49^ Analyses of Boohs. [August, 
putrid flesh, except that of the whale,” and yet a few lines lower 
down we read “ they have no objection to eat tainted flesh or 
fish : if it is too far gone it is roasted, to expel the unpleasant 
flavour.” It seems to us hard to draw a definite line between 
what is putrid and what is tainted. Fish that have been exposed 
to the rays of the moon are rejected as poisonous. A similar 
notion prevails in many other parts of the world, and it is main- 
tained that such fish or other animal matter is particularly liable 
to putrefaction. 
The explanation has been suggested that dew is deposited 
most abundantly in moonlight nights when radiation from the 
earth’s surface is unchecked. Now if dew consists of moisture 
condensed in the lower regions of the atmosphere, it may not 
improbably be fraught with the spores and germs of microbia, 
including some capable of bringing on malignant fermentations. 
The prohibition of certain classes of food to persons of one sex, 
or at some particular time of life, does not seem capable of a 
rational explanation. 
Their exceedingly complicated marriage laws are said to have 
been devised to prevent the intermarriage of blood relations. 
Any physical advantage hence derived is probably more than 
counterbalanced by the polygamy permitted to the chiefs, who, 
though mostly old men, are permitted to monopolise the finest 
young women. 
A kind of python, about io feet in length, is met with in 
Victoria, and sometimes attack human beings. They are much 
dreaded by the natives. The carpet- or tiger-snake is also said, 
contrary to the general law laid bown by Waterton, to attack men 
without provocation. 
Mention is made here of the “ bunyip,” a nondescript animal 
inhabiting water-holes, concerning which the natives relate sen- 
sational stories. It is said to carry off a man in its mouth. 
Making all proper deduction for exaggerations, it is possible that 
the “ bunyip ” may be some Saurian which has not fallen into 
the hands of any naturalist. The descriptions given do not, 
however, suit any kind of crocodile, as this animal is said to have 
a long neck and to have the power of ereCting its head. 
Native tradition speaks of a huge bird, probably the moa of 
New Zealand. 
A species of eagle, not named, occasionally attacks young 
children, and is much dreaded by the natives. 
Traditions of earthquakes, and even of volcanic aCtion, still 
survive. 
The bulk of the work before us is devoted to the languages of 
the West Vidtorian tribes, and contains extensive vocabularies 
arranged in parallel columns. 
