4(18 THE TROPICAL WORLD. 



They have also a superstitious horror of approaching the 

 graves of the dead, of whom they never like to speak, and when 

 induced to do so, always whisper. 



The supposed powers of the Boylyas, or native sorcerers, have 

 a mighty influence upon their minds and actions. It is supposed 

 that these privileged personages can transport themselves 

 through the air at pleasure, and render themselves invisible to all 

 but other Boylyas. If they have a dislike to a native, they can 

 kill him by stealing on him at night and consuming his flesh. 

 Another Boylya has, however, the power of drawing them out, 

 and curing the affected person by certain processes of disenchant- 

 ment. 



The absurd idea that no adult person dies a natural death 

 reigns among the Australians as it does among many of the 

 American, Malayan, and Negro tribes, and leads to the same 

 baneful consequences. If a man perishes of disease his death 

 is generally supposed to have been caused by some sorcerer of 

 another tribe, and must be avenged on his murderer, or on som'e 

 near relation of his. 



This senseless belief, inspired by the demon of discord, is of 

 course the source of frequent wars, and one of the causes which 

 serve to maintain the native Australians in their state of bar- 

 barism. The aggrieved party, anxious for revenge, assembles 

 its neighbours, to consult with them concerning the proper 

 course to be pursued. The general opinion having been 

 declared for war, a messenger is sent to announce their inten- 

 tion to the opposite party. These immediately assemble their 

 friends and neighbours, and all prepare for the approaching 

 battle. 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 i 

 or parrying the missiles of their adversaries, the engagement 

 usually continues a long time without any fatal result. When 

 a man is killed (and sometimes before) a cessation takes place ; 

 another scene of recrimination, abuse, and explanation ensues, 

 and the affair commonly terminates. All hostility is now at an 

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

 join in a general dance, for, like all other savage races, the 

 Australians are very fond of singing and saltatorial displays. 

 Their songs are short, containing generally only one or two 



