in particular of the Port Lincoln District. 177 



surrounding burning scrub ; and l)ciug, in addition to all tbisj 

 deprived of a sufficiency of water. In order then to allay 

 their thirst, they resort to the strange trick of covering their 

 stomachs M'ith earthy in order to cool thcm^ and which, they 

 say, has the desired effect . 



The average distance which the blacks travel in a day is 15 

 to 20 miles ; but on one occasion myself, with three natives, 

 and a Moman carrying a child, walked 35 miles on an 

 exceedingly hot day. 



On their journey the men generally ramble about, but the 

 women juid children, under charge of one or two men, proceed 

 in a direct course to their place of rendezvous. 



In the morning they arc never in a hurry to make a start, 

 and at times it requires a great deal of coaxing and persuasion, 

 on the part of some of the older men, to get them into a re- 

 gular move. 



On arrival at their camp or place of rest, generally a little 

 before sunset, the first thing they do is to kindle a fire for 

 roasting the small game Avhieh the men have secured during 

 the day. The larger game they roast on the spot Avhere it has 

 been killed, which renders it anything but desirable to fall in 

 with emus or kangaroos when travelling in company of blacks, 

 if anxious to reach any fixed place at a certain time. The 

 remnants of a large roast they hang upon sticks, and thus 

 carry it to the camp. 



After eating their meat, the women hand round the roots 

 and fruits Avhich they have gathered during the day; and after 

 having done with these also, they chat and sing ; and if as- 

 sembled in large numbers, they dance until tired, then lie 

 down for sleep. If there should happen to be a large supply 

 of meat beyond that required for supper, they stay up the 

 whole night to finish it ; but if, after all, anything should re- 

 main over, they put it into a bag, which they make serve 

 them as a pillow, and, on opening their eyes in the morning, 

 their first move is towards the bag for its contents. 



As patiently as they bear up against the cravings of hunger 

 and thirst at times of want, as immoderate also are they when 

 in abundance, when they overload their stomachs almost to 

 bursting, and will not stir from the camp until their stock is 

 exhausted, and hunger almost forces them to move. 



The only cases in which they evince any forethought of the 

 future is in their great care for birds' nests, and for water, to 

 secure and protect which against animals they cautiously cover 

 all their springs with stones or branches of trees. 



N 



