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NOBTH AUSTRALIA, 
good-temper, became great favourites. They were also 
generally selected as guides when making excursions 
either by land or water, and always evinced great readi- 
ness in embarking on voyagea to the Indian islandsj 
whenever their company was desired. 
" The Jalakuru tribe, although it resides occasionally 
upon the coast, generally occupies the uplands near the 
termination of the hill range that has been already men- 
tioned. This tract of country is called MerkilellaL It 
is open and fertile, and is traversed by a chain of small 
lakes, which abound with water-fowl. The wild yam is 
also found here in great plenty. Mr. John MacArthiu, 
the son of the commandant of Port Essington, visited 
Merkilcllal, about two years ago, and was received with 
great hospitality, indeed with a considerable degree of 
ceremony ; lor on landing from the boat, he was escorted 
by an armed guard to the spot where the tribe was 
assembled to receive him. Our intimacy with these 
people will prove very favourable to the extension of our 
intercourse with the natives along the coast to the east- 
ward, since they are well acquainted with the tribes in 
their neighbourhood, and have always shown the greatest 
willingness to accompany exploring parties. 
'* The tribe or tribes which inhabit the Goulbum Islands, 
do not require any lengthened notice, as they were not 
found to differ materially fmm those of the Cobourg 
Peninsula. In personal appearance, they rather resemble 
the Croker Island natives than the others, and are a 
fickle, and somewhat vindictive race. They occasionally 
prove very troublesome to the Macassar trepang fishers, 
