NOETH AUSTRALIA. 
an improvement on tlie state of perfect nndity in which 
the coast natives delighted. We afterwards founds also, 
that their women invariably w^ore before them a mat 
formed of rushes, about two feet deep and three feet 
widcj evincing a sense of decency not common among the 
aborigines of this continent. Their weapons were spears 
or darts, headed with lozenge-shaped pieces of quarta* or 
slatej very regularly formed ; womeraSf or throwing sticks 
of great length; and heavy two-handed clubs. Their 
hair, which was generally fine and somewhat curled, was 
adorned with little tufts of parrot's feathers or opossum 
fur, and they had altogether a very neat ajipearance. 
Nothing could exceed the deference and attention with 
which they were treated by the coast nativeSj who intro- 
duced each individual separately to the officers of the 
garrison, and were evidently much gratified by the 
favourable impression made upon us by the pleasing 
manners of their countrymen. 
" Our new friends, on their departure for the interior, 
were most pressing in their desire that their visit might 
be returned, and I feel convinced that no hospitality 
would have been wanting on their part. The very 
• Dr. Lek'liliardt, vrho had aa opportvinitj of inspecting the 
masses of rock from wliich the spear-heads are obtained, daring' Ids 
journey across the Anihem Peninsula, informed me that the took 
waa baked simd-stone." The slate spear-heads are ohtaiucd from 
the same ncighhourhood, which is one of the most intcr&ating geo- 
logical districts in the continent. Some farther particalars respect- 
ing stone spear-heiids, whicli seem to liave been very cxteiisively 
used in luieieiit times, will be found iu a note to the previous 
chapter. 
