PROCEEDINGS OF SECTION F. 387 



mechanical ideas which have crowded into the sphere of intelligent 

 choice between right and wrong. The pound of flesh I will grant 

 to Nemesis: but, in the name of human nature, not one drop of 

 blood — not one drop." 



But nature, we now know, is no Nemesis. Our merciful mother 

 exacteth no pound of flesh from a dutiful son, the returning 

 prodigal or her latest-born and best-beloved daughter. 



1.— SOCIAL ORGANIZATION OF SOME WESTERN 

 AUSTRALIAN TRIBES. 



By Mrs. D. M. Bates. 



Introduction. 



The aborigines of Western Australia may be classified, accord- 

 ing to their social organization into a certain number of types : — 



I. Northern Division — 



1. East Kimberley. 



2. West Kimberley. 



3. East Pilbara. 



4. West Pilbara. 



5. Ashburton. 



6. Gascoyue (Lower and Middle). 



7. Upper Murcliisou. 



8. Lower Murchison. 



9. Laverton (Eastern Qold-fields). 

 10. Southern Cross. 



II. Champion Bay Division. 



III. South-western Division. 



IV. Southern Division. 



V. South-eastern Division (Eucla). 



In the Northern Division all the ti'ibes except 4, 5, 6 (partly), 

 and 8 (partly) practise circumcision. 



In the Champion Bay Division (II) circumcision was practised 

 within (about) 20 miles of Geraldton. 



In the South-eastern Division (Eucla) circumcision and sub- 

 incision were practised. 



Divisions III and IV (South-western and Southern) did not 

 follow this custom. 



