120 R. T. BAKER. 



not basaltic-glass which is usually classed as tachylyte and has 

 a higher specific gravity. 



This specimen was discovered about twenty feet below the 

 surface about a mile and a half from O'Connell near Bathurst, by 

 Messrs. B. Walker and Lester, when sinking for gold. 



I am indebted to Messrs. Rumsey and Tremain of the Technical 

 College for the photograph, and to Mr. Henry G. Smith for the 

 specific gravity. 



MARRIAGE and DESCENT among the AUSTRALIAN 

 ABORIGINES. 



By R. H. Mathews, l.s., Corres. Memb. Anthrop. Soc, 

 Washington, U.S.A. 



[Read before the Royal Society of N. 8. Wales, October 8, 1900.'] 



In describing the social structure of a native Australian community 

 the first matter calling for attention is the classification of the 

 people into two primary divisions, called phratries, or groups — 

 the men of each phratry intermarrying with the women of the 

 opposite one, in accordance with prescribed laws. 1. The natives 

 of some tracts of country are segregated into the two phratries 

 referred to, without any further subdivision. 2. In other locali- 

 ties there is a partition of each phratry into two sections, making 

 four divisions of the tribe. 3. Among the inhabitants of other 

 districts there are four subdivisions of each phratry, giving a total 

 of eight sections. 4. In some parts of Australia, instead of 

 employing the sharply defined divisions referred to, the marriages 

 are arranged by the elders of the tribe, who are well acquainted 

 with the genealogy of the people around them. This I have 

 designated the Tooar organisation, and is elsewhere dealt with. 



