POPULATION. 



CHAPTER II. 



POPULATION. 



In attempting to ascertain the numbere of individuals in tbe different tribes, it 

 has been found almost impossible to make the aborigines comprehend or compute 

 very large number, or even to obtain, from the very few now alive, an 

 approximate estimate of the aggregate strength of the tribes of the Western 

 district previous to the occupation of the country by the white man. It has 

 been found necessary to ascertain from some of the most intelligent middle-aged 

 persons among them, first, the number of friendly tiibes which met annually in 

 midsummer for hunting, feasting, and amusements, — occasions of all others the 

 most likely to draw together the largest gatherings, — and then the average 

 strength of each tribe. 



These great meetings were held at Mirrfewuae, a large marsh celebrated 

 for emus and other kinds of game, not many miles to the west of Caramut. 

 This place was selected on account of its being a central position for the meetings 

 of the tribes occupying the districts now known as the "Wannon, Hamilton, 

 Dunkeld, Mount William, Mount Rouse, Mount Napier, Lake Condah, Dimmore, 

 TaiTone, Kangatong, Spring Creek, Framlingham, Lake Boloke, Skipton, Flat- 

 topped Hill, Mount Shadwell, Darlington, Mount Noorat, Camperdown, Wardy 

 Yallock, and Mount Elephant. None of the sea coast tribes attended the 

 meetings at Mirrfewuse, as they were afraid of treachei-y and of an attack on the 

 part of the others. According to the testimony of the intelligent old chief 

 Weeratt Kuyuut, and his equally intelligent daughter Yarruum Pai-puiT 

 Tan-neen, and her husband, Wombeet Tuulawaiu, when two of these tribes 

 fought a pitched battle, each mustered at least thirty men ; and for every able- 

 bodied warrior present (and no one durst absent himself on such an occasion 

 under the penalty of death) there would be at least three members absent, as the 

 old men, women, children and invalids were kept at home ; thus making an 

 average of one hundred and twenty in each tribe ; and, as the twenty-one tribes 

 enumerated were generally present, there must occasionally have been the large 

 gathering of two thousand five hundred and twenty aborigines. 



