229 



and the whole plant of others, which they drink. Thus they sue 

 Callitris verrucosa, Acacia se7itis, A. strophiolata, Stemodia, 

 Cynanchum jiorihundum, tfec. 



d. DRESS. 



These aborigines are absolutely nude. They practise a certain 

 decoruEu, which decrees that the two sexes keep 10 to 15 paces 

 apart when they meet, and if necessity compels a closer approach 

 they keep their backs towards one another, or the women step 

 quickly aside. But during quarrels, or in the event of sickness 

 or death, all modesty is thrown aside, and they mix indiscrim- 

 inately together. In winter they remain between the tires until 

 the sun shines warmly. If they have to go away, they take a 

 fire-stick with them for warmth or to rekindle another if neces- 

 sary. If they have none they make tire by means of two sticks, 

 which they rub together, holding tinely-scraped shavings to the 

 rubbed place. Usually they employ their shield, which is of soft 

 wood, for this purpose, together with the tmera, which is of 

 harder wood. 



European clothing they like very well. If they can get hold 

 of any old rag they put it on, even if it be only a stocking, boot, 

 hat, or waistcoat, often presenting a ludicrous appearance. Such 

 an article of clothing will circulate among them, one wearing it 

 to-day, another to-morrow. But they have no idea of taking 

 •care of clothing, which speedily becomes destroyed. 



e. ORNAMENTS. 



In ornamenting their bodies the natives devote much time and 

 care, especially the men, which includes anointing it with fat to 

 make it shine. Tattooing is also practised, which they call 

 7crh7nalilama ; it is performed on the chest and upper arm, and 

 consists of longitudinal and transverse lines. Usually the son 

 adopts the pattern of his father, but sometimes chooses one ac- 

 cording to his own taste. Both sexes tattoo themselves. It is 

 done during childhood, either by themselves or by others for 

 them. Some of the natives have a great number of scars on the 

 chest and arm, produced by scratching the skin lightly with their 

 irgalla, or stone knife, or else with a small piece of wood, nfjala, 

 or with the shinbone of a kangaroo, about six inches long, and 

 pointed at one end, and then applying powdered charcoal to the 

 wounds, which causes thick rounded scars. Their hair is inter- 

 twined with string dyed white with clay, and ornamented with a 

 tuft of white feathers, called tidualja. Sometimes they wear 

 three tufts of rats' tails, viz., one in front of the forehead, and 

 one on each side ; these they call albeta. Through the septum 

 of the nose they bore a hole, quite near the point, through wliich 

 the kdkara is worn. This ornament is made of the wiuL^bone of 



