241 



HUXTING AND FlSHIXG. 



81. Their principal way of catching fish is by staking the 

 mouth of small salt-water creeks during high tide, and filling the 

 spaces between the stakes with grass ; in this way a great num- 

 ber of fish are caught. On large creeks the bars, or junctions of 

 fresh and salt waters, are favourite fishing places. The Yanderlin 

 Island tribe are most expert canoeists, and with the dugong-spear 

 they can capture any number of these animals. 



82. No special custom is observed in hunting and fishing, 

 except absolute silence, all communications being made by signs. 

 A big corroboree generally succeeds a successful hunting tour. 



83-84. The women and children left at home during the absence 

 of the hunters gather honey, fruits, &c. ; and there are always a 

 few men left in the camp, in case of a surprise by any neighbour- 

 ing tribe. On returning from the chase they generally have a 

 big dance, and the hunter who has been most successful is 

 decorated Avith kangaroo teeth, which are hung round his fore- 

 head from the hair. 



85. No ceremony is observed with regard to the animals slain. 

 They burn the bones — that is, if their dogs leave any about the 

 camp. They always have a lot of dingoes with them, and it is 

 quite common to see a native woman suckling a young pup ; they 

 are, in fact, quite as fond of their dogs as they are of their 

 children, and if one of the former is killed or dies, they make a 

 dreadful row. They also put the dead dogs into the branches of 

 a tree on a stage, but after that pay no attention. 



Agriculture. 



86-96. They do not till the ground, and agriculture is not 

 attempted in any shape or form. They will even without thought 

 or care destroy their best fruit-trees. 



War. 



97. No ceremony is observed before going to war. It is rather 

 amusing than otherwise to watch a conflict between two tribes. 

 I have seen some terribly hard knocks given, but as a rule there 

 is far more talk than anything else. When there is any serious 

 difference between two tribes, they meet on an open space. A 

 warrior steps forward armed with waddy, throwing stick and two 

 or three spears, struts about and works himself into a most 

 furious rage ; another warrior on the opposite side at the same 

 time goes through the same antics ; and presently one of them, 

 having arrived at the proper pitch of passion, throws a spear, 

 or the two warriors will drop their spears, and come to close 

 quarters with their waddies. When one of them is knocked down 

 or gets his waddy broken, the row is all over ; but if spears are 



