MELVILLE ISLAND, 
Zealanders/ but is scarified, and raised in a very tasteful 
manuer,* and their countenance expresses good-humour 
and conning. All those who have reached the age of 
puberty are deficient of au upper front tooth — a custom 
common in New Holland. The colour of their skin is a 
rusty black, and they go about perfectly naked j their 
hair is sometimes tied in a knot, with a feather fixed in 
it I and they frequently daub it with a yellow earth. On 
particular ocea$ion«, when in gi'iefj or intending mischief 
or open hostilities, they paint their bodies, faces, and 
Bmba with white or red pigments, so as to give them- 
selves a most fantastic and even hideous appearanee.f 
" In disposition they are revengeful ; prone to steal- 
ing, and ill their attempts to commit depredatioos, 
show excessive cunning, dexterity, arrangement, enter- 
prise, and courage. They are affectionate towards their 
children, and display strong feelings of tenderness when 
separated from their families ; they are also very sensitive 
to anything like ridictile. They are good mimics, have a 
facility in catching up worcU, and arc gifted with con- 
siderable obseiTation. When they express joy, they jump 
about, and clap their hands violently upon the lower part 
of their bodies ; and in showing contempt, they turn their 
back, look over the shoulder, and give a smack upon 
* "Tlic breast of one taken prisoner was scarified, and formed 
into ridges, much resetnWing tlic lace-work on a hiiziiar's jacket." 
t " They cover their bodies with grcjise, it is supijosed to aecare 
them from the piercmg sting of the saud-fiies and musquitoes ; and 
their bodies smell so strong that even the cattle used to detect tkctn 
tt half a mile distance, and gallop off, bellowiDg in great apparent 
alarm." * 
