QUEENSLAND ETHNOLOGICAL NOTES.— HAMLYN-HARBIS. 



QUEENSLAND ETHNOLOGICAL NOTES (2). 



By Ronald Hamlyn-Harris, D.Sc, F.R.A.I., F.L.S., &c. 



(Plates VI to X and Three Text-figures.) 

 NATIVE DOGS. 



Primitive people in many parts of the world have been knovra to specially 

 prize their dogs, and to bestow on them attention and caresses reserved by less be- 

 nighted folks for children. It has been observed that young girls are more often than 

 others cUsposed to go beyond the recognised limits of familiarity with such pets. 

 On accomit of its utility for hunting, the native dog is a possession of considerable 

 value, and though it may be lean and mangy and have a dowiacast air and be repulsive 

 generally, it beds with the best of the camp though deprived of its due share of the 

 fruits of the chase. It has been quite a common practice for the blacks of North 

 Queensland, not only to admit dogs to the freedom of their beds, but for the women 

 to suckle pups.i and I am fortunate in being able to illustrate a concrete instance of 

 an act wliich may almost seem incredible unless supported by well-authenticated 

 and graphic testimony.* During the recent visit of the Chief Protector of Aborigines 

 (Mr. J. W. Bleakley) to Mornington. Island (Gulf of Carpentaria) he was fortunate 

 enough to surprise a woman in the act, but as soon as Mr. Bleakley was observed 

 the inbred shjaiess of the race manifested itself and the woman tried to hide the 

 puppies— which were about a week old— under her legs, and it was only with great 

 persuasion that she was induced to allow the animals to continue their feeding 

 imdisturbed.2 This enabled Mr. Bleakley to obtain the accompanying photograph 

 (Plate Vl), to whom I am indebted for its loan. 



iln making this statement, however, there is nevertheless just a vag^ie possibility that 

 the native may be aware that by prolonging tlie period of lactation the possibility of pregnancy 

 is correspondingly reduced. 



* [Mitchell recorded this practice in 1838 (Three Exped. Int. Eastern Australia. II , p 

 311), whilst Gerard Krefft noted it in his article on the Aborigines of the Lower Murray and 

 Darling in 180.5 (Trans. Phil. Soc. N.S.W., 1806, p. 372).— Editor.] 



= I have confirmation of this practice from Captain Malcolm Smith of the " Melbidir," 

 E. J. Banfield, Northern Queensland, and M. J. Colclough, Northern Territory, as well as Northern 

 and Southern Queensland. 



