The Aborigines 19? 



available have been tainted by communication 

 and intercourse with the white man. It has, 

 nevertheless, been possible to gather from the 

 scattered remnants of the original Australian 

 race, still living in a wild state, an excellent idea 

 of life in Australia when the black-fellow roamed 

 in undisputed possession of the continent. Of 

 agriculture, he had not even the most primitive 

 idea, and relied for food upon the wild fruits and 

 vegetables of Australia, and upon the game 

 secured during his fishing and hunting expedi- 

 tions. The only animal he has ever succeeded 

 in domesticating is the dog, and every tribe of 

 blacks is still accompanied by large packs of 

 these animals. As a rule, the black-fellow is 

 fond of his dogs, and feeds them when he is able. 

 But even when they have to look after them- 

 selves, they are certainly not treated with any 

 active cruelty, nor set to fight for the amusement 

 of their masters. The dogs are useful only to the 

 wild black-fellows, who have to exist by hunting 

 for the greater part of the year. 



The same necessity which made him tame the 

 dog has also impelled him to invent the most 

 scientific wooden weapons that the world can 

 show. It is curious that, although the develop- 

 ment of the aborigine was arrested at the stage 

 of the manufacture of wooden weapons, he has 

 nevertheless succeeded in making the boomerang 

 and the woomera, both highly ingenious and 

 effective weapons, which he handles with a 



