338 R. H. MATHEWS. 



of these magical beings reside in the mountains, others in 

 dense scrubs, others in the clouds. Some have their abode 

 in deep waterholes, others live in the trees, others again 

 have bodies which glow like burning coals. Some of them 

 have the power of altering their shape, or of increasing or 

 diminishing their size, at pleasure. Some of them can 

 vanish into the air, whilst others disappear under the ground. 

 All of them, with a few exceptions, are more or less 

 maleficent. Whether in human shape, or as monstrosities, 

 these creatures of aboriginal fancy or exaggeration were 

 possessed of supernatural powers ; and many of their habits 

 were different from those of the present race. Some of 

 them could form water-courses; some could cleave moun- 

 tains asunder and make hills from the material ; others had 

 the power of causing springs to burst forth. Some were 

 assisted in their work by means of magical weapons and 

 wonderful dogs. 



Obscenity is a prominent characteristic of all Australian 

 folklore. It is persistent in their rock pictures, in their 

 initiation and other ceremonies, as well as in their dances 

 and songs. Where the indecent element has been eliminated 

 by missionaries and others, the peculiar manners and 

 character of the people have lost much of their real 

 personality. Human ordure also has its place in their 

 mythology, as well as in their most important ceremonies. 

 It is supposed to possess many virtues, among which may 

 be mentioned the power of speech, to personify the individual 

 who deposited it. It also enabled a man to catch whatever 

 he was pursuing, by the magical effect of its odour. Human 

 fat also holds an important place in native enchantments. 



If the various ceremonies of the aborigines can be called 

 a religion, it amounts to no more than a mystery and a craft, 

 in which the old sorcerers and warriors are the chief per- 

 sonages. Sometimes a sorcerer was supposed to intercept 



