204 R. H. MATHEWS. 



enabled me to copy every description of aboriginal draw- 

 ings with great facility, for some of which I was awarded 

 the medal of this Society in 1894, ten years ago. And the 

 knowledge of astronomy which my profession demanded, 

 made it easy for me to identify with precision all the differ- 

 ent stars and stellar groups which figure so prominently in 

 the aboriginal folklore. 



I have made the foregoing brief mention of my oppor- 

 tunities of acquiring some knowledge of aboriginal customs, 

 because the reader will readily understand that investiga- 

 tions of this character require many years of patient work 

 among the different tribes. It is essential that these 

 inquiries should be conducted by a person well acquainted 

 with the daily life of the people, and that his observation 

 should extend over a considerable period. I have adopted 

 none of the opinions nor followed any of the methods of 

 other Australian authors, but have struck out on my own 

 lines, recording all the new and interesting facts within 

 my reach. Possibly further researches may modify some 

 of my conclusions, but this is the inevitable lot of all 

 scientific pioneers. 



I write not in the expectation of exhausting the subject 

 of the languages, ceremonies and customs of the Australian 

 aborigines, but in the fervent hope of exciting the interest 

 and encouraging the investigation of younger students ; 

 and trust that some foundations have been laid by me for 

 others to build upon, or to correct if necessary. 



Attention is called to the fact that all the particulars 

 contained in every branch of the subject dealt with in this 

 treatise, have been collected by myself in the native camps, 

 without the assistance or suggestions of any man, and 

 therefore, I only am responsible for any defects which may 

 be discovered in studying the following pages. The present 

 work is only one of a series of similar treatises on various 



