THEPACIFIC OCEAN. lat 



fifli, at leafl, made a part of their food, from the many ^777. 

 heaps of mufcle-fhells we faw in different parts near the 

 fhore, and about fome deferted habitations near the head of 

 the bay. Thcfe were little fheds or hovels built of flicks, 

 and covered with bark. We could alfo perceive evident 

 figns of their fometimes taking up their abode in the trunks 

 of large trees, which had been hollowed out by fire, mofl 

 probably for this very purpofe. In or near all thefe habita- 

 tions, and wherever there was a heap of fhells, there re- 

 mained the marks of fire ; an indubitable proof that they 

 do not eat their food raw. 



After flaying about an hour with the wooding party and 

 the natives, as I could now be pretty confident that the latter 

 ■were not likely to give the former any diflurbance, I left 

 them, and went over to the grafs-cutters on the Eafl point 

 of the bay, and found that they had met with a fine patch. 

 Having feen the boats loaded, I left that party, and returned 

 on board to dinner; where, fome time after, Lieutenant 

 King arrived. 



From him I learnt, that I had but jufl left the fhore, when 

 feveral women and children made their appearance, and 

 were introduced to him by fome of the men who attended 

 them. He gave prefents to all of them, of fuch trifles as he 

 had about him. Thefe females wore a kangooroo fkin (in the 

 fame fhape as it came from the animal) tied over the fhoul- 

 ders, and round the waifl. But its only ufe feemed to be, 

 to fupport their children when carried on their backs; for 

 it did not cover thofe parts which mod nations conceal; 

 being, in all other refpecfls, as naked as the men, and as 

 black, and their bodies marked with fears in the fame man- 

 ner. But in this they differed from the men, that though 



9 their 



