444 PROCEEDINGS OF SECTION F. 



4. THE VICTORIAN ABORIGINE AS HE IS. 

 By Natalie Bobarts. 



Cor^ANDERRK ABORIGINAL STATION. 



(Comnuinicated by L. W. G. Biichner.) 

 [abstract.] 



The Victoriaii aborigines, who now number only 133, are fast- 

 dying out. The chief causes of the great mortality among them 

 are, firstly, the contracting of vices and diseases by associating 

 with the inferior and unscrupulous whites; secondly, the 

 attempting of the impossible task of changing the habits of a 

 savage and nomadic people into those of a highly civilized race. 

 The natives receive food, raimant, medical aid, and all the 

 comforts of life from our Government. The incentive to action 

 and exertion, which their native life supplied, is now gone, and 

 they have settled into a listless and aimless mental and physical 

 life. They soon became an easy prey to diseases, and tuberculosis 

 has caused great ravages among them. 



A few of the early characteristics of tlie race are found in 

 the remnant of Victorian blacks. Their sight is keen and strong; 

 their natural instinct for tracking footprints and path finding is 

 still existent, as is also their delicacy of hearing. The sense of 

 smell is undeveloped. The odour peculiar to the blacks is 

 increased by muscular exertion, and does not disappear on bathing. 

 The love of sport, so natural to the race, shows itself in the 

 keen interest taken in amusements of all kinds. Fishing is a 

 favorite pastime, especially among the women. 



Civilization has developed a latent taste for drawing, and the 

 liandwriting in many cases is very good. They possess a natural 

 aptitude for music; their singing is now sweet, mellow, and 

 appealing; church singing particularly is entered into vnth heart 

 and soul. 



Sometimes they make use of very poetical expressioiis. Memory 

 is only slightly developed. Ideas, as to lapse of time, are very 

 vague ; attention wearies very quickly ; perseverance is not an 

 attribute, this is shown by their handicrafts. The natives are kind 

 and affectionate to each other, particularly to the aged and infirm, 

 and are hospitable to their friends and relatives. Impulsive and 

 warmhearted one moment, jealous and resentful the next, quickly 

 impassionate, they are ready to fight over very little, and just 

 as ready to forgive. Children, like their parents, exiiibit strong 

 passions, and are without any great will power. They are inclined 

 to be untruthful and cowardly, but are affectionate. The natives 

 are very imaginative, for we hear them talk of apparitions that 



