178 Manners and Customs of the Australian Natives, 



Their habitations are of a very simple and primitive con- 

 struction. In the summer^ and in dry fine weather, they 

 heap up some branches of trees, in the form of a horseshoe, 

 for protection against the winds ; in the Avinter, and in Avet 

 weather, however, they make a kind of hut or bower Avith 

 the branches of the casuarina, in the shape of a deep niche, 

 and erect them as perpendicularly as they can, thereby to 

 facilitate the dripping off of the rain. In those parts of the 

 country where they have gum trees (eucalyj)ti) they peel off 

 the bark, and fix it so Avell together as to make the roof quite 

 waterproof. In front of these huts they always bi\rn a fire 

 during the night for warming their feet, and in the cold 

 Aveather every one lies betAveen a small heap of burning coals 

 in front and at the back, for keeping Avarm the upper part of 

 their body. As the slightest motion must bring them into 

 contact with these burning coals, it naturally occurs that they 

 at times seriously burn themselves. 



The time they remain in one spot altogether depends on the 

 locality, and the supply of food obtainable. 



In several parts of Port Lincoln there are isolated wells or 

 holes in large rocks, containing a supply of water, while not 

 anyAvhere else, Avithin 30 miles, a drop of it is to be found ; 

 the natives, as long as they remain in that neighbourhood, are, 

 in consequence, obliged to return every night to the same camp. 

 In places favourably situated for fishing they Avill extend their 

 stay in the same camp for twelve or fourteen days, but never 

 longer. 



The habit of constantly changing their places of rest is so 

 great that they cannot overcome it, even if staying Avhere all 

 their wants can be abundantly supplied. A certain longing 

 to revisit this or that spot, for which they have taken a par- 

 ticular fancy, seizes them, and neither promises nor persua- 

 sion can induce them to resist it for any time; only in time 

 and by degrees is this feeling likely to give Avay. As they 

 travel greater distances during the summer months than 

 during winter, they then also more frequently change their 

 places of rest. 



Each family has its distinct place, where they live together; 

 and all unmarried men have to sleep by themselves. 



All the aborigines in the Port Lincoln district are divided 

 into two separate classes, A'iz., the " Matteri " and the 

 " Karraru.^^ 



This division seems to have been introduced since time 

 immemorial, and with a view to regulate their marriages, as 



