Geographical and Ethnographical Section. 53 



having a definite object before tbem, will have a gi-eater 

 interest, and more zeal in the work. 



The interesting paper in our last volume from the pen of 

 Mr. Beveridge, on the Murray Natives, is a fair sample of 

 the information possessed by the settlers and others, and 

 there can, I think, be little doubt that by giving a judicious 

 direction, and an object to the inquiries of such gentlemen, a 

 very large amount of valuable information will be obtained 

 by them, in addition to the facts already in their possession. 



That such inquiries as those 1 now suggest, more especially 

 in reference to ethnography, should be taken up Avithout 

 delay will admit of little debate, for it is well known 

 that many of the native tribes are rapidly disappearing, and 

 in all human probability in a few years, some of them will be 

 extinct. 



Such is virtually the case with the natives of Tasmania. 

 Whilst in New South Wales and Victoria, and, I am 

 informed, even so far north as Riverina, they are rapidly 

 disappearing. The formerly numerous tribes of the Yarra 

 Yarra, the Goulburn, Gipps Land, Geelong, and other parts 

 of Victoria, have dwindled to a few scores, and those remain- 

 ing, unless more fortunate than their brethren of Tasmania, 

 must in a few years, like them, die out. 



Under such circumstances it is high time that this, or some 

 other kindred Society, should initiate the requisite steps for 

 obtaining, and rendering in a permanent form, the most 

 complete available records of the manners, customs, and 

 dialects of the native tribes, together with such measurements 

 and portions of the skeletons, which are necessary for com- 

 parison with each other, and with remoter nations. 



Of the various tribal lano-uao-es or dialects, the most 

 copious vocabulary is desirable, of words referring to simple 

 things of common use, not only for comparison with each 

 other, but with those of the nations and tribes of other 

 portions of the world, to assist in elucidating the problem of 

 human affinities, and the original derivation of stock. 



Some progress has already been made in this branch of 

 science by explorers, and by ethnologists who have visited 

 our coasts from time to time, but fi'om the limited sources of 

 information within reach of most of them, little more than the 

 boundaries of such knowledge has been passed, and it yet 

 remains as a reward, for the persistent efforts of some society, 

 having the requisite organization and machinery, to eliminate 

 full and complete information on these questions whilst such 



