242 



resorted to, the fight will last longer, and perhaps several may be 

 wounded ; but as a rule, as soon as one is hurt, the fight is over, 

 and they then become friendly and chat together. 



98 101. There is no special rule as to diet for fighting-men on 

 the war-path, and those who remain in the camp gather honey, 

 fruits, roots, berries, tfec, for the warriors on their return. This 

 is an occasion for holding a corroboree, which varies in import- 

 ance, according to the amount of success gained. Slain- foes are 

 not mutilated. 



102. On killing an enemy the victor does not observe any 

 special rites, but he is looked upon as a great warrior and feared 

 by his friends. Those killed in battle are buried with rather 

 more pomp than at an ordinary death, their names and deeds 

 being specially mentioned at their usual corroboree after the 

 bones are deposited in their last resting-place. Even when they 

 are not victorious a corroboree is held. The ghost of a warrior 

 killed in battle never appears; this is because " Gnabya " is 

 satisfied with his deeds. Any individual who has distinguished 

 hiiiiself in the engagement is made the hero at the corroboree, 

 and his name is mentioned in all corroborees of a warlike 

 character ; he is also presented with a set of war implements. 



Government. 



103. They have no definite form of government. The chiefs 

 have very little power beyond directing wars or conducting 

 ceremonies. 



104. The chieftainship is hereditary only as far as sons and 

 brother's sons are concerned ; failing such heirs, a new chief is 

 elected from the elder members of the tribe who have dis- 

 tinguished themselves. The chieftain has no badge or anything 

 special about him whereby he may be distinguished. 



Oaths and Ordeals. 



105. No ceremonies are performed in meeting friends or in 

 forming new friendships. The question of making friends is 

 quite foreign to them, that is as we understand the term. They 

 fraternise with individuals or near neighbours, but a fight may 

 occur on the slightest provocation. In the case of a stranger 

 trespassing on the country of distant tribes he is warned-ofi' at 

 once, and he will be fortunate if he be not treated as a spy and 

 killed. Since the approach of the white man all this is dis- 

 appearing, and the natives of any part of Australia can travel 

 among most of the tribes without much fear of being molested. 

 Nevertheless, there are a few tribes at the present day that will 

 kill any stranger, white or black, that trespasses on their country. 



106. They have no special forms of oath, and will make all 



