Lower Murray Aborigines. 15 



have been the only great terror they ever had, and the only 

 instance they have of great numbers being carried off at one 

 time b}^ the same disease. 



Their food consists chiefly of fish, but they have many 

 other kinds, such as kangaroo, emu, opossum, and wild fowl 

 of the aquatic species, abundance of which inhabit the lakes 

 and lagoons. They have also a farinaceous root which grows 

 abundantly on the marshes ; it is very nutritious, and quite 

 as palatable as the best potatoes. It can be got in any quan- 

 tities, but it is hard work digging it up, therefore it is not 

 often procured. The fibre of this root they make into fishing 

 lines and nets ; it is very strong, and lasts very long in the 

 water without rotting. They make duck nets of this fibre 

 also, fifty or sixty yards in length, which they stretch across 

 lagoons about three feet from the water, placing themselves 

 at intervals along the lagoon On each side in the trees, wait- 

 ing until the ducks are put to flight by some one sent for 

 that purpose. As soon as the ducks come wheeling along 

 the lagoon, the natives in the trees imitate the whistle of a 

 hawk, which makes the ducks in fear fly close to the 

 water, and so into the net. Sometimes they catch as many 

 as three dozen at one time in this manner, without a single 

 mesh breaking. 



Their dialects are not known to philologists, nor is it pos- 

 sible to obtain a correct knowledge of them, in consequence 

 of the multifarious pronunciations and accentuations used. 

 Their dialects are very meagre and limited ; for example, 

 their numerals are confined to two alone, viz., politi, ryup, 

 the former signifying two, and the latter one. To express- 

 five, they say ryup rmirnangin, or one hand, and to express 

 ten, politi murnangin, or two hands. In speaking of a large 

 number, such as fifty, they say col col, and if of a very 

 great number, such as -a flock of sheep, they say kirtowel, or 

 countless. They do not possess any powers of comparison 

 whatever ; if asked which of two things is the best, such as 

 flour and sugar, they will reply " twofellow." Hereunder 

 are a few of their proper names : — 



Milloo, the Murray, or other large river. 



Pannoomilloo, small river. 



Bcimawur, a creek. 



Pannoo Bammvur, small creek. 



Hayarmie, water. 



Wanup y fire. 



Nowie, the sun. 



