2 
and the remaining two tlie other. Thus the 
tribes are divided into distinct sections; and, for 
the sake of better elucidating these principles 
of the tribes, I will hereafter call them primary- 
divisions. 
The primary names of one division are 
Combo and Hippi, with the feminine of Booda 
and Hippithaa. The primary names of the 
other division are Coppe and Murre, with the 
feminine of Coppethaa and Maathaa. These 
names are contracted from the maternal side, 
and are those of the grandmother, and are in 
no way guided by paternity. Thus Booda’s 
children being Hippi or Hippithaa, according 
to the sex ; and Hippithaa’s children being 
either Combo or Booda, each succeeding gene- 
ration taking the name of the grandmothers on 
the maternal side. This rule applies in like 
manner to tke other primary division. I may 
say, en passant , that the knowledge of this 
rule has oftentimes afforded me considerable 
amusement in observing the surprise of a black 
man, when on learning his name I have men- 
tioned to him his mother’s name, so as to lead 
him to suppose I was acquainted with her ; 
indeed, in some cases this knowledge of their 
names has done me good service, it having in- 
duced assistance and good feeling on the part 
of the man addressed that would otherwise 
probably have been withheld. 
The possession of these primary names 
in no way represents affinity of blood; 
and you frequently find those bearing 
the same primary names bound in Hymen’s 
fetters; consequently, it is generally supposed 
that there are no laws observed by the abori- 
gines, which in any degree resemble the laws 
of more advanced nations for the prevention 
of too close intercourse, and that they marry 
and are given in marriage in a most promiscuous 
manner. That this is not so, I can most un- 
hesitatingly affirm ; and I am convinced that 
this erroneous impression has arisen from an 
imperfect knowledge of their nomenclature, as 
will, I think, be seen by attention to the sys- 
tem of obtaining the second or family names. 
These names represent many subdivisions of 
each primary division, and each subdivision 
bears its own distinctive name, and is the name 
of some bird, quadruped, or fish ; and this 
name becomes the second or family name of 
each individual of such subdivision or family. 
This name, like the primary name, is also in- 
herited from the mother, and is held by the 
law of the tribe to be a sign and token of re- 
lationship between all who bear it; and for any 
such (even should they be strangers to each 
other) to marry would be contrary to their 
laws. Thus, “ Combo Mourri ” — Anglice 
“Combo, brown snake” — may not marry 
“ Booda, brown snake,” although he may 
never have heard of her individuality previously. 
But as the primary division to which Combo 
belongs is divided into a score or more families, 
he is not prohibited from taking to wife 
Booda, of one of these. 
This rule applies to the whole of the divi- 
sions of the tribe. Hence the error I have 
alluded to ; for it must be observed that, in all 
our communication with the aborigines they 
are only known to us by their primary names — 
Combo Hippi, Coppe or Murre, as the case 
may be. The subdivisional or family name 
being unknown, and is as a sealed book to the 
white man. I have no hesitation in asserting 
that the prohibitory laws extend further ^than 
herein described, and I regret not having made 
myself better sequainted with the deeper sub- 
tleties of their matrimonial laws. I have also 
reason to believe that laws of a similar cha- 
racter are in force among the aborigines of 
the southern and northern coasts. 
Before proceeding to the origin of the third 
name iossessed by each member of the tribe, 
I will call to your attention that this law of 
relationship here alluded to has often led to 
much misconception on t he part of the colonist, 
as to the aboriginals’ idea of brotherhood, and 
I have often heard it said, “ Blackfellows are 
all brothers when it suits them ; for I knew one 
claimed as a brother *by blacks who could never 
have known of his existence before.” Such 
expressions are commonly uttered ; but, if 
those who utter them would intelligently in- 
vestigate further, they would soon understand 
the seeming anomaly; and, being once pos- 
sessed of the system of subdivisional names 
(which is the only key to relationship), the 
olaim of brotherhood would be as clear as 
day. 
I will now draw your attention to their 
characteristic or third name, which may, 
perhaps, more properly be termed a soubriquet, 
it being derived from some circumstance at the 
time of birth, or from some personal pecu- 
liarity, quality, deformity, or other local cause, 
thereby differing most materially from their 
primary and family names, these being arbi- 
trary and part of a system. The knowledge of 
this third name is necessarily confined to the 
circle in which the individual moves, and it is 
by these names being used in their ordinary 
conversation that they avoid the great con- 
fusion that would arise were they confined to 
the comparatively few names to be found in 
their first and second divisions. 
Having disposed of their nomenclature, I 
must be pardoned for again reverting to the 
laws regulating matrimonial arrangements, and 
must not be understood to say these laws 
are always carried out in their integrity ; for 
instances have occurred, within my knowledge, 
where men pos essing considerable influence 
in their tribe have set the law at defiance with 
impunity ; but such cases are rare, and only 
permitted to exist rather from the weakness and 
want of power in the Executive than from a wil- 
ling acquiescence. These regulations for the 
prevention of a too close admixture of blood, 
must certainly have been -founded on some 
such principles as rule the civilized world 
of the present day, and -to me they seem 
