CAKPENTARIA TRIBES. 
283 
and are miicli incUned to attack strangers, as was expe- 
rienced by Captain King, when employed in surveying 
the coast. 
" I was unable to obtain any details that could be de- 
pended upon with regard to the distribution of tribes 
upon the coast between Goulbum Island a and the north- 
west horn of the Gulf of Carpentaria. The inhabitants 
hereabouts appear to reside chiefly upon the uplands, but 
resort during certain seasons to the spots frequented by 
the Macassar trepang fishers. With the people inha- 
biting Amhem Bay and the adjacent country we are, 
however, better acquainted, from the circumstance of 
many individuals from these parts having visited the 
settlement from time to time in the Macassar prahus. 
The trepang fishers describe this as being the most 
numerous and powerful tribe upon the coasts visited by 
them, audj when hostile, as being very formidable op- 
ponents. For some years past, however, they have been 
on the most friendly terms, and a considerable barter 
trade was carried on, tortoise-shell being very abundant 
there. The countiy occopied by this tribe is a spur from 
the great hill range. All the specimens of the tribe that 
we have seen were remarkable for their balky forms ^ 
their chestsj especially, being very fine and expansive. 
The lower extremities, however, arc not very well propor- 
tioned, the curved shin being very common. Their fea- 
tures are coarse, the nose being particularly flat and 
broad, but the general expression is pleasing. All the 
males above the age of twelve or fourteen years that I 
encountered, had undergone circumcision. I was ex- 
