, 799 ,] OF NEW SOUTH WALES, 513 



depends upon his fizgig or his fpear for his fupport, depends upon 

 his {ingle arm, and, requiring not the aid of fociety, is indifferent 

 about it, but prowls along, a gloomy, unfettled, and unfocial being. 

 An inhabitant of Port Jackfon is feidora feen, even in the populous 

 town of Sydney, without his fpear, his throwing-ftick, or his club. 

 His fpear is his defence againft enemies. It is the weapon which he 

 ufes to punifh aggreifion and revenge infult. It is even the inftru- 

 ment with which he correds his wife in the fa ft extreme ; for in their 

 paffion, or perhaps oftener in a fit of jealoufy, they fcruple not to in- 

 fiia death. It is the play-thing of children, and in the hands of per- 

 fons of all ages. It is e'afy to perceive what effed this mud have 

 upon their minds. They become familiar ifed to wounds, blood, and 

 death ; and, repeatedly involved in fkirmimes and dangers, the native 

 fears not death in his own perfon, and is confequently carelefs of in- 

 flicting it on others. 



The net alfo appearing to be a more certain fource of food than the 

 fpear, change of place will be lefs neceffary. The incumbrance too of 

 carrying large nets from one place to another will require a more per- 

 manent refidence ; and hence it would naturally follow, that their 

 houfes would be of a better conftru&ion. Thofe which had been 

 met with in Shoal Bay and Glafs-Houfe Bay were certainly far fupe- 

 rior to any that had been feen in the neighbourhood of Port Jackfon ; 

 and this fuperiority Mr. Flinders attributed to the different mode of 

 procuring fifh which had been adopted by the inhabitants. 



During the time the (loop remained in Glafs-Houfe Bay they fcarce- 

 ly faw any of the women. 



Of their canoes but little could be reported, the only one that Mr. 

 Flinders had an opportunity of obferving was formed of the ftringy 

 bark, and was much larger than any ufed at Port Jackfon. The ends 

 of it were tied up in the fame manner ; but it was misfhapen and 

 clumfy. Not any of the natives ever attempted to approach the floop 

 in canoes, although at times eight or ten were feen Handing together, 

 who appeared very defirous of having a communication with it. 



