MALLERY. | IN AUSTRALIA. 163 
they have traced. Much ability is displayed in many of these representations, the 
subject of which could be discovered ata glance. The number of specimens are im- 
mense, so that the natives must have been in the habit of amusing themselves in 
this innocent manner for a long period of time. 
These savages of Australia, who have adorned the rocks of Depuch island with 
their drawings, have in one thing proved themselves superior to the Egyptian and 
the Etruscan, whose works have elicited so much admiration and afforded food to 
so many speculations, namely, there is not in them to be observed the slightest trace 
of indecency. 
Fic. 181.—Petroglyphs in Depuch island, Australia. 
Fig. 131 shows a number of the characters drawn on these rocks. 
They are supposed to represent objects as follows: 
a, a goose or duck; b, a beetle; c, a fish, with a quarter moon over, considered to 
have some reference to fishing by moonlight; d, a native, armed with spear and wom- 
mera or throwing stick, probably relating his adventures, which is usually done by 
song and accompanied with great action and flourishing of weapons, particularly 
when boasting of his powers; e, a duck and a gull; /, a native in a hut, with portion 
of the matting with which they cover their habitations; g, shark and pilot fish; h, 
a corroboreeo or native dance; i, a native dog; j, a crab; k, a kangaroo; /, appears 
to be a bird of prey, haying seized upon a kangaroo rat, 
