PROCEEDINGS OF SECTIOX F. 091 



are completely preserved (30). The supraciliary ridges were very 

 prominent. The whole feature of the skull reminded me very much 

 of a beautiful specimen from Victoria belonging to my collection, thus 

 proving the unity of the race from south to north, only the width of 

 the face is a little larger in the Melville Island specimen than in that 

 from the south coast. 



On the return journey through the Apsley Strait we experienced 

 some turbulent weather, and I tried to protect myself against the 

 icy cold rain by jumping into the tepid seawater. 



In St. Asaph's Bay I had the last meeting with the aboriginals. 

 An excellent old fellow and two young men came on board, and we 

 had a great laugh and entertainment without words together. 



From Port Darwin I returned directly to Sydney at 'the end of 

 November, 1906. The last scientific work of my trip was done in 

 Tasmania, where I was most kindly assisted by Mr. Morton, curator 

 of the Tasmanian Museum. I investigated the skulls of the extinct 

 Tasmanians, which reminded me of the studies on the same matter 

 I made some years ago in Paris and London. I was pleased to find 

 Dr. Noetling in Tasmania, and to learn that we may expect from him 

 an exhaustive publication on the primitive stone implements of the 

 Tasmanians. I collected myself a good number from a native quarry 

 near Melton-Mowbray, northwards from Hobart. The soil is filled 

 Avith relics of human manufacture for a depth of 18in., which proves 

 a long continuance of work, especially if we consider that the locality 

 is the summit of a hill, in which soil is increasing slowly. I am obliged 

 to Mr. Morton for the donation of many fine specimens of stone imple- 

 ments, which I hope will be useful in the acute discussions taking 

 place in the old country regarding the Eolithic problem. I discovered 

 primitive stone implements of Tasmanoid type in many old camping 

 grounds in North Australia. There is no cardinal distinction between 

 those from Australia and from Tasmania. It is wrong to call the Aus- 

 tralian Neolithic on account of the half-polished stone axes, which are 

 scarce compared with the primitive stone implements. These imple- 

 ments show great variations which offer some similarities with those of 

 the Palfeolithic and Eohthic stages of stone technique of Europe. Many 

 Australian tribes have preserved a stage which is lower even than 

 some Eolithic types of the old country ; many used only shells. 



Deeply regretting the extinction of the Tasmanians, I think every- 

 body will agree with me if I suggest that a more enlightened treat- 

 ment of the Australian aboriginals is justifiable on scientific grounds 

 alone, apart altogether from humanitarian questions. My object as 

 a scientist is not to blame any person or any institution, but to enlist 

 the services of the white Australians in suggesting more improved 

 methods of treatment of their black brothers — methods which I feel 

 will be forthcoming when the existing conditions and the problems 

 which have to be faced are better known. 



(30) According to Major Campbell the custom of knocking out one front 

 tooth was practised among the Island people ; but I observed nothing of that 

 custom, nor of circumcision or subincision. 



