginosus Lesson 2:2. 

** Tail end simple, back coloured. 

50. Mac. Lunatus Gould 3:1. 

*** Tail end clawed. (Onychogalea. )

51. Mac. Frenatus Gould 1:3 1:8. 

52. Mac. Unguifer Gould 4:1. Halmaturus. 

* Tail long, end slightly tufted. 

53. Hal. Parryii Gray 1:20. Macropus parryii Bennett 1:3. Var. Pallida Gray. 

54. Hal. Manicatus Gould 3:1. Hal. Irma Jourdan. ** Tail simple, back one-coloured. 

55. Hal. Bennettii Waterh. 4:1. Hal. Ualabatus Gray 4:2 4:3. Halm. Fruticus Ogilby 4:5 4:7. 

56. Hal. Ualabatus Lesson 1:2. Halm. Lessonii Gray. 

57. Hal. Elegans 1:6 1:15. Mac. Elegans Lambert. Hal. Ruficollis Lesson, Gould. 

58. Hal. Billardieri Lesson 6:1 6:2. Hal. Tasmanii Gray 6:3 6:7. Hal. Rufiventer Ogilby. 

59. Hal. Eugenii Gray 1:1 1:2 2:1 ?Hal. Thetis Lesson. Kangurus eugenii Desm. 

60. Hal. Brachyurus Quoy 3:2. Hal. Thylogale brevicaudatus Gray

*** Tail simple, back streaked. 

61. Hal. Dorsalis Gray 1:8 1:5 1:17 1:3. 

62. Hal. Parma Gould 1:1. 

63. Hal. Derbianus Gray 2:2. Var. Obscurior 3:5. 

64. Hal. ? banksianus Lesson 1:1 ?

65. Hal. Fasciatus Goldf. 4:2. Kangurus fasciatus Lesson. 

Petrogale. 

* Tail conical, slightly tufted. 

66. P. Robusta Gould 1:4 1:8. 

** Tail end tufted. 

67. P. Brachyotis Gould 4:1. 

68. P. Penicillata Gray 1:3 1:21. Heteropus albogularis Jourdan. 

69. P. Lateralis Gould 3:1. 

70. Hypsiprymnus minor Cuv. 1:1 6:1. Macropus minor Shaw. Hyps. Myosurus Ogilby. 

71. Hyps. ? lesueurii Quoy 4:3. 

72. Hyps. Gilbertii Gould 3:2. 

73. Lagorchestes leporoides Gould 1:3 1:5. 

Bettongia Gray. 

* Tail end blackish. 

74. Bett. Setosa Gray 1:3 1:5. Hypsiprymnus setosus Ogilby. Hyp. Murinus Ogilby. Var. Bett. Penicillata Gray. 

75. Bett. Ogilbii Gould 3:1. 

** Tail end brown, white tipped. 

76. Bett. Whitei Gould 1:1. Hypsiprymnus whitei Quoy. H. Formosus Ogilby. Hyp. Phillipii Ogilby. 

77. Bett. Grayii 2:4. Hyp. Grayii Gould. 

*** Tail grey, ears black. 

78. B. Rufescens Gray 1:1. Bett. Melanotis Ogilby. 

79. Phascolarctos fuscus Desm. 1:1 1:8. Ph. Cinereus Fischer. Lipurus cinereus Goldf. 

80. Phascolomys ursinus 1:8 2:1 6:1 6:2. Didelphis ursina Shaw 1:15 6:3. Wombatus fossor Geoff. Phasc. Fuscus Desm. Amblotis fossor Illiger. 

Order GLIRES. Family Muridae. 

81. Hydromys chrysogaster Geoff. 1:3 1:11 3:1 6:1 6:2 6:8. Hyd. Leucogaster Geoff. 

82. Pseudomys australis Gray 1:3. 

83. Mus setifer Horsf. 6:1. 

84. Mus lutreola new species 1:2 2:1 6:5 6:3. 

85. Mus greyii new species 2:1. 

86. Mus adelaidensis new species 2:1. 

87. Mus ? platurus Mitchell 1:18. 

88. Mus ? hovellii Mitchell 1:17. 

89. Hapalotis albipes Licht. 1:3 1:9 ?Conilurus destructor Ogilby 1:18. 

90. Hapalotis mitchellii 1:16. Dipus mitchellii Ogilby. 

91. Hapalotis gouldii new species 3:1. 

Order UNGULATA. Family Dasypidae. 

92. Echidna aculeata 1:4 1:8. Myrmecophaga aculeata Shaw. Tachyglossus aculeatus Illiger. Echidna hystrix Cuv. 

93. Echidna setosa 6:1 6:2. Ornithorhynchus hystryx var. Home. Tachyglossus setosus Illiger. 

94. Platypus anatinus Shaw 1:1 6:4. Ornithorhynchus paradoxus Blum. Orn. Rufus and O. Fuscus Leach. O. Crispus and elvis Macgillivray. O. Brevirostris Ogilby. 

Order CETAE. 

95. Delphinorhynchus pernetttensis 5:1. 

96. Balaena physalis 4:1. 

Total of species found in each country 1:60 2:18 3:20 4:6 5:3 6:22 7:1. 

Total of species peculiar to each country 1:45 2:6 3:12 4:6 5:2 6:11 7:0. 

Of these species there are:

Non-Marsupial:

Primates 8. 

Ferae 2. 

Cetae 2. 

Glires 11. 

Total 23

Marsupial (Didelphidae) 71. 

Monotrematous 3. 

Total 97. 

This list shows the progress which has taken place in the knowledge ofthe Australian animals; for only a few years ago it was generally statedthat the Australian dog was the only non-Marsupial animal found on thecontinent. 

The following species appear to be new to science. 

Number 1. Rhinolophus megaphyllus, Gray Proceedings of the ZoologicalSociety 1834 52. 

Brown, end of the hairs of the back with small, and on the lower side ofthe 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; tail11-12; fore-legs, 9-12; ears, 7-12. 

Number 2. Scotophilus morio, Gray. 

Back uniform, brownish black, scarcely paler beneath; cheeks nearlyblack; 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. 

Number 4. Scotophilus gouldii, Gray. 

Blackish, hinder half of the back brownish; sides and abdomen brownishash; ears rather large, broad; tragus half ovate; underside of the wingsand interfemoral membrane with lines of hairs. 

Var. 1. Hinder part of the back greyish; sides of the abdomen grey. Inhabits Australasia, Mr. Gould. 

Number 5. Scotophilus australis, Gray. 

Back blackish; tips of the hairs rather browner; beneath rather paler onthe sides of the abdomen; ears small; tragus oval lanceolate, rathercrescent-shaped; wings, with sixteen or eighteen oblique cross lines ofhairs 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-armbone, 1 7-12; shin bone, 17-24. 

Number 6. Scotophilus pumilus, Gray. 

Grey brown, base of the fur blackish, beneath paler; cheeks blackish;ears small, rather thin, longer than the fur; tragus elongate, half aslong as the ears, rounded at the end; wings nearly bald, except near thearm-pit; interfemoral membrane hairy at the base; heel-bone elongate, two-thirds the length of the margin of the interfemoral membrane. Headand body, 1 2-12; tail 11-12; fore-arm bone, 1 2-12. 

This species, Mr. Gould notes, flies quick and low over water. 

Number 7. Molossus australis. See Gray, Magazine of Zoology and Botanyvolume 2 501. 

Number 15. Dasyurus viverrinus. 

Mr. Gould has observed that the black and yellowish varieties aresometimes found together in the same litter. There is an intermediatevariety, blackish, with olive tips to the hairs. Dr. Shaw's specific nameshould be retained. 

Number 18. Phascogale affinis, Gray. 

Above brown, grizelled with yellowish-brown tips to the hairs; beneathgrey brown; under fur lead colour; tail short. Male darker; length ofbody and head 6 1/2; tail 4 1/2. Female, length of the body and head 41/2; tail 2 3/4 inches. Inhabits Tasman's Peninsula, Mr. Gould. 

This may be the same as P. Minima of Geoffroy, but the tail is longer forits size. 

Number 19. Phascogale rufogaster, Gray. 

Head grey; back and sides brown, with longer black hairs; sides of thebelly and feet bright rufous; lips and chin whitish; under fur leadcolour; tail end blackish-brown, slightly pencilled. Body and head, 4;tail, 2 inches. Inhabits South Australia, Mr. Gould. 

Number 22. Phascogale leucogaster, Gray. 

Head and shoulders grey, behind rather browner, with scattered longerblack-tipped hairs; chin and beneath pure white; feet brownish grey. Bodyand head, 4; tail, 2 1/2 inches. 

Inhabits Western Australia, banks of the Canning River, April 1839, Mr. Gould. 

More specimens and further observations may prove these to be only localvarieties of one species; but the specimens we have from the samelocalities are similar in character, which is not the case with thedifferent specimens of Hepoona. 

Number 26. Perameles fasciata, Gray. 

Grey brown, rump with three black bands; tail white, with a black streakalong the upper side. Inhabits Liverpool Plains and South Australia;smaller than P. Gunnii. 

Number 28. Perameles fusciventer, Gray. 

Brown, yellow grizelled; tail above blackish, beneath grey; head short, conical; belly grey brown, with broad rufous channelled hairs. Thisspecies is like P. Obesula in colour, but the head is shorter, and thebelly of that species is white, with white bristles. 

Number 37. Dromicia nana. 

The dentition and the peculiar form and character of the tail of thisspecies at once point out that it should constitute a distinct genus fromthe other Phalangers, from which it differs in many of its habits. 

Number 38. Hepoona cookii. 

Specimens from the same locality differ from one another in the extent ofthe white on the tail, in the darkness of the colour of the fur, and inthe limbs and sides of the body being of the colour of the back, or moreor less rufous. There are either five or six species, or only one. 

Number 39. 

I have retained the name of Petaurista for the flying Phalangers withhairy ears, as Dr. Shaw's Didelphis petaurus is evidently the same as P. Flaviventer, and has naked ears, like the other species, and his namePetaurus should be used rather than Mr. Waterhouse's Belideus for thisgenus. 

Number 40. 

Petaurista leucogaster, may only be a variety of P. Taguanoides. 

Number 42. Petaurus macrourus. 

This species is only known from the figures of Dr. Shaw. They have aspecimen of a young Petaurista taguanoides, under this name, in the ParisMuseum. 

Number 43. Petaurus breviceps. 

This is probably the species called P. Peronii in Mr. G. Bennett'scatalogue of the Australian Museum. It may also be M. Desmarest's; ifthis is so, the latter name will have to be adopted, and the one firstused erased from the list. 

Number 47. 

The Macropi with hairy muffles are found in grassy places, while theHalmaturi are confined to the scrubs; and the Petrogalae, orRock-Kangaroos, to the rocky districts; the latter, like Bettongia, sitwith their tail between the legs. Mr. Gould informs me the animals of thelatter genus also use their tails for the purpose of carrying the grassto their nests. The tree Kangaroos of New Guinea have a tail somewhatlike a squirrel. These differences of habit show the propriety ofdividing this group of animals into genera. 

Number 48. Macropus laniger. 

This name must be rejected as the animal is not wool-bearing. The skin inthe Paris Museum is made up with the skin of a sheep. M. Desmarest'sdescription of the female M. Rufogriseus in the New Dictionary, verynearly agrees with this species, but Mr. Gould is inclined to considerthe specimen he was shown for that species in the Paris Museum was M. Major. 

Number 57. Halmaturus elegans. 

The description of Mr. Lambert is so short that it has hitherto beenconsidered impossible to determine it with accuracy; but on comparing thecoloured plate which is bound up with Sir Joseph Banks' copy of thevolume of the Transactions containing the paper, now in the MuseumLibrary, with the specimens of kangaroos in the Museum collection, I havevery little doubt of its being intended for one which Mr. Gould considersas identical with M. Ruficollis of M. Desmarest. M. Desmarest's animal issaid to come from King's Island, in Bass Strait, while Mr. Gould'sanimal, like the one Mr. Lambert described, is from New South Wales. Mr. Gunn remarks that H. Billardieri is common in the locality indicated byM. Desmarest. 

Number 67. Petrogale brachyotis. 

This species was discovered by Captain G. Grey, in his expedition, andthe specimens he collected he gave to Mr. Gould, who described them, andis now about to figure them in his forthcoming monograph of the speciesof kangaroos: a work which will be as far superior to any other publishedon Mammalia in beauty of design and accuracy in the execution of theplates as his work on Birds has been to any that has hitherto appearedeither in England or on the Continent. The specimens are now in thecollection of the British Museum. 

Number 84. Mus lutreola. 

Back black and yellowish grizelled, with longer black hairs; sidesyellowish grey, beneath grey lead colour, under fur lead colour; earswith scattered short adpressed hairs; whiskers black; front teeth yellow;tail with short black adpressed bristles; length of body and head 7, tail4, hind-feet 1 1-4 inches. The water-rat of the South AustralianColonist. Inhabits South Australia, River Torrens, Bass Strait, New SouthWales; Musquito Islands and Macdonald's River, Van Diemen's Land, Tasman's Peninsula. J. Gould, Esquire. 

Number 85. Mus greyii, Gray. 

Fur brown, with close long slender pale-tipped black hairs; sidesyellowish-brown; throat and beneath yellowish; feet whiteish; ears nearlynaked, with close-pressed short greyish hairs; tail with close-pressedbrown hairs. Variety; belly rather more greyish-white. Inhabits SouthAustralia, June. Length, body and head 6, tail 4 3/4, hind-feet 1 1/12 ofan inch. 

Number 86. Mus adelaidensis. 

Fur soft, brown, with scattered rather longer black tipped hairs, beneathpale grey brown; the under fur lead coloured; whiskers black; earsmoderate, 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. 

In examining the Geographical distribution of the Genera, as exhibited inthe foregoing table, as far as our present knowledge of these animalsextends we may state that the genera Choeropus, Acrobates, Petaurista, Lagorchestes, Phascolarctos, Hapalotis, and Pseudomys, are peculiar toNew South Wales. The genus Petaurus is also found in New South Wales, butnot in the Island of Van Diemen's Land and the rest of the continent, butone of the species living there is also said to be an inhabitant ofNorfolk Island, where it may probably have been introduced. 

The species of the genera Petrogale and Bettongia are common to New SouthWales, South Australia, and the North-west Coast; but they are not foundin Van Diemen's Land, and the genus Myrmecobius appears to be peculiar toWestern Australia, for it is not by any means certain that the redshrew-mouse discovered in Australia Felix by Sir T. Mitchell belongs tothis genus. 

The Genera Thylacinus, Diabolus, and Dromicia, are peculiar to VanDiemen's Land. 

The species of the genera Dasyurus and Perameles are very abundant in VanDiemen's Land, but they have also representatives which are found in NewHolland. 

The species of the genera Nyctophilus, Phalangista, Hepoona, Phascogale, Macropus, Halmaturus, Hypsiprymnus, and Hydromys, appear to be common toall parts of the continent, and also to Van Diemen's Land. 

The genera Echidna and Ornithorhynchus are found in New Holland and VanDiemen's Land, but I have not heard of their having been discovered inthe Western or Southern parts of the continent of Australia. 

There are some of the genera of the non-Marsupial animals, as Rhinolophusand Pteropus, which are common to various parts of Australia and thedifferent parts of the Old World, and others, as Canis, Mus, Scotophilus, and Molossus, which are common to it and to both Hemispheres. TwoMarsupial genera, Halmaturus and Perameles, have species found in NewGuinea, but most probably, when they have been more carefully examined, they will be found to form a peculiar genus, allied to the Australiananimals, as is the case with the tree-kangaroos (Dendrolegus) and thePhalangers (Cuscus) of that country. We have a specimen of the Halmaturusin the British Museum, from the Leyden collection, but like many of thespecimens in that collection, where the zoological specimens are madesubservient to the anatomical predilections of the conservator, it has noskull, and false claws, which renders it impossible for me to define itscharacters. The tail has rings of scales under the hair, but this is alsothe case with most Halmaturi. 

Before proceeding to the consideration of the distribution of thespecies, over the different districts of Australasia, it may be remarkedthat this is a subject surrounded with considerable difficulty, asdifferent naturalists do not always apply the same test to determine thedistinction of the species, some considering the differences found in thespecimens from different localities, as merely local varieties, andothers regarding them as distinct; and others again declaring thatseveral specimens, which cabinet naturalists are in the habit ofregarding 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 aparticular habitat have a similar and peculiar character, I haveconsidered them as species; on the contrary when the specimens from thesame locality offer variations among themselves, as in those of the genusHepoona, where the extent of the whiteness on the tail, and the variationin the colour of the body appear to differ in the specimens from the sameplace, I have regarded them as belonging to the same species, believingit to be a variable species which has an extensive range. 

From the Table already given it appears that, of the species found on theAustralian Continent, 71 are confined to it, 12 common to it and VanDiemen's Land, and one common to it and Norfolk Island; while of the 24species found on Van Diemen's Land, 11 are found in it alone. 

The species common to the Australian Continent and Van Diemen's Land, are:

2. Nyctophilus geoffroyii. 

4. Scotophilus gouldii. 

5. Scotophilus australis. 

15. Dasyurus viverrinus. 

27. Perameles obesula. 

32. Phalangista vulpina. 

38. Hepoona cookii. 

70. Hypsiprymnus minor. 

81. Hydromys chrysogaster. 

84. Mus lutreola. 

94. Platypus anatinus. 

The species common to Australia and Norfolk Island, but not found in VanDiemen's Land is:

44. Petaurus sciureus. 

The eleven species peculiar to Van Diemen's Land, are:

11. Thylacinus cynocephalus. 

12. Diabolus ursinus. 

13. Dasyurus maculatus. 

17. Phascogale minima. 

18. Phascogale affinis. 

37. Dromicia nana. 

34. Phalangista fuliginosa. 

58. Halmaturus billardieri. 

80. Phascolomys ursina. 

93. Echidna setosa. 

83. Mus setifer. 

The last species is also found in Java, from whence it might have beenintroduced. It has been known in Van Diemen's Land some years, and doesnot appear to have found its way to Australia. 

Of the 72 species found in the Australian continent six have only beenrecorded as having been found on the North-west coast:

52. Macropus unguifer. 

55. Halmaturus bennettii. 

65. Halmaturus fasciatus. 

67. Petrogale brachyotis. 

71. Hypsiprymnus lesueurii. 

Peculiar to the Western Australian district are:

22. Phascogale leucogaster. 

23. Myrmecobius fasciatus. 

28. Perameles fuscoventer. 

29. Perameles obesula. 

30. Perameles lagotis. 

51. Macropus lunatus. 

54. Halmaturus manicatus. 

60. Halmaturus brevicaudatus. 

69. Petrogale lateralis. 

72. Hypsiprymnus gilbertii. 

72. Bettongia ogilbii. 

91. Hapalotis gouldii. 

To the South Australian district:

19. Phascogale rufogaster. 

49. Macropus fuliginosus. 

63. Halmaturus derbianus. 

77. Bettongia grayii. 

85. Mus greyii. 

86. Mus adelaidensis. 

To the North Coast:

7. Molossus australis ?

In the New South Wales district there have been recorded the following:some of them may have a larger distribution on the Continent, when thesecountries become better known, and some of them (marked with a star*) arecommon to this district, and Van Diemen's Land:

1. Rhinolophus megaphyllus. 

4. * Scotophilus gouldii. 

6. Scotophilus pumilus. 

8. Pteropus poliocephalus. 

9. Canis familiaris Australis. 

10. Otaria peronii. 

14. Dasyurus geoffroyii. 

15. * Dasyurus viverrinus. 

16. Phascogale penicillata. 

20. Phascogale flavipes. 

21. Phascogale murina. 

25. Myrmecobius ? rufus. 

26. * Perameles fasciatus. 

27. * Perameles nasuta. 

31. Choeropus ecaudatus. 

33. Phalangista xanthopus. 

35. Phalangista canina. 

36. Phalangista cuvieri. 

39. Petaurista taguanoides. 

40. Petaurista leucogaster. 

41. Petaurus macrurus. 

42. Petaurus flaviventer. 

43. Petaurus breviceps. 

44. Petaurus sciureus. 

45. Petaurus peronii. 

46. Acrobates pygmaeus. 

47. Macropus major. 

50. Macropus fraenatus. 

53. Halmaturus parryii. 

57. Halmaturus elegans. 

56. Halmaturus ualabatus. 

59. Halmaturus eugenii. 

61. Halmaturus dorsalis. 

62. Halmaturus parma. 

64 ? Halmaturus banksianus. 

66. Petrogale robusta. 

68. Petrogale penicillata. 

70. * Hypsiprymnus minor. 

73. Lagorchestes leporoides. 

74. Bettongia setosa. 

76. Bettongia whitei. 

78. Bettongia rufescens. 

79. Phascolarctos fuscus. 

82. Pseudomys australis. 

87. Mus platyurus ?

88. Mus hovellii ?

89. Hapalotis albipes. 

90. Hapalotis mitchellii. 

92. Echidna aculeata. 

94. * Ornithorhynchus paradoxus. 

Two species are remarkable as being common to the East and South sides ofthe Continent, namely:

48. Macropus laniger. 

84. Mus lutreola. 

26. * P. Fasciata. 

The latter is also found in Van Diemen's Land. And the four followingspecies are common to the South, West, and East sides of the Continent:

5. Scotophilus australis. 

32. Phalangista vulpina. 

38. Hepoona cookii, and varieties. 

81. Hydromys chrysogaster. 

These are all also found in Van Diemens' Land, and may therefore beconsidered as the most generally distributed of all the Australiananimals. Both the Phalangista and the Hepoona are very variable in theircolours, and may prove to comprise different species when we are enabledto examine a larger number of specimens from different localities. 

. .. 

APPENDIX D. 

Mr. Gould, who is now engaged in a work upon the Ornithology ofAustralia, having been solicited to furnish a list of the Birds of theWestern coast, has kindly forwarded the following enumeration of thespecies which have come under his notice as inhabiting that part of thecountry. The list, although necessarily incomplete, is the most perfectthat has yet been published, and will doubtless be of considerableinterest to the scientific as well as the general reader. 

ORDER RAPTORES. 

Aquila fucosa, Cuv. Buteo melanosternon, Gould. Haliaeetus canorus, Vig. And Horsf. Pandion leucocephalus, Gould. Falco hypoleucos, Gould. Falco melanogenys, Gould. Falco frontatus, Gould. Ieracidea berigora, Gould. Astur approximans, Vig. And Horsf. Accipiter torquatus, Vig. And Horsf. Milvus isurus, Gould. Elanus axillaris. Circus affinis? Jard. And Selb. Nyctale ? Boobook, Gould. Strix cyclops, Gould. Strix delicatulus, Gould. 

ORDER INSESSORES, Vig. 

Aegotheles novae-hollandiae, Vig. And Horsf. Podargus brachypterus, Gould. Eurostopodus guttatus, Gould. Halcyon sanctus, Vig. And Horsf. Merops ornatus, Lath. Hirundo pacifica ? Lath. Collocalia ? leucosterna, Gould. Cotyle pyrrhonota. Cotyle familiaris, Gould. Seisura volitans, Vig. And Horsf. Microeca assimilis, Gould. Rhipidura albiscapa, Gould. Rhipidura isura, Gould. (North-West Coast. )Piezorhynchus nitidus, Gould. (North-West Coast. )Ceblepyris humeralis, Gould. Graucalus melanops, Vig. And Horsf. Artamus albovittatus, Vieill. Artamus personatus, Gould. Artamus cinereus, Vieill. Artamus leucorhynchus, Vieill. Falcunculus leucogaster, Gould. Cracticus destructor. Cracticus argenteus, Gould. Gymnorhina tibicen ? G. R. Gray. Strepera tibicen ?Eopsaltria griseogularis, Gould. Colluricincla rufiventris, Gould. Colluricincla brunnea, Gould. (North-West Coast. )Oreoica gutturalis, Gould. Pachycephala gutturalis, Vig. And Horsf. Pachycephala pectoralis, Vig. And Horsf. Dasyornis longirostris, Gould. Salicaria ? longirostris ?Petroica multicolor, Swains. Petroica goodenovii, Jard. And Selb. Petroica bicolor, Swains. Zosterops chloronotus, Gould. Ephthianura albifrons, Gould. Acanthiza chrysorrhoea, Gould. Acanthiza inornata, Gould. Acanthiza (Like A. Diemenensis, Gould. )Pyrrholaemus brunneus, Gould. Gerygone brevirostris, Gould. *Gerygone culicivorus, Gould. *(* These birds have been characterised by me under the generic name ofPsilopus; but that term having been previously employed in Entomology Ipropose to alter it to Gerygone. )Sericornis frontalis ? Gould. Malurus elegans, Gould. Malurus lamberti, Vig. And Horsf. (North-West Coast. )Malurus splendens, Gould. Stipiturus malachurus, Less. Calamanthus campestris, Gould. Cinclorhamphus cruralis, Gould. Cinclorhamphus rufescens, Gould. Anthus australis ? Vig. And Horsf. Pardalotus ornatus, Temm. Pardalotus punctatus, Vieill. Cinclosoma castanotus, Gould. Dicaeum atrogaster, Less. Amadina ? acuticauda, Gould. (North-West Coast. )Amadina ? pectoralis, Gould. (North-West Coast. )Estrilda bella. Estrilda ? annulosa, Gould. (North-West Coast. )Grallina melanoleuca, Vieill. Climacteris rufa, Gould. Sittella melanocephala, Gould. Chalcites lucidus, Less. Cuculus cinereus, Vig. And Horsf. Cuculus inornatus, Vig. And Horsf. Eudynamys Orientalis ? Vig. And Horsf. (North-West Coast. )Centropus affinis, Gould. Platycercus zonarius, Wagl. Platycercus icterotis, Wagl. Platycercus pileatus, Vig. Polytelis melanura, Wagl. Nymphicus novae-hollandiae, Wagl. Pezoporus formosus, Ill. Euphema elegans, Gould. Euphema splendida, Gould. Euphema petrophila, Gould. Trichoglossus porphyrocephalus, Diet. Plyctolophus leadbeateri, Vig. Plyctolophus galeritus, Vieill. Licmetis pastinator, Gould. Calyptorhynchus naso, Gould. Calyptorhynchus baudinii, Vig. Anthochaera lewinii, Vig. And Horsf. Anthochaera lunulata, Gould. Myzantha obscura, Gould. Meliphaga mystacalis, Gould. Meliphaga novae-hollandiae ? Vig. And Horsf. Ptilotis ornata, Gould. Ptilotis leucotis, Swains. Ptilotis plumula, Gould. Ptilotis sonora, Gould. Glyciphila ocularis ? Gould. Glyciphila albifrons, Gould. Haematops lunulatus ? Gould. Acanthorhynchus superciliosus, Gould. Myzomela nigra, Gould. 

ORDER RASORES. 

Turtur spilonota. Peristera chalcoptera, Swains. Peristera scripta. Petrophassa albipennis, Gould. (North-West Coast. )Coturnix australis, Temm. Turnix* varius, Vieill. Turnix velox, Gould. Turnix castanotus, Gould. (*The term Turnix having been published long prior to that of Hemipodiusit must necessarily be employed in preference to the latter; theAustralian species of this form will therefore stand as:Turnix varius, Vieill. Turnix melanogaster, Gould. Turnix castanotus, Gould. Turnix velox, Gould. Turnix pyrrhothorax, Gould. Turnix melanotus, Gould. )Leipoa ocellata, Gould. 

ORDER GRALLATORES. 

Otis australasianus, Gould. Dromaius novae-hollandiae, Vieill. OEdicnemus novae-hollandiae, Lath. Charadrius virginianus, Borkh. Squatarola helvetica ? Cuv. AEgialitis nigrifrons, Gould. AEgialitis ruficapillus. Himantopus leucocephalus, Gould. Chladorhynchus pectoralis, G. R. Gray. Vanellus ? pectoralis. Erythrogonys cinctus, Gould. Strepsilas collaris, Temm. Pelidna australis, Jard. Limosa australis, Briss. Totanus stagnatilis ? Bechst. Haematopus picatus ?Haematopus niger ?Numenius australasianus, Gould. Recurvirostra rubricollis, Temm. Porphyrio bellus, Gould. Tribonyx ventralis, Gould. Fulica novae-hollandiae, Gould. Rallus phillipensis, Linn. Zapornia phillipensis ?Botauras stellaris ? Steph. Nycticorax caledonicus, Less. Ardea novae-hollandiae, Lath. 

ORDER NATATORES. 

Larus leucomelas, Vieill. Xema jamesonii. Sterna poliocerca, Gould. Sterna caspia ? Pall. Sterna caspia ? (like minuta). Sterna dougallii, Mont. Diomedea exulans, Linn. Diomedea melanophrys, Temm. Diomedea chlororhyncha, Gmel. Diomedea fuliginosa, Gmel. Procellaria gigantea, Auct. Puffinus brevicaudus, Gould. Puffinus chlorhynchus, Less. Cygnus atratus, Linn. Anser atratus ?Casarka tadornoides, Eyton. Malacorhynchus membranaceus, Swains. Nyroca australis, Gould. Anas novae-hollandiae, Steph. Anas naevosa, Gould. Mareca castanea, Eyton. Rhynchaspis rhyncotis, Steph. Biziura lobata, G. R. Gray. Oxyura australis, Gould. Podiceps cristatus, Lath. Podiceps gularis, Gould. Podiceps poliocephalus ? Jard. And Selb. Pelecanus spectabilis, Temm. Phalacrocorax Carbo? Cuv. Phalacrocorax pica. Phalacrocorax melanoleucus, Vieill. Spheniscus minor. 

. .. 

APPENDIX E. 

A Catalogue of the Species of Reptiles and Amphibia hitherto described asinhabiting Australia, with a description of some New Species from WesternAustralia, and some remarks on their geographical distribution, by JOHNEDWARD GRAY, F. R. S. Etc. Etc. In a note to the author. 

Order 1. SAURI. 

Family MONITORIDAE. 

1. Odatria punctata, Gray Annals of Natural History 1 394. Grey olive, with narrow black reticulated lines, leaving large hexagonalspots. Head, limbs, and tail blackish, with a few pale spots. Inhabits Western Australia. 

2. Hydrosaurus varius, Gray Annals of Natural History 1 394. Uaranus varius, Merrem. Gray King's Voyage 2 427. Lacerta varia, Shaw. White Journal New South Wales 246 t. 3. F 2. Shaw N. Misc. T. 83. Tupinambis variegatus, Dauden. Inhabits New Holland. 

3. Hydrosaurus gouldii, Gray Annals of Natural History 1 394. With two yellow streaks on the side of the neck. Scales over the orbitssmall, flat. Inhabits Australia. 

4. Uaranus bellii, Dumeril and Bibron Erp. Gen. 3 493 t. 35 f. 1. Inhabits New Holland, T. Bell, Esquire. 

Family SCINCIDAE. 

5. Trachysaurus rugosus, Gray King's Voyage 2 421. Annals of NaturalHistory 2 288. T. Peronii, Wagler Icon t. 36. Scincus pachyurus, Peron. Manuscript. Stump-tailed Goanna, Colonist's. Inhabits Western Australia, Perth. 

6. Trachysaurus typicus. Brachydactylus typicus, A. Smith South African Journal 1. Inhabits Western Australia, Perth. 

7. Egernia cunninghami, Gray Annals of Natural History 2 288. Tiliqua cunninghami, Gray Proceedings of the Zoological Society. Inhabits New Holland, Liverpool Plains. 

8. Tiliqua whitei, Gray Annals of Natural History 2 288. Tiliqua tuberculata, Gray King's Voyage 2 429. Lacerta scincoides. Shaw Zool t. 81. Scincus gigas, Bodd. S. Crotaphomelas, Lacep. A. Museum H. N. 4 192. S. Tuberculatus, Merrem. 73. Cyclodus flavigularis, Wagler Icon t. 6. Inhabits New Holland; Java ?

9. Tiliqua casuarinae. Cyclodus casuarinae, Dumeril and Bibron Erp. Gen. 5 749. Inhabits "New Holland, " Dumeril. 

10. Tiliqua nigrolutea, Gray Annals of Natural History 2 290. Scincus nigroluteus, Quoy and Gaim. Voyage Uran t. 41. Cyclodus nigroluteus, Wagler Syst. 162. Inhabits New Holland. 

11. Tiliqua trivittata ? Gray Syn. Griffith A. K. 68. Illust. Ind. Zoolt. Annals of Natural History 2 289. 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. Inhabits New Holland, Peron. India. 

12. Tiliqua taeniolata, Gray Annals of Natural History 2 289. Lacerta taeniolata, Shaw Zool. 3 239. White Journal t. 32. Scincus undecimstriatus, Kuhl Beytr. S. Octolineatus, Daud. S. A dixraies, Lacep. A. Mus. H. N. 4 192. S. Multilineatus, Lesson Voyage Coq. T. 3 f. 2. Inhabits New Holland, Sydney. 

13. Tiliqua labillardieri, Gray Annals of Natural History 2 289. Scincus labillardieri, Cocteau British Museum. Lygosoma labillardieri, Dumeril and Bibron Erp. Gen. 5 731. Inhabits New Holland, Islands of Waigiou and Rawack. 

14. Tiliqua napoleonis, Gray Annals of Natural History 2 290. Scincus napoleonis, Cuv. British Museum. S. Trifasciatus, Peron. Tropidolepisma dumerilii, var. C. Dumeril and Bibron Erp. Gen. 5 745. Psammite de Napoleon, Coct. Inhabits "New Holland. "

15. Tiliqua kingii, Gray Annals of Natural History 2 290. Scincus nicittensis, Peron manuscript. Psammite de Dumeril, Coct. Tab. Tropidolepisma dumerilii beta, Dumeril and Bibron Erp. Gen. 5 745. Inhabits New Holland, British Museum. 

16. Tiliqua aterrima. Scincus aterrimus, Peron. Tropidolepisma dumerilii alpha, Dumeril and Bibron Erp. Gen. 5 745 t. 50. Inhabits New Holland. 

17. Tiliqua tenuis, Gray Griffith A. K. 71. Annals of Natural History 2291. Scincus erucotis, Peron manuscripts. Lygosoma erucata, Dumeril and Bibron Erp. Gen. 5 726. Inhabits New Holland, British Museum. 

18. Tiliqua stoddardtii, Gray Annals of Natural History 2 291. Inhabits New Holland, Museum Chatham. 

19. Tiliqua vachelli, Gray Annals of Natural History 2 291. Inhabits New Holland, Museum Chatham. 

20. Tiliqua leucopsis, Gray Annals of Natural History 2 291. Inhabits New Holland, Museum Chatham. 

21. Tiliqua australis, Gray Annals of Natural History 2 291. Inhabits New Holland, British Museum. 

22. Tiliqua buchananii, Gray Annals of Natural History 2 291. Inhabits New Holland. British Museum. 

23. Tiliqua trilineata, Gray Annals of Natural History 2 291. Inhabits New Holland, British Museum. 

24. Tiliqua duperreyii, Gray Annals of Natural History 2 292. Scincus duperreyii, Cocteau. Lygosoma duperreyii, Dumeril and Bibron Erp. Gen. 5 715. Inhabits South Australia, Kangaroo Island. 

25. Tiliqua entrecasteaux, Gray Annals of Natural History 2 292. ?Scincus entrecasteaux, Cocteau. Lygosoma entrecasteaux, Dumeril and Bibron Erp. Gen. 5 717. Tiliqua reevesii, Gray Annals of Natural History 1 292 ?Scinque a flanc noir, Quoy and Gaim. Voyage Uranie Zool. T. 42 f. 1 ?Lygosoma quoyii, Dumeril and Bibron Erp. Gen. 5 728. Inhabits New Holland. Var. Beta China. 

26. Tiliqua lesueurii. Lygosoma lesueurii, Dumeril and Bibron Erp. Gen. 5 733. Inhabits New Holland. 

27. Tiliqua guichenoti. Lygosoma guichenoti, Dumeril and Bibron Erp. Gen. 5 713. Inhabits New Holland. 

28. Tiliqua bougainvilii, Coct. Lygosoma bougainvillii, Dumeril and Bibron Erp. Gen. 5 716. Inhabits New Holland. 

29. Tiliqua naevia. Scincus naevius, Peron. S. Melanopogon, Muller. S. Erythrolaemus, Muller. Museum Leyd. Lygosoma melanopogon, Dumeril and Bibron Erp. Gen. 5 723. Inhabits New Holland, New Guinea, and Timor. 

30. Riopa bougainvillii, Gray Annals of Natural History 2 332. Scincus bougainvillii, Cocteau. Inhabits New Holland. 

31. Lygosoma australis, Gray Annals of Natural History 2 332. Inhabits New Holland, Museum Chatham. 

32. Chiamela duvaucellii, Gray Annals of Natural History 2 333. Scincus duvaucellii, Cocteau. Museum Paris. Fide Bibron. Museum British. Inhabits Australia, King George's Sound, Museum Paris. 

33. Tetradactylus decresiensis, Peron. Cuv. Gray Annals of NaturalHistory 2 233. Dumeril and Bibron Erp. Gen. 5 764. Inhabits Australia, King George's Sound, Kangaroo Island. 

34. Tridactylus decresiensis, Peron. Gray Annals of Natural History 2333. Hemiergis decresiensis, Dumeril and Bibron Erp. Gen. 766. Zignis decresiensis, Fitz. Inhabits Australia, Kangaroo Island. 

35. Ronia catenulata, t. 4 f. 1. Gray Annals of Natural History 1841. Inhabits Western Australia. 

Family GYMNOPHTHALMIDAE. 

36. Cryptoblepharis poecilopleurus, Gray Annals of Natural History 1 335. 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. Crypt. Peronii, Coct. Etudes, t. Scincus boutonii, Desjard. S. Arenarius and S. Furcatus, Museum Leyd. Inhabits New Holland, Java, and Isle of France. 

37. Cryptoblepharis lineo-ocellatus. Ablepharis lineo-ocellatus, Dumeril and Bibron Erp. Gen. 5 817. Inhabits New Holland, Museum Paris. 

Family LIALISIDAE. 

38. Lialis burtonii, t. 3 f. 1 t. 5 f. 4. Gray Proceedings of theZoological Society 1834 134. Dumeril and Bibron Erp. Gen. 5 831. Inhabits Australia, Western Australia. 

Family PYGOPIDAE. 

39. Pygopus lepidopus, Merrem Syn. 77. Bipes lepidopode, Lacep. Ann. Museum H. N. 4 193, 209 t. 55 f. 1. Sheltopusik novae hollandiae, Oppell. Hysteropus lepidopus, Boug. H. Novae hollandiae, Dumeril and Bibron Erp. Gen. 5 832. Inhabits New Holland. There are sometimes some scales between the anterior frontal plates. 

40. Delma fraseri, t. 4 f. 3 Gray Zool. Misc. Inhabits New Holland, Liverpool Plains ? Western Australia, J. Gould. 

Family RHODONIDAE. 

41. Rhodona punctata, Gray Annals of Natural History 2 335. Brachystopus lineato-punctatus, A. Smith manuscript ? Dumeril and BibronErp. Gen. 5 779. Inhabits New Holland, South Africa, Dumeril !

42. Soridia lineata, t. 3 f. 2 Gray Annals of Natural History 2 335. Prepaeditus lineatus, Dumeril and Bibron 5 788. Inhabits Australia, Western Australia, J. Gould, common. 

43. Chelomeles quadrilineatus, Dumeril and Bibron Erp. Gen. 5 774. Inhabits New Holland, Museum Paris. 

Family APRASIADAE. 

44. Aprasia pulchella, t. 4 f. 2 Gray Annals of Natural History 2 331. Inhabits Western Australia. 

Family GECKOTIDAE. 

45. Platydactylus ornatus, Gray. Phelsuma ornata, Gray King's Voyage 2 428. Inhabits New Holland. 

46. Phyllodactylus strophurus, Dumeril and Bibron Erp. Gen. 3 397 t. 32f. 1. Inhabits West Coast of Australia, Shark Bay, Quoy and Gaimard. 

47. Phyllodactylus porphyreus, Dumeril and Bibron Erp. Gen. 3 393. Gecko porphyreus, Daud. Sphaerodactylus porphyreus, Wagler. Inhabits New Holland. 

48. Phyllodactylus lesueurii, Dumeril and Bibron Erp. Gen. 3 392. Inhabits New Holland and New Guinea. 

49. Diplodactylus vittatus, Gray Proceedings of the Zoological Society1832 40. Phyllodactylus vittatus, Dumeril and Bibron Erp. Gen. 3 400. Inhabits New Holland, Liverpool Plains. 

50. Peropus variegatus. Hemidactylus variegatus, Dumeril and Bibron Erp. Gen. 3 353. Inhabits West Coast of Australia, Shark Bay, and Van Diemen's Land. 

51. Phyllurus platurus, Cuv. R. A. 2 58. P. Cuvieri, Borg. Lacerta platura, Shaw. White Journal New South Wales 246 t. 3 f. 2. L. Discosura, Lacep. Stellio phyllurus, Schneider. S. Platurus, Daud. Gecko platicaudus, Schinz. Agama platyura and A. Discosura, Merrem. Gymnodactylus platurus, Wagler. G. Phyllurus, Dumeril and Bibron Erp. Gen. 3 428. Cyrtodactylus platurus, Gray. Inhabits New Holland. 

52. Phyllurus miliusii, Bory St. Vincent Dict. Class H. N. 7 183 t. Cyrtodactylus miliusii, Gray. Gymnodactylus miliusii, Dumeril and Bibron Erp. Gen. 3 450 t. 33 f. 1. Inhabits New Holland, Museum Paris. 

Family AGAMIDAE. 

53. Chlamydosaurtis kingii, Gray King's Voyage Australia 2 424 t. Dumeriland Bibron Erp. Gen. 4 441 t. 45. Inhabits West Coast of Australia, Careening Bay, A. Cunningham, Esquire, Port Nelson. Captain Grey sent afine specimen of this species to the Museum during his travels. 

54. Lophura lesueurii, Gray Syn. Griffith A. K. 60. Istiurus lesueurii, Dumeril and Bibron Erp. Gen. 4. Inhabits Australia, New Holland. 

55. Grammatophora barbata, Kaup Isis. Gray. Dumeril and Bibron ?Agama barbata, Cuv. R. A. 2 35. Inhabits New Holland. 

56. Grammatophora muricata, Kaup Isis 1827 621. Gray. Dumeril and Bibron. Lacerta muricata, Shaw Zool. 3 t. 63 f. 1. Agama muricata, Daud. A. Jacksoniensis, Kuhl. Guerin Icon t. 3 f. Amphibolus muricatus, Wiegmann. Inhabits New Holland. Var. 1 diemenensis, Gray Annals of Natural History 1840. Inhabits Van Diemen's Land. Var. 2 adelaidensis. Gray Annals of Natural History 1840. Inhabits Western Australia, Adelaide. 

57. Grammatophora gaimardii, Dumeril and Bibron Erp. Gen. 4 470. Inhabits West Coast of Australia, Shark Bay. 

58. Grammatophora decresii, Dumeril and Bibron Erp. Gen. 4 472. Inhabits Australia, Kangaroo Island. Var. 1. Inhabits Western Australia. 

59. Grammatophora cristata, Gray Annals of Natural History 1840. Inhabits Western Australia, J. Gould. 

60. Moloch horridus, t. 2. Gray Annals of Natural History 1841. Inhabits Western Australia, Captain G. Grey. J. Gould. 

61. Uromastix griseus, Cuv. R. A. 2 34. Inhabits "New Holland. " Peron. It is very probable that this species was established on a variety ordiscoloured specimen of U. Hardwickii, and it is very doubtful if it is anative of New Holland. 

Family CHAMAELEONIDAE. 

62. Chamaeleo bifurcus, Brongn. Bull. Soc. Philom. Number 36 f. 2. Dumeril and Bibron Erp. Gen. 3 233 t. 27 f. 3. Cham. Bifidus, Latr. Inhabits "New Holland. "Messieurs Dumeril and Bibron, in the work cited, state that this speciesis found in New Holland, but I believe this is a mistake, as I haveneither seen nor heard of any species of this genus being found inAustralia. 

Order 2. OPHIDII. 

Family VIPERIDAE. 

63. Acanthophis palpebrosa. A. Cerastinus, Lacep. Ann. Museum 4 100. Guerin Icon. T. 24 f. 2. A. Brownii, Leach Zool. Misc. 1 t. 3. Boa palpebrosa, Shaw Zool. 3 362. Ophryas acanthophis, Merrem. 147. Schlingende Natter, Merrem Beytr. 2 t. 3. Vipera acanthophis, Schlegel. 2 605 t. 21 f. 21, 22, 23. Inhabits New Holland. 

Family COLUBRIDAE. 

64. Tropidonotus mairii, Gray. Inhabits New Holland, Dr. Mair, 39th Regiment Museum Chatham. 

65. Leptophis punctulatus, Gray, King's Voyage 2 432. Inhabits Careening Bay, James Hunter, Esquire. 

66. Leptophis spilotus, Gray, King's Voyage 2 433. Inhabits Australia Cape, P. P. King, R. N. 

67. Naja custa, Schlegel Phy. Serp. 2 486. Inhabits Australia, King George's Sound, Museum Paris. 

68. Naja bungaroides, Schlegel Phys. Serp. 2 477. Inhabits New Holland, Port Jackson, and India, Museum Paris. Var. 1. New Holland. Dr. Mair. 

69. Trimesurus leptocephalus, Lacep. Ann. Museum 4 196 t. 56 f. 1. Crimson-sided Snake, Coluber porphyraicus, Shaw Zool. T. 110. NewHolland, t. 10. Hurria porphyraica, Merrem. Boa laevis, Lacep. Ann. Museum 4 195. Duberia porphyriaca, Fitz. Acanthophis tortor, Lesson Voyage t. 6. Guerin Icon. T. 24 f. 1. Pseudechis porphyriacus, Wagler. Alecto, Wagler. Oplocephalus, Cuv. R. Anim. 2 94. Naja porphyraica, Schlegel. 1 181 2 479 t. 17 f. 6, 7. Inhabits New Holland, Sidney. 

70. Trimesurus olivaceus, Gray. Inhabits New Holland, Dr. Mair. 

71. Calimaria diadema, 65 f. 3. Schlegel Phys. Serp. 1 131 2 32. Inhabits Australia, New Holland, Quoy and Dr. Mair. Western Australia, Mr. Gould. 

72. Calimaria annulata, Gray. Snake, n. 2. White Journal Appendix 259 t. F. 2. Inhabits New Holland, Dr. Lewis. 

73. Tortrix pseudo-eryx, Schlegel Phys. Serp. 1 128 2 19. Inhabits New Holland, Port Jackson, Peron. 

74. Tortrix australis, Gray. Inhabits New Holland, Museum Chatham, n. 68. 

75. Elaps psammophis, Schlegel Phys. Serp. 1 182 2 454. Inhabits New Holland. 

76. Elaps coronatus, Schlegel Phys. Serp. 1 184 2 454. Inhabits New Holland. 

77. Elaps gouldii, t. 5 f. 1. Gray Annals of Natural History 1841. Inhabits Western Australia. 

78. Elaps ? lewisii, Gray. Inhabits New Holland, Dr. Lewis. 

Family BOIDAE. 

79. Python spilotes. P. Punctatus, Merrem Tent. 150. P. Peronii, Cuv. R. A. Wagner, Icon. T. 1. Coluber spilotes, Lacep. Ann. Museum 4 195. Echidna spilotes, Merrem. Australian Snake, Shaw's Zool. 505. Snake, n. 1. And 5. White Voyage Appendix 159 t. F. 5 and t. F. 1. Inhabits New Holland, White. King George's Sound, Quoy. 

Family HYDRIDAE. 

80. Aspisurus laticaudatus. Coluber laticaudatus, Linn. Museum Ad. T. 16 f. 1. Platura fasciata, Latreille. Pl. Semi-fasciata, Reinw. Laticauda imbricata, Laur. Aspisurus laevis, Lacep. Ann. Museum 4 197 t. 56 f. 3. Hydrus colubrinus, Schlegel Phys. Serp. 514 t. 18 f. 18 to 22. Inhabits New Holland. 

81. Pelamis bicolor, Daud. Anguis platura, Linn. S. N. 391. Hydrophis platura, Latr. Hydrus bicolor, Schneider. Inhabits New Holland. Port Jackson, Forster. 

82. Disteria doliata, Lacep. Ann. Museum 4 199 t. 57. F. 2. Hydrophis schistosus, Daud. Schlegel Phys. Serp. 500. Inhabits New Holland. 

Order 3. CHELONIA. Family CHELYDAE. 

83. Platemys macquaria, Dumeril and Bibron Erp. Gen. 2 458. Hydraspis macquaria, Gray Syn. Rept. 1 40. Emys macquaria, Cuv. R. Anim. 2 11. Inhabits New Holland ?

84. Hydraspis australis, t. 6. New species. Inhabits. 

85. Chelodina longicollis, Gray Syn. Rep. 39. C. Novae hollandae, Dumeriland Bibron Erp. Gen. 2 445 t. 21 f. 2. Testudo longicollis, Shaw Gen. Zool. 3 62 t. 16. Zool. New Hol. 1 19 t. 7. Emys longicollis, Schw. Prod. 1 309, 433. Hydraspis longicollis. Bell Zool. Journal 3 512. Inhabits New Holland, Sydney. 

86. Chelodina oblonga, t. 7 new species. Inhabits Western Australia. 

Family CHELONIADAE. 

87. Chelonia caretta. Testudo caretta, Solander manuscript Banks Icon. Ined. In British Museumn. 41, 42, 43. Inhabits Sea. Latitude 37 South, December 23 1768. Captain Cook. 

88. Chelonia imbricata. Inhabits Sea, New Holland, New Guinea. 

89. Chelonia mydas. Testudo mydas, Solander manuscript. Banks Icon. Ined. In British Museumn. 39, 40. Inhabits New Holland, Endeavour River, Cook's Voyage. 

Order EMYDOSAURI. 

Family CROCODILIDAE. 

90. Crocodilus vulgaris, Cuv. Ann. Mus. 10 40 t. 1 f. 5 12 t. 2 f. 7. Inhabits New Holland, Mouth of Endeavour River, Captain Cook. 

Class AMPHIBIA. 

Family RANIDAE. 

91. Cystignathus peronii, Dumeril and Bibron Erp. Gen. 8 409. Inhabits New Holland ? Peron. 

92. Cystignathus dorsalis, Gray Annals of Natural History 1841. Inhabits Western Australia. 

93. Crinia georgiana, Tschudi, 2 78. Cystignathus georgianus, Dumeril and Bibron Erp. Gen. 8 416. Inhabits Australia, King George's Sound. 

94. Heleioporus albopunctatus, tab. 1 f. 2 Gray Annals of Natural History1841. Inhabits Western Australia. 

Family HYLIDAE. 

95. Litoria freycinetii, Dumeril and Bibron Erp. Gen. 8 504 t. 88 f. 2. Inhabits New Holland, Port Jackson. 

90. Hyla peronii, Dumeril and Bibron Erp. Gen. 8 569. Dendrohyas peronii, Tschudi, 75. Inhabits New Holland, Peron. 

97. Hyla coerulea. Hyla cyanea, Daud. Schlegel. Dum. Blue Frog, White Journal Appendix 248. Rana australasiae, Schneider. R. Coerulea, Shaw Gen. Zool. 3 113. Daud. Mer. Calamites cyanea, Fitz. Tschudi. Calamites coerulea, Wagler. Inhabits New Holland, New Guinea, Timor. 

98. Hyla jervisiensis, Dumeril and Bibron Erp. Gen. 8 580. Inhabits New Holland, Jervis Bay. 

99. Hyla lesueurii, Dumeril and Bibron Erp. Gen. 8 595. H. Oculata, Peronmanuscript. Inhabits New Holland, Port Jackson. 

100. Hyla ewingii, Dumeril and Bibron Erp. Gen. 8 597. Inhabits Van Diemen's Land. 

101. Hyla citropa, Peron and Lesueur. Dumeril and Bibron Erp. Gen. 8 600. Dendrohyas citropa, Tschudi, 75. Inhabits New Holland, Port Jackson. 

102. Hyla aurea. Rana aurea, Lesson Voyage Coq. T. 7 f. 2. Hyla jacksoniensis, Dumeril and Bibron Erp. Gen. 8 602. Ranoidea jacksoniensis, Tschudi. Inhabits New Holland, Port Jackson. 

103. Hyla adelaidensis, t. 8 f. 2. Gray Annals of Natural History 1841. Inhabits Western Australia. 

104. Hyla bioculata, t. 8 f. 1. Gray Annals of Natural History 1841. Inhabits Western Australia. 

105. Uperoleja marmorata, Gray Annals of Natural History 1841. Inhabits Western Australia. 

Family BUFONIDAE. 

106. Phreniscus australis, Dumeril and Bibron Erp. Gen. 8 725. Bombinator australis, Gray Proceedings of the Zoological Society. Inhabits New Holland. 

107. Breviceps gouldii; Gray Annals of Natural History 1841. Breviceps heliogabali, Gray, tab. 1 f. 1. Inhabits Western Australia. 

I have been induced to add to the foregoing list the followingobservations on the more obscure and hitherto unknown genera and species. 

RONIA, Gray. Head rather shelving, shielded with one transverse frontaland two large vertebral plates, the hinder largest; the rostral plateslarge, with two unequal superciliary plates. The nasal plate triangular, interposed between the rostral plate and the frontal ones, with thenostrils in its centre; loreal plates two, square; labial plates large;ears none, only a very indistinct sunk dot in their place. Bodycylindrical; 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 veryunequal toes, with distinct claws. 

35. Ronia catenulata, Gray, t. 4 f. 1. 

Back grey, with eight series of small black dots, one dot on the centreof each scale; cheeks black speckled; sides and beneath whitish. 

Body 3 1/2, tail 2 1/2 inches. 

Inhabits Western Australia. Mr. J. Gould. 

The scales under the tail are rather larger, and the spots on the tailare also rather larger than those on the back. 

38. Lialis burtonii, t. 3 f. 1. Gray Proceedings of the ZoologicalSociety 1834 134. Dumeril and Bibron H. R. 831. 

Pale brown, back with three longitudinal brown streaks, each occupyinghalf of two series of scales; the centre streak divided into two over thenape and head, uniting together again over the tip of the nose. 

Inhabits Western Australia. J. Gould. 

Family Pygopidae. 

Head short, with two or three pairs of narrow frontal shields, similarto, and behind the nasal shield, with two odd large vertebral shields;nostrils oblong, in the suture between the outer angle of the nasalshield and the front loreal shields; ears distinct, tympanum sunk; eyessurrounded with a series of scales; belly with two or four series ofbroad 6-sided ventral shields; tail with three series of broader shields, the central the broadest; limbs two, rudimentary, undivided, scaly, onthe side of the vent; throat covered with small scales; lower labialplates large. 

Pygopus. The scales of the back keeled, with a series of numerouspraeanal pores; pupil round; the hinder limbs elongate. 

Delma. The scales smooth; praeanal pores none; pupil elliptical, erect;hinder limbs short. 

42. Soridia lineata, t. 3, f. 2. 

M. Bibron in the work quoted observes: La Soridia lineata de M. Grayn'est pas different d'une espece de Scincoiden du Cap que nous avons vuedans la collection de M. Smith a Chatham et de laquelle nous avions prisune description qui s'est malheureusement egaree. Page 787. And again:Nous croyons que c'est par erreur que M. Gray a indique cette espececomme provenant de la Nouvelle Hollande, nous pensons plutot qu'elle estoriginaire du Cap, et la meme que celle dont nous parlions tout a l'heureou le Scincoidien que d'accord avec le Dr. Smith nous nous proposionsd'appeller Praepeditus lineatus. Page 788. 

I do not know what Dr. Smith's animal may be, but the account ofPraepeditus, given by M. Bibron, is only a translation of my descriptionof Soridia! It is not probable that this animal should come both fromAustralia and the Cape. It is certainly from New Holland. 

44. APRASIA. 

The head small, shielded; muzzle rounded, rather produced, with two pairsof large frontal shields, covering the cheeks, a large six-sidedelongated vertebral shield, and a pair of small superciliar shields;rostral and labial shields large, few; the nostrils small, in the suturesbetween the tip of the front upper labial, and the anterior frontalplates; eyes circular, edged with a series of small scales; pupil round;ears none; body and tail cylindrical, tapering, covered with hexangularscales, the ventral shields rather broader; limbs none. 

By some mistake the slip containing the description of this genus in mysynopsis of the slender-tongued Saurians got into the wrong place withthe Tiliquae instead of being near Anguis. 

56. Grammatophora muricata. 

The young animals have a series of small spines on each side of the baseof the tail, and a series of spots on each side of the back. 

Mr. Gould has brought home two very distinct local varieties. 

Var. 1 diemenensis. Young dark-coloured, with vermiculated marks on thechin, chest, and abdomen. The adult dark, beneath gray, varied with blackspots placed in irregular lines. 

Inhabits Van Diemen's Land. 

Var. 2 adelaidensis. Young pale above and beneath, with three broaddiverging black lines on the chin, leaving an oblong spot in the centreof the throat, with a broad streak on the chest separated into threelines on the abdomen, which unite together again on the pubis. The adultgray, with a few spots beneath. 

58. Grammatophora decresii, Dumeril and Bibron, Erp. Gen. 4 472. ?

Tail conical, with nearly regular scales, the base rather swollen, without any series of spines on the side; the nape and back with a seriesof rather larger, low, compressed scales; back with small sub-equalscales, and a few larger ones in cross series; side of the head near theears and side of neck with two or three ridges crowned with short conicalspines. In spirits black, yellow spotted and varied, beneath gray, vermiculated with blackish; tail black-ringed. 

Inhabits Western Australia. 

So much smaller than G. Muricata that I might have considered them asyoung animals if one of them had not had the body filled with well-formedeggs; and the tail is much shorter in comparison than even in the youngof that species. 

They agree in most points with the description given by Messieurs Dumeriland Bibron, but not in the colour and in the size of the tail. Thespecimens in our collection greatly differ in their colour, but are allvery different from any other species. 

59. Grammatophora cristata. Nape with a crest of distinct, rather short, curved, compressed, spinose scales; back and tail with a series ofcompressed keeled scales, forming a slight keel; occiput with separateshort strong conical spines: sides of the neck and back with foldscrowned with series of short compressed scales; base of the tail withsome scattered larger scales. In spirits, dull olive; crown black withlarge white spots, beneath black; middle of the belly, and undersides ofthe base of the tail white; tail with black rings at the end; feetwhitish. 

Inhabits Western Australia. Mr. J. Gould. 

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. 

But as Dumeril and Bibron's species is only described from a singlespecimen which is in a bad state, and has lost its epidermis, and as thedescription itself, though long, refers chiefly to parts which do notdiffer in the species of the genus, this species may prove not to bedifferent from it. 

These authors, in giving the character of Grammatophora gaimardii and G. Decresii, appears to place great reliance on the one having tubular andthe other non-tubular femoral pores, which is a fact entirely dependenton the state in which the animal might be at the time when it was putinto the spirits, as I have verified by comparing numerous specimens ofdifferent reptiles furnished with these pores. 

But in this genus the size of the pores is apparently of less importancethan in many others, for they appear to be quite invisible in some statesof the animal: thus out of many specimens of G. Muricata brought by Mr. Gould from Van Diemen's Land and Western Australia, eight specimens haveno visible pores; these specimens differ from the others in being of arather paler colour beneath. This state of the pores may entirely dependon the manner in which they were preserved, for all these specimens had aslit made into their abdomen to admit the spirits; while in all thespecimens in which this care had not been taken the pores are distinctlyseen, sometimes moderately sized, and at others tubularly produced. 

60. MOLOCH, Gray. 

Body depressed, covered with irregular, unequal, small, granular plates, each furnished with a more or less prominent central spine, and with aseries of large, conical, convex, acute spines; head and limbs coveredwith similar scales and spines; head small, with very large spines overeach 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. 

The external appearance of this Lizard is the most ferocious of any thatI know, the horns of the head and the numerous spines on the body givingit a most formidable aspect. The scales of the back are small andunequal; they gradually increase in size as they approach the base of theconical spines, which is surrounded with a ring of larger scales withlonger spines; the large spines are conical; rather compressed, spinulosebelow, smooth and acute at the tip, and are usually furnished with asharp-toothed ridge on the front edge, and sometimes on both. Thesespines only consist of a horny sheath, placed on a fleshy process of theexact form and appearance of the spines they bear. 

The scales of the underside of the body are of the same form as those ofthe back, and are furnished with similar but smaller and less producedspines. The back of the neck of the two specimens I have seen isfurnished with a large rounded protuberance like a cherry, covered withlarge granular spinous scales, and armed on each side with a largeconical spine; but I do not know if this is common to the species ormerely accidental in these individuals; at any rate it adds considerablyto the singularity of their appearance. 

I have named this genus, from its appearance, after "Moloch, horridking. "

60. Moloch horridus, t. 2. 

Pale yellow, marked with dark regular spots; sides and beneath withblack-edged dark red similar spots. 

Inhabits Western Australia. The Honourable Captain G. Grey, and JohnGould, Esquire. 

The marks on the body are very definite, but from the irregularity oftheir form they are not easily described. 

The lips are dark brown, with two streaks up to the small spines on theforehead; there is a dark cross-band from the base of the two large hornsover 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 theshoulders, crossing the nuchal swelling. In the middle of the back thereis a very large black patch nearly extending from side to side, and overthe loins are two oblong longitudinal black spots; the dark linescommencing from the lower angle of each eye extend along the upper partof each side to the upper part of the groin; the front of the fore- andhind-legs, and the sides are marked with similar dark bands. 

A dark band commences from the hinder part of the lower lip, merging inthe throat, and expanding out so as to be united together at the backpart of the chin. There is a large rather oblong spot in the centre ofthe chest and the hinder part of the abdomen, separated from each otherby a large somewhat triangular spot on each side of the middle of theabdomen. 

Body 4 1/2 inches. 

This is the Spinous Lizard exhibited by Mr. Gould at the meeting of theZoological Society in October 1840. 

64. Tropidonotus mairii, Gray. 

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 shieldstwo pairs, long; throat scaly on the sides, shielded in the middle;loreal shields equal; one high anterior, and three small posterior ocularshields; temples shielded; nostrils in the suture between the scales; theanterior frontal narrow, moderate; eyes large, convex, pupil round. 

Inhabits New Holland, Dr. Mair, 39th Regiment. 

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 figuresso indistinct, compared with what are now required to determine thespecies of snakes, that I am unable to apply them with certainty to anyof the species here recorded. 

68. Naja bungaroides, var. 

Brown. Varied with a few whitish cross bands; last series of scales andbeneath whitish ventral shield black in front; subcaudal plates, one-rowed; throat scaly; chin shields two pairs; eyes lateral, pupilround; front pair of frontal plates short; nostrils lateral, in two smallshields, loreal shields none; one large anterior, and two moderateposterior ocular shields; lower temporal shield in the labial ones. Scales quite smooth, broad. 

Inhabits New Holland. Dr. Mair. 

69. Trimesurus leptocephalus. 

Lacepede described this species twice, once as a Boa, and then as aTrimesurus. Mr. Schlegel observes that there is one of Baudin's originalspecimens in the Leyden collection, and that the scales are not in theleast keeled, though Lacepede described them to be so. Lesson believingit to be an undescribed species formed for it his genus Acanthophis;Wagler has also formed two genera for this single species; and Cuvierformed from a variety of it with subcaudal bands a third genus, under thename of Oplocephalus. 

70. Trimesurus olivaceus, Gray. 

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, andbeneath white; lips and chin black dotted, front of ventral shieldsblackish, throat scaly, chin shields two pairs. Under the epidermisbluish green; body elongate, tapering; tail moderate tapering, subeaudalshields 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; thenostrils lateral in the suture between two shields, hinder shieldelongate; loreal shields none; one large anterior and two moderatepost-ocular shields; labial shields subequal, lower temporal inserted. 

Inhabits New Holland. Dr. Mair. 

71. Calamaria diadema, t. 5 f. 3. 

Body cylindrical, scales small; ventral shields brown, rounded; tailrather 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, lowestlargest; temples shielded; labial shield moderate. White dorsal scaleswith a distinct brown edge; head and nape black, with a broad whiteoccipital band; beneath white. 

New Holland. Dr. Mair. 

72. Calamaria annulata, Gray. Snake, n. 2. White's Journal Appendix 259f. 2. 

White (in spirits) with twenty-eight black rings (twenty-five on the bodyand three on the tail;) head with two black bands, one on the end of thenose 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 smallpost-ocular shields. 

Inhabits New Holland. Dr. Lewis. 

74. Tortrix australis. 

Pale olive, scales black-edged, on the sides widest; beneath bluish, witha white edged black band across the end of the muzzle; a white bandbefore the front and back of the eyes, and a triangular black spot at thelower hinder angle of the eyes; pupil round; one large and two posteriorocular shields, no loreal shields; nostrils lateral, in the suturebetween the two nasal shields; scales smooth imbricate, those of thesides larger, of the tail six-sided. 

77. Elaps gouldii, Gray, t. 5 f. 1. 

Pale yellowish; the scales of the back small, 6-sided, with a darkanterior margin, giving the back a netted appearance. Top of the head andnape black, with a yellow spot on the rostral scale on each side justbefore the eyes. Head small, the occipital plates large elongate; thenasal plate triangular; one moderate anterior, and two subequal posteriorocular shields; six upper and lower labial shields, the fourth under theeyes; eyes small, pupil round. There is an indistinct small yellow spotbehind the upper part of the eye; but this may be an accidental variety, as the spots on the two sides are not equally defined. 

Inhabits Western Australia. 

This species resembles Calamaria diadema, which is also found in WesternAustralia, but it is larger, and the head is larger in comparison withthe body, and in this species it is the base of scales, while in thelater it is the outer margin, that is dark. 

78. Elaps lewisii, Gray. 

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 shieldexpanded on the sides, and bent down on the cheeks. Nostrils in thesuture 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 throatshielded, sides scaly. Eyes large, pupil rounded; body elongate, sub-cylindrical, moderately thick, covered with cross bands of elongatednarrow 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. 

80. Hydrus. 

Captain G. Grey informs me that these snakes coil themselves upon theshore, 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, asthey cannot sink without first throwing themselves on the back, probablyto empty their large vesicular lungs. 

83. Platemys macquaria. 

This species was originally indicated by Cuvier, from a single specimenbrought from the Macquarie River by Messieurs Lesson and Garnot. It hasbeen doubted if it really is an inhabitant of that country, and might nothave been imported from South America, whence all the other species ofthe genus come, and sold to the French collectors for a native species. 

84. Hydraspis australis, t. 6. 

Body ovate, back dark olive, rather convex, rounded on the middle of thesides, with a narrow reflexed edge, shelving behind with a broad expandedmargin; vertebral shields broad, six-sided, last subtriangular; beneathrather convex, yellow, shelving on the sides; the second marginal platewith an angular lobe produced into the suture between the vertebral andfirst costal plates; claws sharp, black; skin of head and limbs smooth. 

Inhabits Western Australia ?

The back covered with conferva. 

85. Chelodina longicollis. 

Mr. Gould brought two large specimens of this species, which are muchmore ovate and convex than Dr. Shaw's specimens. They are 7 inches longby 6 wide. It may be a particular variety, or they may become more ovateas they increase in size, The sternal shields (in specimens preserved inbrine) are pale yellow, with black edges. 

86. Chelodina oblonga, t. 7. 

Shell oblong, rather contracted in front, with a broad impression on themiddle of the back; back olive brown, with irregular anastomosing lineson the shields; beneath reddish-yellow. The marginal plates longer thanbroad, the second larger than the first and third; and rather angularlyproduced in the middle of the inner edge, opposite the suture between thefirst dorsal and first costal plate; the sternum high, flat, strongly andsharply keeled on the sides. 

Inhabits Western Australia. 

This species is at once known from Chelodina longicollis by the form ofits high, flat sternum, which is strongly keeled on the sides, and bythis part being of a uniform reddish colour, without any dark margin tothe plates; the hinder part of the sternum is only slightly concavelytruncated, and not deeply notched. 

It is also known from that old well-known species by its oblong depressedform, and by the form of the marginal plates, and especially from thesecond and eleventh marginal plates on each side being placed moreforwards, so that the centre of their inner edge is opposite the sutureof the first and last costal plates with the dorsal ones; instead oftheir front margin, as is the case with all the specimens of Chelodinalongicollis I have seen. 

This species grows to a large size. Mr. Gould brought a specimen which hegave to Mr. Bell, which is 11 inches long, and the neck is nearly equallylong, very thick, and studded with large warts; the head is broad anddepressed, covered with a thin skin, like a Trionyx, and marked withsmall thin scales. 

92. Cystignathus dorsalis. 

The palatine teeth in a single large straight line, just behind the innernostrils; tongue large, slightly nicked behind, the tympanum nearly hidunder the skin; gray-brown (in spirits) marbled with dark irregularspots, with a white streak down the middle of the forehead and front ofthe back; sides pure white, spotted and marbled with black; beneathwhite; toes elongate, slender, tapering; back part of thighs brown, whitespeckled. 

Inhabits Western Australia. Mr. Gould. 

This species is very distinct from C. Peronii and C. Georgianus, the twoAustralian species described by Messieurs Dumeril and Bibron. It agreeswith the former in the disposition of the palatine teeth. 

HELIOPORUS, Gray. 

Head short, swollen; eyes large, convex; palatine teeth in a straightinterrupted 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 hindwrist with a large, oblong, compressed, internal tubercle; the base ofthe inner finger with a conical wart, ending in a small acute bonyprocess; tongue large, entire behind. 

This genus has many of the characters of Cystignathus, but differs fromit in being warty and swollen, and in having short toes like a toad. 

94. Helioporus albo punctatus, t. 1 f. 2. 

Lead-coloured (in spirits) with white spots; beneath dirty white, withsome small white warts at the angle of the mouth; legs smooth. 

Inhabits Western Australia. 

103. Hyla Adelaidensis, Gray, t. 8 f. 2. 

Slender; fore-toes quite free, hinder toes webbed to the last joint; (inspirits) gray-blue, with a series of small oblong tubercles; the sidespurple-brown with a white streak from the underside of the eyes to theshoulders; sides of the belly and region of the vent purplish, with smallwhite spots; the hinder side of the thighs purple-brown, with three largeoblong white spots; belly and under side of thighs granular; chin white, brownish dotted; palatine teeth in two roundish groups between theinternal nostrils. 

Inhabits Western Australia. 

104. Hyla binoculata, Gray, t. 8, f. 1. 

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 theeye; sides purplish, with small white spots; back of the thighs purple, with two yellow spots; belly and underside of thighs whitish, granular. 

Var. 1. Back of thighs with one or two additional yellow spots. 

Var. 2. Back bluish gray; back of the thighs with six or seven smallsubequal yellow spots. 

Inhabits Western Australia. 

UPEROLEIA, Gray. 

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 conicalinner tubercle; tongue small, oblong, roundish, and entire behind. 

This genus is most nearly allied to Leiuperus of Messieurs Dumeril andBibron, with which it agrees in having no teeth on the palate, but itdiffers from it in the tympanum being quite hid. 

The internal nostrils are some distance in front of the cross-ridge onwhich the palatine teeth are generally placed. 

105. Uperoleia marmorata. 

Black and green marbled, leaving a triangular greenish spot on theforehead, beneath lead colour. 

Inhabits Western Australia. 

Dr. Tschudi has formed a genus under the name of Crinia, which appears byhis characters to be nearly related to the above; but Messieurs Dumeriland Bibron (Erp. Gen. 8 416) observe that the specimens he described havetwo very small groups of teeth on the vomer. 

107. Breviceps gouldii, t. 1 f. 1. 

Smooth, with a few scattered low tubercles; gray-brown (in spirits), yellowish beneath. 

Inhabits Western Australia. 

This animal has all the external appearance and character, as far as theyare given in Messieurs Dumeril and Bibron's work, of the Brevicepsgibbosus of the Cape of Good Hope, except that it has not the yellowdorsal band, and the back is scarcely to be designated as granular. It isthe second species of the genus, and only the second Toad found inAustralia. 

. .. 

APPENDIX F. 

Notes on some Insects from King George's Sound, collected and presentedto the British Museum by CAPTAIN GEORGE GREY, by ADAM WHITE, Esquire, British Museum, in a letter addressed to the author. 

DEAR SIR, Fabricius was the first, or among the earliest, Entomologists whodescribed the Annulose animals of New Holland, New Zealand, and thePacific Islands. At the time he published his Systema Entomologiae (1775)these parts of the world had been visited by but few persons, and Ibelieve that all the species he described as coming from them he found inthe collection which was made by Sir Joseph Banks and Dr. Solander ontheir well-known voyage with Captain Cook; that collection was presentedto the Linnean Society of London. Several of the original specimens havebeen figured in the works of Olivier and Donovan, and it is perhapsunnecessary to say that modern Entomologists often refer to thesespecimens as the typical examples. As far as I am aware the nextimportant addition to the Entomology of New Holland was made by Dr. Schreibers of Vienna, * which was followed by that of Mr. Marsham. ** Allthe specimens described by these entomologists were most probablycollected by travellers touching only at certain points on the coast. 

(*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 (ElephastomusMacleay). Cetonia philipsii (Schizorhina Kirby) Silpha lachrymosa(Ptomaphila Hope). Clerus fasciculatus. Prionus lepidopterus (TragocerusDejean) Cerambix giraffa (Gnoma) Cer. Fichtelii (Enicodes G. R. Gray)Scarites schroetteri (Hyperion Lap. ) all new, and a singular Brasiliangenus, Scarabaeus dytiscoides (near Anamnesis Vigors and supposed to bethe Eucranium arachnoides Dejean Cat. Page 150 ed 1837) are all admirablydescribed and figured here. )

(**Footnote. Linnean Transactions 9 pages 283 to 295, tab. 24 to 25 1808. Description of Notoclea, a new genus of Coleopterous Insects from NewHolland by Thomas Marsham, Esquire. Tr. L. S. This contains 20 species, some of which however had been previously described by Olivier underParopsis, the appellation now universally applied to this "convex-backed"genus. The Reverend William Kirby in a note added the more latentcharacters. )

As New Holland became colonized and settlements increased Entomology wasnot altogether neglected, for we find a resident, John W. Lewin, A. L. S. , of Paramatta, New South Wales, in 1805, publishing an elegant and curiousquarto volume of plates in which he describes many species of crepuscularand nocturnal Lepidoptera, in most cases figuring the insects in alltheir stages; it is highly to be regretted that this interesting work wasnot continued, and it is to be feared that want of encouragement aloneprevented the industrious and acute author from persevering in the designof his work, which the title he gave it* shows he intended to have madeof a general nature on the subject. The accounts of the habits ofCryptophasa and Agarista are peculiarly interesting, and it is much to bewished that some of the many entomologists now in New Holland and theislands of the Pacific Ocean would publish similar notes (however short)on the habits, etc. , of the insects they may find. 

(*Footnote. Prodromus, etc. , Natural History of Lepidopterous Insects ofNew South Wales, collected, engraved, and faithfully painted after natureby J. W. L. Etc. London 1805 4to. )

Dr. Robert Brown, when on Flinders' voyage, collected many interestinginsects which were described by Kirby in the 12th volume of the LinneanTransactions. * Several specimens were deposited by this celebratedbotanist in the British Museum. We find Dr. Leach commencing thedescription of New Holland insects in his Zoological Miscellany; andMacleay in his Horae Entomologicae described many curious Lamellicornes. Since that time the communication with the great South Continent has beenso uninterrupted that collections have been continually coming to Europe, and scarcely a ship now arrives without some additions being made to thisbranch of science. 

(*Footnote. Volume 12 1818 pages 454 to 478. A description of several newspecies 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 speciesdescribed, 13 figured on tab. 23. Mr. Kirby, in his century of Insectspublished in the same volume, described 17 New Holland species, and inthe same celebrated paper founded four new genera upon AustralasianInsects, Adelium, Rhinotia, Eurhinus and Rhinaria. He would havedescribed other genera but for his fear of interfering with Germar'slabours on the Curculionidae. N. B. Strongylium chalconotum is from Braziland not from Australasia as indicated. )

The French voyages of discovery under Freycinet, * Duperrey, D'Urville, and Laplace have contributed very much to extend our knowledge of theNatural History of the Southern islands, as the publication of theHistory of the Voyages of the Uranie, Coquille, Astrolabe, and Favorite, amply testify; we are more especially indebted to Admiral D'Urville, whoseems to unite the seemingly incompatible duties of commander of anexpedition with an enthusiastic love of and search after insects. M. Guerin-Meneville published the Annulose animals of the Voyage de laCoquille, in which New Holland genera and species take a prominent place. Dr. Boisduval described those collected on the expedition of theAstrolabe, he also published the first Fauna Entomologica of New Hollandand the Pacific; in his two volumes he gives a synoptical description ofall the species he met with in the Parisian collections, indicating alsosuch as he found in books whether he had seen the specimens or not. Moredetailed descriptions are looked for on some future occasion by theentomologists of this country from the learned and talented author of somany well-known works. 

(*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 hisvessels, would have added much to our acquaintance with the NaturalHistory of the places visited. Messrs. Quoy and Gaymard, Medecins del'expedition, published the Zoological part of their notes. They referwith regret to the disastrous accident which deprived them of largecollections of Insects made more particularly in the environs of PortJackson. They describe and figure but one insect from New Holland(Curculio lemniscatus from Shark Bay) a spider from Port Jackson (Araneanotacautha Quoy, Dolophones notacantha Walckenaer Apt. 1 383) in whichthe brown callosities at the end of the cylindrical abdomen were takenfor eyes, a position rectified by Walckenaer as above and by Kirby in hisBridgewater Treatise where he gives a copy of the French figure of thissingular spider--Two Crustacea, one (Ocypode convexus) from DirkHatterick's and the other (Pagurus clibanarius) from Shark Bay, are allthe Annulose animals described or figured as coming from New Holland, from the pitiable circumstance above alluded to. )

The figures and descriptions of Guerin, though fewer in number, are moredetailed than those of Dr. Boisduval, who was much limited for space. 

It would take up too much time to give a tithe of the names of theentomologists who have described New Holland insects* as nearly everyworking student of insects abroad and at home has added to the list. 

(*Footnote. The entomologist who would attempt to do this must give aUniversal Entomological Bibliography, as scarcely a Journal or volume ofTransactions of any Scientific Society appears without containing feweror more species from the great Australasian Continent and its islands. )

Messieurs Audouin, Blanchard, and Boisduval will shortly publishdescriptions 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, andMannerheim have all more or less added to our acquaintance with thespecies. Many New Holland Arachnida and Pacific Ocean Crustacea have beendescribed in the well-known works of the Baron Walckenaer and Dr. MilneEdwards. In this country Kirby, Hope, Curtis, G. R. Gray, Waterhouse, Shuckard, Newman, and Westwood have been the principal scientific men whohave attended to species of annulosa. Bennett, Mr. Surgeon Hunter, Darwinand Major Mitchell, when opportunities offered, collected many speciesand neglected not the subject of their habits; the last-mentioned havingalso described (specifically) one or two species in his interesting work. Macleay's Appendix to Captain King's voyage* is universally known. 

(*Footnote. King (Captain Philip P. , R. N. , F. R. S. Etc. ) Narrative of aSurvey of the Intertropical and Western Coasts of Australia performedbetween the years 1818 and 1822 2 volumes London 1827. Appendix Catalogueof Insects collected by Captain King, R. N. , 192 species of Annulosa, 188Insects, 4 Arachnida pages 438 to 469; "eighty-one of the species arenew. " In this paper Macleay institutes a Curculionidous genus nearPhalidura, which he names Hybauchenia, the type being H. Nodulosa. Carpophagus type C. Banksiae "would probably with Linnaeus have been aBruchus. " Megamerus "has an affinity to Sagra, but differs from thatgenus in having setiform antennae, porrect mandibles, and securiformpalpi, its habit is also totally different, and more like that of some ofthose insects which belong to the heterogeneous magazine called Prionus;it is undoubtedly the most singular and novel form in Captain King'scollection. " Type M. Kingii. )

Curtis and Haliday have published and are engaged in publishing thedescription of Annulosa collected by Captain King, while those collectedby Mr. Darwin on the voyage of the Beagle have been entrusted to Mr. Waterhouse, who has published descriptions of some in the EntomologicalSociety's Transactions and in the Annals of Natural History. Hope'spapers in the Zoological Transactions and the Coleopterist's Manual arewell known, as are Mr. Newman's in different Magazines and Annals. Werejoice to see in a late number of a small periodical sheet exclusivelydevoted to Entomology* and edited by this gentleman a letter from Mr. Davis, containing some interesting information regarding the insects ofAdelaide; and in the same periodical there are many New Holland insectsdescribed. Much may be expected from Messrs. Macleay and Swainson, bothat present in the South Sea islands, and it is to be hoped that in ashort time the fruits of their researches will be before the public. Mr. Gould collected many insects on his Ornithological expedition to NewHolland, descriptions of which, from the pen of the Reverend F. W. Hope, may shortly be looked for. 

(*Footnote. The Entomologist, conducted by Edward Newman. London VanVoorst in Monthly Numbers. )

The north-west coast of New Holland has been but little investigated, andyet in that quarter the late Allan Cunningham gathered a rich harvest ofrare and unknown species; but it would take too much space to tell whatparts have not been searched for insects, suffice it to say that the SwanRiver settlement, Kangaroo and Melville islands, Adelaide, Sydney, andHobart Town seem all peculiarly rich in species, and what may we notexpect from New Zealand, from the samples already given of its entomologyby Fabricius and Shuckard, not to mention others who have describedspecies from that locality. 

We yet hope to see a general work on the subject similar to the trulynational work on the Birds and Kangaroos at present publishing by Mr. Gould. Mr. G. R. Gray commenced such a work in quarto, and the beautifulnumber illustrated by the late Charles Curtis, containing species ofPhasmidae, it is to be hoped will not be left single. * I have only roomto add that, owing to many other occupations, I can at present give onlya very imperfect list of the species you have presented to the NationalMuseum, which were all collected by you on the shores of King George'sSound. A. W. 

(*Footnote. I see in Laporte and Gory's Histoire Naturelle etIconographic des Coleopteres, a work on Australian Insects, by theReverend Frederick W. Hope, often quoted as Synopsis of the Insects ofNew Holland, but this must be privately printed, as I have never seen itor heard of it elsewhere. 

. .. 

COLEOPTERA. 

CARENUM, Bon. Carenum perplexum. 

I think this may be the Scarites cyaneus Fabricius described from theBanksian Cabinet in 1775 (Systema Entomologiae page 249 g. 68 sp. 2. ) Itdiffers however from his description in the appendiculated thorax (thesides of which are rounded) being abruptly cut off behind, and in havingthe somewhat dilated margin there, slightly emarginate. The generalsurface of the thorax is not so bright in colour as the elytra, it hasmore of a purple reflection; a dark greenish hue prevails over theelytra, the anterior edge of each having, towards the margin, a slightbend upwards, which forms a kind of tooth, projecting slightly over thesomewhat dilated margin of the elytra, along the margin of these are atleast eight points, at first seemingly impressed, but when moreparticularly examined they appear to be raised and to have an impressedline round each of them. The head is black, the antennae and palpipiceous, the third joint in the former is longer than the second orthird, the terminal joints are (more especially) furnished with pitchyhairs. Long. Lin. 8. 

Habitat King George's Sound. Captain George Grey. 

The genus Carenum was founded by Fr. A. Bonelli in the second part of hisObservations Entomologiques, read the 3rd May 1813 and published in theTurin Transactions for 1813, * upon a specimen contained in the ParisMuseum of Natural History, which he regarded as the Scarites cyaneus ofFabricius figured by Olivier. 

(*Footnote. Memoires de l'Academie Imp. Des Sciences etc. Page 479. )

Guerin* has shown that the Arnidius marginatus Leach of the letter-pressto the Voyage de l'Astrolabe, page 33, is synonymous with Carenum cyaneumof Bonelli, as he has seen the two specimens, the former of which is inDupont's collection. 

(*Footnote. Crust. Arachn. Et Ins. Of the voyage of the Coquilleavant-propos page 7. )

M. Brulle* observes well that the Carenum cyaneum of Bonelli must bedifferent from the Scarites cyaneus of Fabricius, as both these authorsspeak of its being blue (or deep blackish green) over the whole uppersurface, while in the C. Cyaneum the blue is confined to the margin ofthe elytra; besides Olivier expressly states that the Scarites cyaneus issmaller than the Scarites subterraneus, which will not at all suit theoriginal specimen from which the learned Bonelli derived his genericcharacter. In the British Museum is the original specimen of Arnidiusmarginatus (catalogued by Dr. Leach) presented by J. Huey, Esquire, andit is very different both in size and in colour from the descriptions ofFabricius and Olivier, and the figure of the latter, ** all derived fromthe original specimen formerly contained in the Banksian collection. Dr. Boisduval's concise description (op. Cit. Page 2, page 23) answers thespecimen so named by Leach. 

(*Footnote. Histoire Naturelle des Ins. Par Messieurs Audouin and Brulle5 page 64. )

(**Footnote. Coleopt. 3 Number 36 l. 2 f. 17. )

If the figure of Carenum cyaneum, given by Audonin and Brulle in theirWork (tome 5 plate 2 f. 6) be correctly drawn, it differs veryconsiderably from Leach's specimens of Arnidius, which is a broaderinsect. 

I have not been able to see the original specimen of the Scaritescyaneus, so that in all probability it has been destroyed; it is much tobe desired that accurate figures and descriptions were made and publishedof the original specimens described by Linnaeus and Fabricius, whichexist in the Banksian and Smithian Cabinets in the possession of theLinnean Society, as well as those to be found in the Hunterian andBritish Museums. The genus Eutoma of Newman* seems to me to be synonymouswith Carenum, but different from Arnidius of Leach. 

(*Footnote. Entomological Magazine 5 page 170 Eu. Tinctilatus. )

CHLAENIUS, Bon. 

Chlaenius greyianus, new species. 

C. Supra laete viridi-smaragdinus, elytris costis tribus, suturaqueelevatis cupreis, laevibus, interstitiis laevibus; margine utraque lineapunctorum impressorum instructa; subtus piceo-niger, antennis pedibusquepiceo-nigris. 

I have named this beautiful species after the Governor of SouthAustralia; in the system it would come close to the European Chlaeniusquadrisulcatus, Illiger. (Dejean and Boisduval Iconogr. Et HistoireNaturelle des Coleopt. D'Europe 2 page 185 plate 94 f. 3) which it seemssingularly to represent. 

It is however rather a larger insect, and of a brighter green above thanany specimens of the other species which I have seen, there is less ofthe coppery tinge about its upper surface. The thorax is much narrower, the lateral margins can hardly be called depressed, and they are not atall longitudinally scooped out there, as they are in the C. Quadrisulcatus. The elytra are very distinctly sinuated towards theextremity, and the three elevated ribs are smooth and of a coppery bronzecolour, with the intervening spaces smooth (at least not granulated as inthe C. Quadrisulcatus) and have two longitudinal lines of impressedpoints, one on each side of the smooth interval. 

This short description may suffice to distinguish this beautiful species. 

Habitat King George's Sound, Captain George Grey. (British Museum. )

Staphylinus erythrocephalus, Fabricius. 

Systema Entomologiae 265 to 266 1775 Syst. Eleuth. 2 593 19. 

Oliv. Ent. 3 Number 42 sp. 9 page 12 plate 2 figure 9. 

Erichs. Genera et species Staphyl. Sp. 8 page 351 1840. 

Habitat Australia (King George's Sound) Captain George Grey, MuseumBritish. 

The specimens brought home by Captain Grey seem to me identical with theabove. Fabricius describes the thorax (truncated in front and roundedbehind) as having the anterior margin rufous in the middle, it beingwholly of a deep shining black, and as Olivier (l. C. ) remarks, the neckor narrowed collar (qui joint la tete au corcelet) is rufous yellow as isthe squareish transverse head with a black spot on the crown. Thescutellum and elytra are minutely punctured or chagrined, and hairy(except a small smooth oblong space on the shoulder of the latter) andare black with a violet tinge; in one specimen the elytra have scarcelyany of the blue tinge, and the spot on the shoulder is of a ferruginoushue; the wings are violaceous. Dr. Leach had regarded this as a distinctsubgenus, but as the name he had given it is pre-occupied in Botany, andhas not been published with or without characters, as far as I am aware, I have not given it. 

CRYPTODUS, Macleay. 

C. Variolosus, Burmeister (Westwood Monograph ined. )

Smaller than Mr. Macleay's species and of a pitchy brown, it is lessdepressed; the head is squarer and not so broad, the two tubercles aremore prominent, the mentum is deeply emarginate: antennae nine-jointed;basal joint dilated, prothorax not so transverse, much more closelypunctured: the elytra are scarcely dilated behind, shorter, and arecovered with exceeding minute punctures in addition to the larger ones. 

Inhabits King George's Sound, Captain George Grey. (British Museum. )

Mr. Westwood informed me that Professor Burmeister had sent him adescription of this species under the above-mentioned name; thecharacters are the principal of those which will appear in Mr. Westwood'selaborate memoir. I had written a description of this species andassigned a name to it, which however I withdraw. There are more than twospecies of this curious genus, first published in the HoraeEntomologicae. 

BRACHYSTERNUS, Guerin. (s. G. Epichrysus. )

B. ? (E. ) Lamprimoides, new species. Illustration 18 Insects 1. 

Viridi aureus, thorace corporeque subtus tomentosis. 

Yellowish metallic green, legs darker. The head is somewhat square, thetransverse suture being rather indistinct; the margin of the clypeus isdistinctly 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, thosebefore the 3 lamellated joints short, transverse. Maxillary palpi withthe terminal joint dilated, rather blunt at the tip, depressed above, andhollowed out at its base. Legs rather thick, the outer of the two tarsalclaws of the third pair of legs, cleft at the end, anterior tibiaeexternally sub-tridentate. Thorax with the sides somewhat angulated andnarrowly margined, rounded behind, but the sides of the posterior marginare straight, the surface is minutely punctured and covered with brownhairs, the sternum of the mesothorax is without a spine, or projectingangle; elytra in some specimens of a rich, lively, metallic, yellowishgreen, in other coppery green with the suture and margin dark green, thesurface chagreened and punctured. Underside of the body and legs darkgreen, the former covered with ash-grey pubescence, or rather longishsoft hairs. 

This insect seems to be one of those links which connect such genera asAnoplognathus, Amblyterus and Brachysternus, and it is very difficult tosay to which of these genera it is most allied. Professor Burmeister hasbegun to eradicate the Phyllophagous genera of Beetles, and from his deepknowledge of Entomology, and the particular acquaintance which he haswith the principles of general Zoology, as well as the thorough manner inwhich he means to go through all the species, much light may soon beexpected to be thrown on the subject; how true is Darwin's remark, madein speaking of a somewhat anomalous bird, "this, from its variedrelations, although at present offering only difficulties to thesystematic Naturalist, ultimately may assist in revealing the grandscheme, common to the present and past ages, on which organized beingshave been created. " (Journal and Remarks Voyage of Beagle 3 page 112. )

BIPHYLLOCERA, g. N. 

Antennae (seemingly) nine-jointed, the first joint long, much thickenedat the end, and furnished with several stiff hairs, the five last arelamelliform, the lamellae in the male long, and pinnated on one side;labium deeply grooved in the middle, notched at the tip; palpi with theterminal joints longest, sub-cylindrical; head moderate; clypeusseparated by a distinct line, basal part slightly hollowed out, as is thehead between the eyes; thorax short; elytra elongate, somewhat rounded onthe lateral edge, truncated at the end; legs slender; tibiae of firstpair anteriorly sub-tridentate, tibiae of second and third pairs withmany spines, claws of posterior tarsi entire, joints of tarsi, slender, elongate. 

In the system this would come at no great distance from the genus Serica, the compound lamellated joints are, I believe, the first noticed amongstPhyllophagous Coleoptera. 

Biphyllocera kirbyana, sp. N. Illustration 19 Insects 2 Figure 1 a andb. )

Piceo-brunnea, subtus piloso-fulvescens, thoracis margine flavescente, dorso, hirtello; elytris 9 (saltem) lineis longitudinalibus impressis, interstitiis transverse substriolatis quasi squamulatis. 

Shining, more especially on the head and clypeus, the crown of the headvery smooth, the space between the eyes with impressed punctures, theclypeus slightly notched in front; antennae pale-ferruginous; thorax withshort rust-coloured hairs, and the lateral margin slightly reflexed andpaler than the dorsal part, which is covered with short striolae, givinga squamulate appearance to it; when narrowly examined, just above therather large and bluntish scutellum, there are some distinct scatteredpunctures; thorax beneath covered with fulvous hairs. 

Habitat King George's Sound, Captain George Grey. 

There are two more or less injured specimens of this species in thecollection of the British Museum. In the same collection, from the samelocality, 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 inthe accompanying wood-cut figure 2. In the lamellae of the antennae ofthe two specimens there is considerable difference, so that probablythere may be a second species of Biphyllocera. I have given it the nameof B. Fabriciana. 

Lamprima micardi, Reiche in Guerin's Rev. Zool. 1841, Number 2, page 51. Habitat King George's Sound, Captain George Grey. 

Porrostoma rufipenne (Fabricius) Laporte Histoire des Anim. Art. Lycus rufipennis, Fabricius Syst. El. 2 page 114 to 120. Habitat King George's Sound. 

Porrostoma serraticorne (Fabricius) Lap. Lycus serraticornis, Fabricius Syst. El. 2 3 page 6. Habitat King George's Sound. 

Saprinus cyaneus (Fabricius) Erichson Uebers. Der Hister. In Klug'sJahrb. D. Insectenk. 1 page 178. Hister. Cyaneus Fabricius Systema Entomologiae page 52 7 3. Syst. El. 186 13. Oliv. Ent. 1 number 8 plate 3 f. 17. Habitat King George's Sound, Captain George Grey. 

Stigmodera roei, Hope, Synopsis of Austr. Insects page 2 number 15. Buprestis dejeaniana, Boisduval Voyage de l'Astrolabe Ent. 2 page 63plate 6 f. 6. Stigmodera cancellata, Lap. And Gory (nec Donovan) Histoire Naturelleetc. Des Col. Plate 2 f. 6. Habitat King George's Sound, Capt George Grey. 

Donovan's B. Cancellata is surely a distinct species, the serratedmargins of the elytra and other characters would separate it. I have notseen the work of the Reverend F. Hope, referred to by Messrs. Gory andLaporte, so that I am not aware whether the specific name roei ordejeaniana had the priority in publication. 

Stigmodera iospilota, Hope, var. "Syn. Etc. " Lap. And Gory, op. C. Plate7 f. 39. Habitat King George's Sound, Captain George Grey. 

Diphucrania scabiosa, Gory ? Boisduval Voyage de l'Astrolabe. Habitat King George's Sound, Captain George Grey. 

Ptomaphila lacrymosa (Schreiber) Hope. The Coleopterist's Manual part 3page 150. 

Silpha lacrymosa, Schreibers Linnean Transactions 6 page 194 tab. 20Figure 5. Habitat King George's Sound, Captain George Grey. 

Belus suturalis, Boisduval Voyage de l'Astrolabe, Ent. 2 page 304 plate 7Figure 20. Habitat King George's Sound, Captain George Grey. 

Catasarcus rufipes (Hope) Schoenh. Gen. And Spec. Curc. 5 gen. 109 sp. 2page 814. Cneorhinus stigmatipennis, Boisduval Voyage de l'Astrolabe 2 page 349. Habitat King George's Sound. 

Helaeus echidna, new species. Illustration 20 Insects 3. H. Elytris triseriatim spinosis. 

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 ofspines close to the suture, and another close to the edge, where thedilated part commences: the central rows of spines are not continued tothe tip, the spines being placed irregularly; they are also much largerthan those of the side row. General surface of thorax and elytra verysmooth, shining, the dilated parts of thorax and elytra with the surfacesomewhat undulated. 

Inhabits King George's Sound, Captain Grey. 

EMCEPHALUS, Kirby Zool. Journal 3 page 524. 

Emcephalus (Cilibe) tricostellus, new species. 

Much larger than the E. Gibbosus, of a dirty brown, glossed, and widemargin of elytra flat, the extreme edge somewhat turned up, the sides ofthe elytra at base are somewhat straight, but the edge soon graduallygets rounded off towards tip. Towards the suture the elytron is raised soas to form a very prominent keel down the back of elytra; the generalsurface of the elytra is somewhat pustulose, and there are three slightlyelevated, longitudinal lines, nearly meeting (but indistinctly) behind onthe convex part of each elytron. The middle of thorax is more shiningthan the other parts, and seems to have two impressions on the back oneach side of a longitudinal, elevated dorsal line. 

King George's Sound, Captain George Grey. 

This species may belong to the genus "Cilibe Kirby, " shortly alluded toby Dr. Boisduval in the Entomological part of the Voyage of theAstrolabe. 

Hesthesis cingulatus (Kirby) Newman. Annals of Natural History 5 page 17. Molorchas cingulatus, Kirby, Linnean Transactions 12 page 472. 

Habitat King George's Sound, Captain George Grey. 

Phoracantha semipunctata (Fabricius) Newman, Annals of Natural History 5page 19. Stenocorus semipunctatus, Fabricius Systema Entomologiae 180 8 Syst. El. 2 306 8. Donovan Epitome etc. Figure. 

Habitat King George's Sound, Captain George Grey. 

Hebecerus marginicollis, Dejean. 

Habitat King George's Sound, Captain George Grey. 

Bardistus cibarius, Newman, Entomologist March 1841 Number 5 page 80. Illustration 21 Insects 4. 

Of a yellowish bay colour, the head, thorax, and basal part of the threefirst joints of the antennae darker; the elytra soft, margined, withthree parallel raised lines, not reaching the tip, the outer is on theside and not so distinct as the other two; there is also a short onerunning from the base of the elytron near the scutellum, and soon forminga margin to the suture. The antennae are slightly hairy outside. (In theaccompanying figure they are represented much too short. ) There are a fewshort hairs at the rounded tip of the elytra. 

Habitat King George's Sound, where it seems to be very abundant, forminga favourite article of food with the natives who call it Barde; it iseaten in its imago as well as its larva and pupa states. 

"It is found in the Xanthorrhoea. The grubs are white, have a fragrantaromatic flavour, and form a favourite article of food amongst thenatives. They are eaten either raw or roasted, and frequently form a sortof dessert after native repasts. The presence of these grubs in agrass-tree is thus ascertained. If the top of one of these trees isobserved to be dead, the natives give it a few sharp kicks with theirfeet, when, if it contains any Barde, it begins to give way; if thistakes place, they push it over, and breaking the tree in pieces withtheir hammers, extract the Barde. " Captain Grey's manuscript. 

Paropsis, Oliv. 

There are several beautiful species of this genus found at King George'sSound, where they seem to take the place of the Tortoise beetles(Cassididae). When alive, they have, like many of the Cassidae, the mostbrilliant lustre, their resplendent colours disappearing soon afterdeath. 

Coccinella tongataboae, Boisduval Voyage de l'Astrolabe Ent. It. Page 595plate 8 figure 24. 

Habitat King George's Sound, Captain George Grey. 

. .. 

ORTHOPTERA. 

Blatta subverrucosa, new species. 

Apterous, oval; thorax in front semicircular, shrouding the head;posterior angle sharp, rounded behind, the frontal edge bent slightlyback, and yellowish; the upper surface brown, rather obscure, the surfaceirregularly raised, below deep shining pitchy brown. Abdomen yellowishbrown, above sprinkled with dark brown, the edges of each segment withseveral small wart-like prominences; two first segments being alsoshagreened at the sides, beneath pitchy brown, segments at the base blackwith green reflections; the femora are pitchy brown; the tibiAe paleyellowish with black spines; the tarsi of a deeper yellow; head darkbrown, the trophi and a narrow line on the cheeks yellowish; antennaesomewhat ferruginous. 

Habitat King George's Sound, Captain George Grey. 

A large apterous species. 

Mantis latistylus, Serville, var. Orthopt. Suites de Buffon page 179. 

Habitat King George's Sound, Captain George Grey. 

Mantis rubrocoxata, Serville ? Orthopt. Page 203. 

Habitat King George's Sound, Captain George Grey. 

Acheta ? marginipennis, new species. 

Thorax black with a yellow line above; head as wide as the thorax, with ablunted projection in front between the antennae, which are very long andsituated in a groove in front of the eyes, and have their basal jointvery large. No ocelli visible. Thorax wider than long, somewhat narrowerin front than behind. Hemelytra very transparent, longer than theabdomen, lying flat upon one another, the outer margin bent down; thehorizontal portion has many irregular nerves; there are two longitudinalnerves at the angle formed by the bent down outer margin, which extendfrom base almost to the tip, the spaces between these nerves being of ayellowish colour, the general colour greyish, there are several obliqueparallel veins on the bent down margin; wings very short; posterior legsvery long; femora much thickened, brown, at the base very pale; analappendages very long and hairy. Somewhat allied to the Acheta arachnoidesof Westwood, figured in the Naturalist's Library, Introduction toEntomology, volume 1 plate 6. 

Habitat King George's Sound, Captain George Grey. 

Tympanophora pellucida, new species. Illustration 22 Insects 5. 

Antennae very long, arising from between the eyes, labrum heart-shaped, eyes very large, prominent; ocelli 3, the first the largest, situatedbetween the antennae, the two others being placed on the sides of aslight groove behind them. Prothorax widest behind, in front not so wideas the head; abdomen small, two of the segments on the back withprojecting knobs; anal appendages in the male short cylindrical, slightlyhooked inwardly, furnished at the end with two teeth, the surface isrough 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 andsecond pair of legs are rather stout, the tibiae having two rows ofstrong spines on the underside; the hind legs are long and slender, theunder surface of the tibiae being but slightly denticulated. The head isgreen, the front inclining to yellow, the crown is reddish brown, eyesgreen, ocelli yellow, two basal joints of antennae green, the remainderrust coloured; prothorax green, brown behind, with a broadish line ofsame colour down the middle; body rusty green, each segment with a duskyring; elytra pale green with few longitudinal nerves, but many crossones; wings of a very pale green; anterior legs of a pale brown, femoraof second and third pair green; the tibiae pale brown, the tarsi andjoints darker. 

Habitat King George's Sound. 

This genus is not far removed from AEcanthus Serville; when the wings areclosed it somewhat resembles a species of the African genus Pneumora;(the figure should be reversed. )

Saga denticulata, new species. 

Head yellowish green with a brownish tint; the cheeks below the eyes andan irregular mark above the clypeus brownish in some specimens; labrumyellow, in some at the base brown; mandibles pale at base, succeeded by areddish brown hue, the cutting edges being black and shining; antennaelower half green, terminal portion brownish green; prothorax withouttransverse grooves, the surface with minute wart-like prominences; elytra(in male) pale green with darker reticulations, the inner edge with arosy hue; abdomen of a dark dull green above, beneath pale; legs green, changing into yellowish and brownish; the two rows of spines on theunderside of the femora and tibiae short and blackish; anal appendages inthe male knife-shaped, with a broad tooth at base. The ovipositor offemale has the edges quite smooth beneath. 

This species is but half the size of the Saga serrata. 

Inhabits King George's Sound. 

This species belongs to Serville's second division, or may possibly forma third, as in the males there exist rudiments of wings. Each of theelytra has a clear space like a tympanum; the upper part of the prothoraxis smooth, the sides and posterior part are very slightly bent back, thelast segment of abdomen notched at the end. 

Tropinotus cinnamomeus, Serville Orthopt. Page 620. Gryllus australasiae, Leach Zool. Misc. 1 page 56 tab. 24 ?

Habitat King George's Sound. 

Calliptamus carbonarius, Serville Orthopt. Page 691. 

Habitat King George's Sound, Captain George Grey. 

Calliptamus brunneus, new species. 

Head smooth, of a light brown; antennae somewhat red, at the tipbrownish; ocelli yellow; the four facial keels distinct; thorax lightbrown behind with foveated impressions, amidst which arise a few longishprominences, transverse grooves feeble, dorsal keel very distinct. Elytralonger than the body, slightly opaque, light brown, with a few indistinctspots; wings scarcely as long as the elytra, with a greenish hue, exceptat the tip which is brownish; abdomen brown, shining, palest beneath, segments keeled above, posterior tibiae of a bright red, sides at thebase yellowish, spines black, posterior femora with two brown bands onthe upper edge about the middle. 

Inhabits King George's Sound. 

. .. 

HYMENOPTERA. 

ONCORHINUS, Shuckard. 

[Family Thynnidae Shuckard. ]

My reasons for establishing the family Thynnidae I shall expose in mymonograph of that family, which would have been published ere this butfor the difficulty of procuring specimens for dissection; and as I mustfor a similar reason defer the positive character until I publish thesynopsis of the whole, I will give those negative ones which arecomprised in the differences which distinguish it from Scotaena of Klug, and from which it may be separated by its much swollen and protuberantclypeus, being considerably less emarginate. Genae scarcely conspicuous. Antennae longer and more porrect; second submarginal cell as long as thethird; abdomen broader at the base, its ventral surface concave;hypopygium scarcely carinated laterally, and pygidium prominent anddeeply emarginate, its lateral edges produced into acute teeth. Externaldifferences apparently so small, and which might elsewhere be deemedinadequate to the establishment of genera, become important in thisremarkable family, from their being confirmed by the structure of thetrophi, and the strong distinctions exhibited in their females in everyinstance that has yet presented itself to me, wherever I have had thecertainty of specific identity in these heterogynous insects, from thedirect observation of my friends in Australia. 

Oncorhinus xanthospilos, Shuckard. 

Black--clypeus, mandibles, lower portion of face in front of eyes, anarrow streak above and behind them--anterior margin of collar, tegulae, tubercles and adjacent part of epimerae--a round spot on each side ofeach segment of the abdomen, except the terminal one--apex of the femora, the tibiae and tarsi, all yellow; the posterior tibiae being only brownwithin, and the extreme apex of the joints of their tarsi also brown. 

Habitat King George's Sound. Length 11 lines, expansion of the wing 18lines. 

This is a unique species in the genus as far as I have yet had theopportunity of ascertaining. 

W. E. S. 

NEUROPTERA. 

Bittacus australis, Klug. Monogr. Panorp. Berlin Transactions sp. No. 11. 

Habitat King George's Sound. 

HEMIPTERA. 

CHOEROCYDNUS, n. G. 

Head broad, in front somewhat truncated; ocelli wanting; antennaefive-jointed, second joint longest, third, fourth and fifth, somewhatthickened and nearly equal; beak reaching to base of last pair of legs, if not beyond; third joint the longest; thorax in front notched forreception of head, not so wide as the body; scutellum long and pointed, the line separating it from hemelytra very indistinct; hemelytra withouta membrane at the end; tibiae very spiny; abdomen broadest behind; tarsiof fore-legs very feeble, two-jointed, second joint shorter than thefirst, and ending in two claws. 

Choerocydnus foveolatus, new species. Illustration 23 Insects 6. 

Dark pitchy brown; head, thorax, and body margined with hairs; head aboveminutely punctured, an elongated space in the middle, smooth; thoraxabove minutely punctured with some larger impressed dots, and irregularlyshaped smooth spaces, the coriaceous part pitted; antennae and tarsilight ferruginous. 

Inhabits King George's Sound. 

LEPIDOPTERA. 

Papilio liris, Godart. Encycl. Meth. 9 Papilio page 72 no. 132. BoisduvalSpec. Gener. Des Lepidopt. 1 page 269 number 92. De Haan. Bijdr. Etc. Verh. Nat. Geschied. Etc. Zool. Insecta tab. 4 f. 3 page 40. 

It may perhaps be not altogether foreign to the purpose of this list tosay that in the collection of the British Museum there are two specimensof this species from the North-west coast of New Holland, where they werecollected by the late Mr. Allan Cunningham. The whole of his collectionwas bought by Mr. Children, and many of the rare Lepidoptera in it werenamed by Mr. G. R. Gray. Godart's description of the body agrees exactlywith the male in the national collection, les cotes et le bout del'abdomen d'un rouge-carmin tendre. Boisduval, in the standard work abovealluded to, says of this species, dessous et extremite de l'abdomen d'unrouge carmin. FEMELLE SEMBLABLE AU MALE, sur quatre individus que nouspossedons, AUCUN NE VARIE. In one of the Museum specimens (a female) theabdomen is nearly entirely black, and the brown in both specimens is ofthe same rich deep shade that is found in the Papilio polydorus. Theabdomen may possibly be that of some other species, as the specimen isnot in very good condition. I regard the specimens from the north-westcoast of New Holland as a slight local variety. Godart's specimens camefrom 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 Historyof the Dutch colonies in the East and West Indies, etc. Has described andfigured "the female" of this species with the following note; hisspecimens were from Timor-Kupang. On the lower side of both wings thereis a carmine anal spot placed at the end of the yellow band and graduallyrunning into it, this spot is larger and more deeply coloured in the malethan 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 thelatter (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 deKennis der Papilionidea, in the Verhandel. Over de Natuurl. Geschied etc. Zool. No 3 tab. 4 f. 3 1840. )

Pieris aganippe (Donovan) Boisduval var. Lepidopt. 1 page 457. Papilio aganippe Donovan Ins. Of New Holland. 

Habitat King George's Sound. 

Hipparchia merope (Fabricius). 

Habitat King George's Sound. 

Hesperia ? Sophia. Illustration 24 Insects 7. 

Above, brownish black; upper wings varied with bluish grey scales, manynear the outer margin arranged into a somewhat regular series; atransverse, slightly bent, white band runs from near the outer edge closeto the tip, to near the middle of the wing; wings fringed with greyishand black; under wings brownish black, with fulvescent orange spots and aband, one small spot somewhat transverse, near the middle, beneath this abroadish band extends from the anal margin nearly to the outer side ofwing, which is divided by a brown line, leaving an irregular squareishspot, attenuated towards the outer margin; on the margin are threedifferently-shaped dots beginning from the internal margin, and in one ofthe specimens are four slight lunules, growing fainter as they approachthe outer margin. Beneath, upper wings with two transverse fulvescentorange bands, one near the centre, the other at the tip, broadestexternally, with three black spots, the outer largest running into itnear the margin, interiorly it is much contracted ending in spots; thebase of the wings is yellowish grey, under wings yellowish grey at base, otherwise very similarly marked, the outer part of the orange band havingtwo longitudinal whitish lines on it; antennae at base fringed withwhite; club brown. Body above silky yellowish brown; borders of segmentslighter; beneath, greyish white. 

Inhabits King George's Sound. Capt George Grey. 

This seems to belong to a new genus not far removed from Castnia orCoronis. 

Hecatesia thyridion, Feisthamel. Illustration 25 Insects 8. 

1. Hecatesia thyridion female. 1a. Do. Male upper side. 1b. Under. 1c. Fenestra in wing of male. 1d. Section of fenestre. 2. Hecatesia fenestrata male. 

Lepidopt. Voyage Favorite Supplement plate 5 f. 1 male. 

Female alis longioribus, maculis albis triseriatis alarum anticarummajoribus, nulla macula diaphana fenestrata ad costam. 

The genus Hecatesia was founded by Boisduval in 1829, * upon a singularZygenidous insect sent to Latreille by Mr. Alexander Macleay, from NewHolland, in some part of which it does not seem to be uncommon. 

(*Footnote. Essai sur une Monographie des Zygenides page 11. )

The species H. Fenestrata Boisduval (l. C. Page 11 plate 1 f. 2) wasbrought by Mr. Hunter, Surgeon of Captain King's expedition, and by himpresented to the British Museum. Another species has been described bythe 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 inthe collection presented to the British Museum, and I take the presentopportunity of describing the female of this species, only remarking thatit wants the fenestrated clear space in the upper wing. **

(*Footnote. Lepidopteres nouveau, etc. Supplement a la Zoologie du voyageautour du monde de la Favorite sous le commandement de M. Laplacecapitaine de Fregate. )

(**Footnote. At first, from the body being so much more slender than inthe fenestrated specimens, I thought it might be the male but, on showingthe specimen to Mr. Edward Doubleday, he pronounced it a female. 

The H. Thyridion is distinguished from the H. Fenestrata by its largersize, and a third yellowish white interrupted band close to the base ofthe 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 whiteand black bands, the black bands are continuous on the sides, while thewhite pass on the sides into the deep ochry-yellow of the upper side; theabdomen 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 awhitish spot behind them. 

The female of this species brought by Captain Grey has the upper wingsmore developed; the three interrupted whitish bands are composed, atleast the two outer, of three spots, larger than in the female; thelittle bluish white spots on the deep brown part of the under side of thelower wing are also nearly obsolete; the sides of the body are notfringed as in the male; and the apical tuft is very small indeed. 

The most marked character however is the want of the fenestrateddiaphanous spot in the upper wing, which being a most prominentcharacteristic in the examples of this species already recorded, makes ithighly probable that they have all been females, and that this is thefirst time that the male has been alluded to. 

The beautifully striated and waved surface of the glassy spot, taken inconnection 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. 

Cossodes lyonetii, new species. Illustration 26 Insects 9. 

Wings black, with violet, purple, and green reflections; upper with alongitudinal line, broken by the black of the wing near the base, theother part extending to the tip of the wing, sinuated anteriorly, andelbowed posteriorly; near the posterior margin are two irregular whitespots, the upper sub-triangular, the under squareish; on the apicalmargin are seven whiteish spots, the first very minute, the secondlargest, the others gradually diminishing towards the long white linewhere 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; thelower 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 abroader line than the black; beneath it is violet black, and black with agreenish tinge. The thorax and body in the specimen described is rubbed;the latter seems to be blackish green, banded with white. I have seen aspecies closely resembling the above in Dr. Boisduval's immensecollection. 

Habitat King George's Sound. Captain George Grey. *

(*Footnote. The Saturnia laplacei, described and figured by the BaronFeisthamel in his description of the Lepidoptera collected on the voyageof the Favorite is synonymous with the Chelepteryx collesi, described byMr. G. R. Gray in the First Volume of the Transactions of theEntomological Society of London page 122. )

Odonestis elizabetha, new species. 

Antennae, with the pectinations rusty brown, lighter at the tips, thestem densely covered with white scales, palpi and head in front deepferruginous. 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 areddish hue, densely covered with hair-like scales, with shorter andsomewhat square scales beneath, the scales over the nervures, beingreddish; an indistinct line of seven obscure spots still moreindistinctly connected by a zigzag reddish line, runs across the wingnearly parallel to its apical margin, and nearer the tip of the wing thanthe 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 wingsof a blush red, the fringe fawn coloured; underside of both wings, moreof a brick colour than the upper surface of second pair; the fringes fawncoloured; the second pair with a very indistinct band, nearly parallel tothe posterior margin; the nerves on the first pair of wings are lighterthan the general ground, on the second pair darker; space between thefirst pair of legs densely clothed with long ferruginous hair; two hindpair of legs with two strong spurs, one rather shorter than the other;the tibiae have each a tuft of yellowish white hairs, the legs themselvesare covered with short ferruginous scales or hair, those on the soles ofthe tarsus being somewhat ochrey in colour. 

Trichetra isabella. Illustration 27 Insects 10. 

Alis anticis albis, fasciis tribus apiceque nigris, maculis subocellatisduobus inter fasciam secundam tertiamque, maculis octo apicalibus;posticis nigris, basi anguste, apiceque marginali ochraceis. (10 figures1 and 3)

Antennae destroyed. Triangular tuft between the eyes, reddish ochre, thesides brown; hairs on thorax white, with a yellowish tinge. The upperwings have their general surface white, the margin at the base beingochrey-orange; there are two black parallel bands suffused towards theouter margin, and in this way connected; a third somewhat diagonal bandis in this manner also connected with the second; near the margin thereis also a connection between the second and third bands by means of abrownish band interspersed with white scales, and in this are twosubocellated spots, white, with an ochrey-orange roundish pupil; thesecond just in front of the third band white in front, and ochrey-orangebehind; behind the third black band there comes a narrow band of whitescales, with an ochrey-orange spot at the end near the outer margin. Thetip of the wing is (broadly) velvety brown, with eight marginal whitishspots; the fringe is mixed with black and ochrey; the ochrey tingeing theposterior margin of some of the outer spots. 

The under wings are velvety brown; the base being obscurely ochrey; theyellowish colour running up into brown; the fringe behind is ochrey. 

The under wings are ochrey at the base; the outer margin of the firstpair being dark brown; the brown of the second pair is scolloped on themargin as is that of the first. The body above, on the sides and on themargin beneath, is covered with velvety black hair; beneath there is asomewhat indistinct longitudinal brownish band down the middle. 

The hairs on the end of the body are longish, and not in a dense closeeffused tuft as in the female; the legs are hairy, the brushes beingblack and yellowish white. 

Female: Alis anticis albis fasciis tribus brunneo-nigris apicebrunneo-nigris. 

Maculis 8 (saltem) marginalibus antice albis, postice ochraceis. 

Alis posticis, basi ochraceis, fascia, apiceque late brunneo-nigris, margine postico subaurantiaco. Illustration 28 Insects 11. 

Since the figure of this was drawn from one of the two rather injuredspecimens presented by Captain Grey, I have seen another specimen infiner condition, from which I shall take the more particular descriptionof the bands on the upper wing. 

The head and thorax are covered with long and close hairs; the tuftbetween the eyes being of a brownish ochrey colour; the sides blackish. The hairs on the fore-part of the thorax are ochrey-brownish, graduallypassing into white on its general surface, which however has more or lessof a yellowish tinge. 

The upper wings are white and covered with longish loose scales. Near thebase is a narrowish transverse dark brown band, with another considerablybefore the middle of the wing running parallel to it; behind the middlethere is a third band, the inner extremity being at the same distancefrom the second band as the second is from the first; but it graduallyslopes away towards the outer margin, and is thus nearly parallel to theposterior margin, which has also a brown band, scolloped behind, and withat least eight spots on the margin, which is of a brownish yellow, as inthe outer margin. 

The under-wings, from the base to the middle, and (narrowly) on the outermargin and behind, are brownish ochrey; the other half of the wing isblackish brown, scolloped behind; and having an indistinct ochrey bandpassing transverse through it, which ochrey band has some darker-colouredscales mixed with it. 

The undersides of both wings differ but little from the upper sides; theupper pair more especially however have on the basal and submarginalparts longish ochrey coloured hairs instead of white scales. 

The body above is, at the base, ochrey; the sides, and two or three othersegments brownish black, darkest just in front of the large thick-settuft of brownish orange hairs at the extremity; beneath, down the middle, is a band of brownish orange, the segments to the sides of this beingblack at the base and orange at the tip; the legs are varied with blackand ochrey white. 

This seems congeneric with the Arcturus sparshalli of Mr. Curtis, described in the 7th volume of the British Entomology, folio 336, as aBritish insect; but there seems doubt of the correctness of this. Thename, having been pre-occupied in Natural History, has been changed byMr. Westwood to Trichetra, in page 92 of the Generic Synopsis, appendedto his Introduction to the modern Classification of Insects. 

The Bombyx tristis is figured (figure 2) on the same block with the T. Nephthis. 

Agagles amicus, new species. 

A new species, at first sight resembling Leptosoma annulatum, Boisduval(Voyage de l'Astrolabe 1 page 197 plate 5 figure 9) but differs; thethorax having four longitudinal, narrow, light-coloured lines, the bandacross the upper wings is more continuous, and the circular spot onlower, larger. It is about the same size, and has the body ringed withblack and yellow; the legs are brown; the femora on underside fringedwith whitish hairs, simply pectinated; many of the pectinations of theantennae end in a bristle-like hair; palpi somewhat prominent; last jointpointed. 

. .. 

The illustrative figures were drawn by Mr. B. Waterhouse Hawkins, andengraved on wood by Mr. Robert Hart, of Gloucester Street, Queen'sSquare. 

THE END.