64 NOTES ON THE LAST LIVING ABORIGINAL OF TASMANIA. 



and placed in the ranks of tlie half-castes. Mr. Walpole 

 states that " her colour is a very dark brown," but I should 

 rather term it a blackish-brown, and showing the true 

 aboriginal tint. On this point it must be remembered 

 that from her infancy she has been encircled within 

 the pale of civilised life, and shielded from the 

 severities of weather and privations to which otherwise 

 she would have been exposed,— all this, together with her 

 surroundings, must naturally have, in some degree, tended to 

 exercise a modifying influence. The same as to her hair, 

 which, if less woolly and like a mop, has no doubt been 

 combed and brushed out to some small extent of its original 

 fluffiness to reconcile it to the model of the hair of the white 

 children with whom she was brought up, and which she would 

 naturally strive to imitate. 



The question at issue may appear, at first sight, to be a 

 mere personal matter, and of comparative unimportance, but 

 it is in reality much more than that, and has acquired a 

 scientific aspect deserving of attention. There is reason to 

 believe that the theory of Strzelecki has influenced many to 

 concurrence in his views, and to disregard or overlook the 

 cogency of facts opposed to it. Lieut. Friend, as we have 

 seen, disputes the dictum referred to, and has adduced 

 strong evidence in support of his objection. Thus an interesting 

 problem has heen presented for solution. 



All controversy, however, must now be regarded as finally set 

 at rest, since the adoption by Parliament, after due inquiry, 

 of two resolutions passed, respective^, in Sessions 1882 and 

 1884, by the first of which the pension of Fanny Smith was 

 increased from £24i to <£50 per annum, and by the second 

 that a grant deed of the 100 acres of land she at that time 

 occupied, and for the 200 acres additional then presented to 

 her, should be issued to Fanny, free of cost ; both votes 

 being passed on the ground specified of her being the last 

 survivor of the aboriginal race. 



Discussion 



Mr, Stephens asked the writer of the paper not to press 

 the matter too strongly on the Society. While Parliament 

 was free to act at its discretion in entertaining a claim, the 

 Eoyal Society would not be justified in showing any amiable 

 weakness in the same direction. If, however, he threw out 

 a challenge to ethnologists, he ran the risk of depriving 

 Fanny Smith of what she now enjoyed. He was certain the 

 paper would be well received, and the writer must not 

 attribute any failure to discuss it on its merits to any lack 

 of appreciation. 



