AUSTRALIA, OR NEW HOLLAND. 105 



a 



shelter themselves from the inclemencies of the weather under 

 decayed trees. In truth, they are a strange race ; and the 

 greatest wonder is that there should be so great a dissimilarity 

 between them and the natives of the surrounding islands — ■ 

 not only are they altogether unlike in personal appearance, 

 but in every other respect. Most of the other islanders 

 have light brown complexions, strait hair, and are handsome 

 and active — live together in villages, under the government of 

 something like bands, and in the internal arrangement of 

 their huts, manner of living, &c, exhibit quite a correct idea 

 of domestic comfort ; but these, on the contrary, lead a life 

 literally that of wild animals. 



Both sexes have the disgusting practice of rubbing fish oil 

 into their skins ; but they are compelled to do this as a 

 protection against mosquitoes, which are very large and bite 

 with much severity. Some of them have been seen with the 

 entrails of fish frying in the burning sun upon their heads 

 until the oil ran down over their foreheads. On particular 

 occasions they besmear themselves with red and white clay, 

 using the former when preparing to fight — the latter, when 

 going to have their dances. The women are subjected to mu- 

 tilation of the two first joints of the little finger of the left hand. 

 This operation is performed when they are very young, and 

 is done, it is said, under the idea that these joints of the little 

 finger are in the way when they wind their fishing lines over 

 the hand. While fishing the women sing. Those who occupy 

 the sea-coast live chiefly on fish, which they roast, for they are 

 ignorant of the effect of fire upon water. A story is told of 

 a shipwrecked sailor, who obtained among them the reputation 

 of a sorcerer, by boiling a potfull of water. 



The men do not confine themselves to one wife, but live 

 with two or three ; though it has been observed that the first 



