Anthropological Excursion to Coggera Cove. 59 



as the English named him, was a very athletic man, whose 

 skeleton was a real prize for the pm^poses of comparative 

 anatomy. Close to the spot where, according to Johnny, the 

 last remains of the Australian chief reposed, were large quan- 

 tities of empty oyster- shells, indicating that the place in ques- 

 tion had once been a favourite resort of the " blacks," attracted 

 thither by the prolific yield of this place in those shell- 

 fish, one of their most highly appreciated articles of food. At 

 various spots traces of fires were visible. The aborigines of 

 the coast usually bury their dead clothed in the woollen 

 blanket they wore in life, with the heads seaward, and near 

 the coast, with but a few feet of earth over them. Unfortun- 

 ately we had our pains for our reward, although Johnny re- 

 peatedly assured us he had himself, in picking up shell-fish, on 

 that very spot seen projecting from the sand human bones, that 

 frightened the superstitious fellow from prosecuting his 

 search in that direction. Indeed, Johnny was positive some 

 other exploring naturalist had been there and walked off" with 

 our contemplated anthropological prize. 



We returned, our object unachieved, to our boat, and so 

 back to Coggera Cove, where we found tea and chocolate 

 prepared in the renowned " black pot," that figm-es so much 

 in bush life, off which we made an excellent repast. With 

 true kindliness Mr. Hill shared what we had brought with us 

 with the aborigines, who, on their part, showed themselves 

 very obliging and attentive. 



A second excursion, still in Mr. Hill's company, was made 



