20 



The natives appeared to be fond of music, and readily 

 caught up new tunes. They had, however, no instruments, 

 and when singing, seemed to aim more at exciting the 

 feelings than charming the ear. Some had been noticed to 

 have been most powerfully affected by our National Anthem 

 and martial music, to which they kept time by beating 

 sticks together. Their language had hitherto been imper- 

 fectly studied, but as far as it had been there was reason to 

 believe that all the various dialects could be traced to a 

 common root. 



It was by no means an uncommon thing for the natives 

 to converse at immense distances — a mile apart not being 

 too far, according to Grey and Mitchell. The reason for 

 this was sufficiently obvious, when we considered the way 

 in which they were obliged to scatter themselves through 

 the woods in search of food or water. 



Many of their customs regarding marriage and relation- 

 ship were very curious. The principle of clanship seemed 

 to be recognised, and that of territorial possessions 

 descending in certain families. Marriages were usually 

 forcible ones, the bride being often beaten into insensibility 

 ere she was earned to her new abode. Polygamy wa3 

 common ; but no person was allowed to ally himself with 

 one of the same name or family. 



In every encampment the married people had a spot to 

 themselves — the young men sleeping one mile on one side, 

 and the young women one mile on the other side of them. 

 These places were always taken before darkness came on, 

 after which no one dared to stir, for fear of some spirit 

 supposed then to have power. 



Intermarriage with whites was common, but the offspring 

 was almost invariable destroyed. Infanticide did not com- 

 monly prevail ; but as there was great difficulty in rearing 

 children attempts to procure abortion were constantly 

 resorted to, and without any apparent attempt at conceal- 

 ment. Infants were usually nursed till four or five years 

 old, and generally carried astride the mother's shoulder. 



The idea about death was remarkable. They considered 

 it, invariably, as resulting from the evil machinations of the 

 magician of a neighbouring tribe, and incantations were 

 resorted to over the grave of the deceased, to learn who was 

 the offender. Some answer was always pretended, and the 

 relations at once set out in quest of blood ; as soon as any 

 one of the obnoxious tribe had been killed, the search was 

 allowed to drop, and justice was satisfied. This absurd 

 custom, of always doubling the stroke of death, had doubt- 



