249 



then thrown on the embers. A dense volume of smoke issues 

 from the grass, and the leaves igniting immediately forces the 

 smoke upwards. 



If two triljes happen to meet unexpectedly they form their 

 camps so that each is nearest to his own country. The trespass- 

 ing party explains why they are there, and if the explanation 

 is satisfactory, a friendly corroboree wil] probably be held, other- 

 wise a fight may ensue. At some of these accidental meetings 

 women may be exchanged. 



They are very expert in many ways, and it is surprising how 

 quickly they can make a spear and have it ready for action ; 

 they are also very clever at making rope, which they use for 

 dugong fishing. The rope is made from the bark of the Currajong- 

 tree, a species oi Brachyclnton, which these natives call "Myaddo.'^ 



In the foregoing paper I have endeavoured to the best of my 

 ability to give a simple and unvarnished description of the 

 manners and customs of these tribes, and trust that something 

 of importance may be gathered from it. I must confess that 

 many of the writings I have seen on the subject have been 

 merely fancy pictures presented for the sole purj^ose of causing 

 w^onder and excitement. As I have previously stated, any infor- 

 mation obtained from them must be their own statement, and 

 not the answer to a leading question, however it may be put to 

 them ; to all such they are only too apt to reply, " Yes, that is 

 the case." 



T shall continue my investigations, and will always be too 

 happy to send to the Museum anything special that I may 

 obtain from the natives, or anv information that will be of use. 



Borroloola 



40 miles up river 



,28.5 



