EY JOHN MACPHERSON. 683 



separated and went different ways, and so founded different 

 tribes and acquired separate languages. The tribes then became 

 distributed in groups. As a rule three tribes — no more — 

 thoroughl}'^ understood each other's tongue. Outside these 

 groups of three, although different tribes could make themselves 

 comprehended, they were not completely conversant with one 

 another's language. Appended are some of these groups, set 

 down just as I was informed, but I fear containing many incon- 

 sistencies. 



1. Koombainga, Boorkutti and Danggetti thoroughly under- 

 stood each other. 



2. Himberrong understood Inuwon but not Enniwon as well. 



3. Inuwon, Enniwon and Yookumbul thoroughly understood 

 each other. Further, Enneewin presented marked affinities to 

 Ngarrabul. 



4. Marbul, Ngarrabul and Yookumbul understood each other. 



5. Kweembul, Ngarrabul and Marbul understood each other. 



6. Ngarrabul, Kweembul and Yookumbul. Kamilroi was 

 but little understood by Ngarrabul. 



7. Kweembul, Ginniebal and Wolroi. Beegumbul was not 

 intimately known by this group, but possessed many affinities 

 to it. 



8. Wolroi, Ginniebal and Koomilroi. 



9. Kaoambul, Beegumbul and Wigalwollumbul. 



10. Koombainga and Bundela were closely related. 



In the early days aboriginals were very numerous in Central 

 and Northern New England. Present residents can well remem- 

 ber the times when Oban, Deepwater, Guyra, Wellingrove, &c., 

 were the scenes of large concourses of the dusky inhabitants. 

 The remnants of the tribes are now comparatively few and 

 degenerate, yet in some ways clinging tenaciously to their old 

 tribal customs. At Wellingrove, when I left the district in 1901, 

 was located an old native named Peter Perry. Perry was born 

 at Yugilbah. As a lad he was taken away by the whites, but 

 again returned to his old habits and joined the Ngarrabul tribe. 

 After the extinction of the tribes he moved to Inverell, but 



