AUSTRALIA. 115 



with an ordinary cranium, would be killed outright; but owing to 

 the great thickness of their skulls, this seldom happens with the 

 natives. The challenged party now takes his turn to strike, and the 

 other is obliged to place himself in the same posture of convenience. 

 In this way the combat is continued, with alternate buffets, until one 

 of them is stunned, or the expiation is considered satisfactory. 



4. What are called wars among them may more properly be con- 

 sidered duels (if this word may be so applied) between two parties of 

 men. One or more natives of "a certain part of the country, consi- 

 dering themselves aggrieved by the acts of others in another part, 

 assemble their neighbors to consult with them concerning the proper 

 course to be pursued. The general opinion having been declared for 

 war, a messenger or ambassador is sent to announce their intention to 

 the opposite party. These immediately assemble their friends and 

 neighbors, and all prepare for the approaching contest. In some 

 cases, the day is fixed by the messenger, in others not; but, at all 

 events, the time is well understood. 



The two armies (usually from fifty to two hundred each) meet, and 

 after a great deal of mutual vituperation, the combat commences. 

 From their singular dexterity in avoiding or parrying the missiles of 

 their adversaries, the engagement usually continues a long time with- 

 out any fatal result. When a man is killed (and sometimes before) a 

 cessation takes place; another scene of recrimination, abuse, and ex- 

 planation ensues, and the affair commonly terminates. All hostility is 

 at an end, and the two parties mix amicably together, bury the dead, 

 and join in a general dance. 



5. One cause of hostility among them, both public and private, is 

 the absurd idea which they entertain, that no person dies a natural 

 death. If a man perishes of disease at a distance from his friends, his 

 death is supposed to have been caused by some sorcerer of another 

 tribe, whose life must be taken for satisfaction. If, on the other hand, 

 he dies among his kindred, the nearest relative is held responsible. A 

 native of the tribe at Hunter's River, who served me as a guide, had 

 not long before beaten his own mother nearly to death, in revenge for 

 the loss of his brother, who died while under her care. This was 

 not because he had any suspicions of her conduct, but merely in 

 obedience to the requirements of a senseless custom.* 



* It is said, however, that the harshness with which the Australian women are treated 

 by their husbands sometimes induces them to retaliate by mixing poison wilh the food of 

 the men. The custom referred to above may possibly have arisen from this cause, and 

 would then be not so wholly unreasonable as it may, at first sight, appear. 



