264 THE ABORIGINES OF AUSTRALIA. 



Thus far I have attempted to give some slight idea of the men of 

 this race. It is now time that something were said of the other sex ; 

 and I wish much it were in my power to draw a more pleasing picture 

 of this portion of the Australian population. No where else is it 

 possible to meet with more miserable and degraded specimens of 

 humanity than the women of Australia. Naturally small in stature, 

 from starvation their bodies and limbs appear shrunken to a degree 

 sometimes frightful to coutemplate ; and were it not for the glare of 

 the eye, the generality of them would look more like mummied skel- 

 etons, from which the soul had parted company for months, than 

 beings possessed of life. 



Every bone in the frame is visible — the shapeless arms and legs 

 seemingly destitute of muscle — the sunken eye and hollow cheek — all 

 tend to form a picture of wretchedness which beggars description. 

 And, as if their natural unsightliness were not sufficiently startling, 

 their faces, and heads, from which the hair is cut quite close, are 

 generally covered with scars and scratches, either the tokens of the 

 chastisement of an enraged spouse, or the effects of violence commit- 

 ted on themselves in manifestation of their sorrow for the untimely 

 departure of a child, or some one of their numerous relations or 

 friends; and when, upon these still bleediug wounds, chalk and char- 

 coal are smeared, it can readily be imagined how revolting is the 

 spectacle presented to view. 



The dress of the female, like that of the men, consists solely of a 

 Kangaroo skin cloak ; but to this is added a large bag, made of the 

 same material, and which hangs at the back by a strap crossing the 

 shoulders. In this bag is generally deposited the smallest child, 

 along with any other portable articles it can hold. For the purpose 

 of digging up roots, upon which they in great measure subsist, the 

 women are armed with a long stout stick, formed into a blunt point 

 at one end. "Whatever labor has to be performed in their domestic 

 arrangements devolves entirely upon them. They are the Architects 

 and Artificers in erecting the family mansion. In their journeyings 

 they carry the extra spears and other weapons of the men, in addition 

 generally to one or two children, and perhaps also a young dog. In 

 this plight they are to be seen toiling along under a load seemingly 

 sufficient to bring the frail bodies of the unfortunate creatures to the 

 ground. 



Polygamy to the fullest extent is an Anstralian Institution ; the 

 man is allowed to have as many wives as he can manage to take care 

 of, or can possibly beg, steal, or otherwise obtain. There is nothing 

 like a marriage ceremony in any case, a simple bestowal on the part 



