394 PORT ESSINGTON. 



of a larger kind, however, than any I have observed 

 elsewhere ; the head of their spears was made of 

 stone. They have a smaller kind, chiefly used to 

 kill birds and other animals at a considerable dis- 

 tance. They have also large heavy clubs, while the 

 natives on the vSouth coast carry only the short 

 throwing stick.* They go wholly naked, except 

 when entering the settlements, on which occasions 

 they wear a few leaves. Their canoes were chiefly 

 obtained from the Malays. 



I here saw the only musical instrument I ever 

 remarked among the natives of Australia. It is 

 a piece of bamboo thinned from the inside, through 

 which they blow with their noses. It is from two to 

 three feet long, is called ebroo, and produces a kind 

 of droning noise. It is generally made use of at cor- 

 robories or dances, some of which express feats of 

 hunting and war, while others are very indecent, 

 and reminded us of similar exhibitions in the East. 

 It was generally remarked that the old clothes 

 given to these savages disappeared in a most mys- 

 terious manner. They were understood to be sold 

 to the natives inhabiting the loftier parts of the 

 interior, but of this I entertain very considerable 

 doubt. Sand, in which the Australian continent 

 abounds, is like everything else proceeding from the 

 hand of the Creator, not without its uses. On cold 

 nights the natives make up for their total want of 



* We refer our readers to Mr. Eyre's work, whei*e these and 

 other weapons are figured. 



