DISTINCTION OF CASTE. 
217 
will be cleared up. This point is interesting, from the 
circumstaBce of a very similar distinction of caste being 
found to exist among the Polynesian tribes of the neigh- 
bouring islands, who also adopt a similar mode of disposing 
of their dead. The natives of the Cobourg Peninsula have 
also certain superstitions respecting the "waringin" or 
banyan-tree, which are common to the Indian islanders. 
Beyond this, their superstitions appear to resemble those 
which pervade the greater portion of the Australian 
tribes — a belief in the existence of evil spirits, of kurlocka 
or demons, and of ghosts; against the whole of which 
iire affords protection. The spirits of the dead are also 
recognised in the strangers, whether European or Indian, 
who visit their country. 
" Although, as I have before stated, these northern 
Australians possess many of the general characteristics of 
the tribes of the souths still some striking peculiarities 
were found to exist, which contributed to excite a con- 
siderable degree of curiosity and attention, more especially 
as they also sensed to distinguish one tribe from another, 
even in some cases where their territories were imme- 
diately adjacent. During our -earlier intercourse, when 
from inabiiity to converse with the natives we could learn 
little respecting them beyond what absolutely met our 
eyes, we supposed that these peculiarities were merely 
accidental ; but, subsequently, when our means of acquir- 
ing information became extended, and bodies of individuals 
from remote tribes occasionally resided among us, we 
perceived that many natives, who had attracted notice 
from being somewhat different in personal appearance 
L 
