NAMES OF PLACES. 



It is deeply to be regretted that the opportunity for securing the native names 

 of places has, in many districts, gone for ever. In most localities the aborigines 

 are either dead or too young to have learned the names which their fathers 

 gave to the various features of the coimtry ; and in those parts where a few old 

 men are still to be met with, the white inhabitants, generally speaking, take no 

 interest in the matter. With a very few worthy exceptions, they have done 

 nothing to ascertain and record even those names which appertain to their own 

 properties. How much more interesting would have been the map of the colony 

 of Victoria had this been attended to at an earlier period of its history. 



The following are the native names of some conspicuous places in the 

 Western District, and, as far as could be ascertained, their meanings. It must be 

 noticed that rivers have not the same name from their source to the sea. 

 The majority of Australian streams cease to flow in summer, and are then 

 reduced to a chain of pools or waterholes, all of which, with their intermediate 

 fords, have distinguishing names. The river which connects these waterholes in 

 winter has no name. Every river, however, which forms one continuous stream 

 during both summer and winter has a name which is applied to its whole 

 length. For example, Taylor's River, or Mount Emu Creek, is called " Tampirr," 

 " flowing water," from its source in Lake Burrumbeet to its junction with the 

 Hopkins. At the same time, every local reach in these rivers has a distinguishing 

 name. 



Ixxviii 



