ABOKIGINES OF TASMANIA. 187 



In conclusion, to sum up the result of our enquiry, we 

 find, ( 1 ) That the aboriginal population probably did not 

 exceed 2000 : (2) that there were four main groups of 

 tribes ; viz. — (a) South ; (b) West and North-West ; 

 (c) Central and East ; (d) North and North-East : 

 (3) that these groups were divided by strongly marked 

 differences of language : (4) that the Southern and 

 Western tribes were completely isolated from those on 

 the eastern side of the island, and that a similar separa- 

 tion existed between the North and North-E astern tribes 

 on the one hand, and those of the Centre and East on 

 the other : (5) that within the groups each tribe and 

 sub-tribe probably occupied a definite district which was 

 recognised as its special territory : (6) that the tribes 

 within each group, though generally leagued together, 

 were at times at feud with each other : (7) that in later 

 years, after the European occupation, the tribes — espe- 

 cially those of the east and centre of the island — laid 

 aside their differences, and made common cause against 

 the white intruders. 



