250 



:iny time through continuous adverse seasons, this supposition 

 appears to be the most probable one ; and the adoption of this 

 plan appears to furnish tlie most practical solution of this im- 

 portant problem, which lias engaged some of the foremost 

 thinkers of the civilised world during many decades. If, how- 

 ever, the very retarded mental development of the Australian 

 race is taken into consideration ; if it is further borne in mind 

 that most of them cannot conceive a number beyond three ; that 

 they are the most improvident beings on the face of the earth : 

 that cannibalism is practised by nearly all the tribes ; that chil- 

 dren are destroyed immediately after birth or later, and are often 

 allowed to succumb through neglect ; that throughout the whole 

 continent the superstition prevails of killing by the " pointing of 

 the bone," it must be admitted that their ideas are far too dis- 

 torted for them to have invented a system for the prevention of 

 over-population, which involves an enormous amount of fore- 

 thought, and would, moreover, require a clear conception of the 

 multiplication table. When it is further considered that the 

 distinguishing characteristic of the Australian race is their im- 

 providence, and that the lives of their enemies are readily 

 sacrificed and their fiesh eaten, the natural result of over-popula- 

 tion would most likely be a more extended cannibalism, as has 

 been the case in nearly all the South Sea Islands from the same 

 cause. It is highly improbable that this race in its present 

 state of mental development could possibly have conceived a 

 system with a high ethical tendency, whilst their actions contra- 

 dict a sentiment of such deep philosophy. And, furthermore, 

 although they have stringent matrimonial laws in one respect, 

 their sexual desires are so strongly developed that even licen- 

 tiousness is at times freely indulged in, in the face of which fact 

 alone it seems improbable that they are likely to deprive them- 

 selves of the least portion of the pleasure of coition. This must, 

 however, to some extent follow the slitting of the urethra. In 

 consequence of the mutilation of the male organ, the female has 

 to submit to an incision by which the vagina is enlarged towards 

 the lower side. This must also tend to reduce the excitement to 

 be derived from sexual connection, and seems, therefore, com- 

 pletely against the natural propensity of these beings. 



The fact remains undisputed, nevertheless, that the rite is pei-- 

 formed, and that it acts with great efl'ect in retarding population 

 cannot be doubted ; but whatever its origin may be and whence 

 it has been communicated to the blackfellow is a mystery. 



Considering this extraordinary rite, together with their com- 

 plicated marriage laws, the existence of which have been authenti- 

 cated by almost everyone who has become acquainted with the 

 customs of the blacks, besides other remarkable features of intel- 



