168 On the Natural History of the Blue Mountains. 



two races of the Oceanic Isles, which we designate by the names 

 of the Oceanic and Mongolian branches. We shall unfold our 

 ideas on this subject more particularly in a separate essay. In 

 the mean time, it is probable that the negroes of New Holland 

 have extended into the Australian Continent by New Guinea 

 and the eastern islands, and that their migration has been made 

 from the coast of Africa by the great island of Madagascar, 

 which had itself, at a later period, received men of other races. 

 Be this as it may, the number of inhabitants of the county of 

 Cumberland is rapidly diminishing ; — and these stupid savages, 

 insensible to all that has been tried for their improvement, have 

 only derived from the Europeans vicious habits, which hasten 

 their destruction, such as an inordinate taste for spirits. Syphilis 

 and smallpox have also at length committed their ravages among 

 them. If the number of native inhabitants is diminishing, that of 

 the indigenous animals is also decreasing in a remarkable manner, 

 and the period is not far distant when all the civilized parts will 

 be destitute of kangaroos, ornithorynchuses, &c. Already the 

 emeu (Casuarius aiistralis, Shaw) no longer inhabits the plain 

 called by its name, and which it formerly filled. This enormous 

 gallinaceous bird has fled beyond the Blue Mountains, or beyond 

 the limits of cow pasture. The great kangaroo {Kangurus la- 

 hiatus^ Geoffi'.) is now only seen in a state of domestication. I 

 observed several of them feeding at large in the west park of 

 Rose Hill, at Paramatta, raising themselves upon their hind 

 feet, to observe what was going on around them, and flying ofl*, 

 when disturbed, by long bounds, lighting, at the same time, up- 

 on their short fore feet. This animal, the hard and coriaceous 

 flesh of which is in little estimation, as it is only the hind quar- 

 ters that are employed for making ordinary soups, is tamed with 

 extreme facility. One was shewn me at Port Jackson, which 

 had been brought up by a soldier of the garrison, and which 

 punctually obeyed the orders of its master. It was a great 

 adept at boxing. This kangaroo shewed a great degree of cou- 

 rage, did not hesitate to attack a dog, and made use of its hind 

 legs or tail for striking those whom it wished to fight, by throw- 

 ing itself upon them with a sudden and very high bound. With 

 its master it betook itself to sport, and played only with its two 

 fore feet, without seeking to injure him. 



