aborigines’ water-quest. 
647 
by action how the smoke was manipulated. He did not himself know 
the particular signals, but 44 blackfellow” — that is, some of the black- 
fellows — “ him sabe.” 
There is a wide range, too, of hand -signalling, such as : “ A dead 
blackfellow is here,” “I have food,” “Wild blacks are coming,” 
“ Where are our people?” u Come on quickly,” “ Go that way,” &c. 
8. — ABORIGINES’ WATER-QUEST IN ARID AUSTRALIA. 
By A. T. MAGAREY. 
PREFATORY. 
In gathering information as to the aborigines’ water-quest in 
arid Australia (i.e.. Central) 1 have to acknowledge indebtedness to 
the works of many of our greatest explorers, and amongst other 
authorities to the works of Baron Sir Eerd. von Mueller, K.C.M.G., 
E.B.S., &c. ; also Mr. Maiden’s work on Australian Flora; to 
Thos. Brown, Esq., Nullabor Plains, South Australia ; Chas. Winnecke, 
-Esq., F.B.G.JS. (explorer); Ernest Giles, Esq., Ediacara; W. H, 
Tietkens, F.B.G.S., Wagga Wagga, New South Wales; B. Heims, 
Esq., Naturalist, Elder Expl. Expn., New South Wales ; Simpson 
Newland, Esq., Adelaide; G. W. Goyder, Esq., C.M.G + , Adelaide; 
C. Hope Harris, Esq., Adelaide ; Walter Gill, Esq., Conservator of 
Forests, South Australia. I have also received the testimony of 
experienced bushinen, and in some directions have made personal tests 
and experiments. 
ABORIGINES’ WATER- QUEST IN ARID AUSTRALIA. 
“It was often a matter of wonder to me that in the height of 
summer, when the heated ground was shimmering under the blinding 
rays of the summer’s sun, and 
‘When the simoom’s breath was scattering death 
On all that yet could die,’ 
when you would think it impossible for mortals to live away from the 
one water, yet, away on the horizon’s distance, in a country that you 
have visited repeatedly and know to be absolutely waterless, a column 
of smoke will arise ! ‘ How can this be ?’ is the exclamation that 
escapes you. Even with the wonderful powers of endurance of the 
Australian aboriginal, how can he be out there and live ? The half- 
civilised savage at your side, upon inquiry, will reply : i He is all 
right; that is So-and-so (mentioning the name); he got tree-water.’” — 
W. H. TietJce?iSj F.R.G.S. 
“ The explorer is necessarily insatiable for water; no quantity can 
satisfy him, for he requires it always and in every place.” Thus 
writes Ernest Giles, one of Australia’s indomitable explorers. 
“ Doing a thirst ” is a recently coined expression of bushmcn in 
the newest gold region of Australia, and means suffering the extreme 
of privation and risk through lack of water whilst in the eager pursuit 
of gold. And to an exhausted bushman gold is infinitely less precious 
than water, for then water means life. 
How, in such arid regions, to know where water may be found, 
and, with almost absolute certainty, to obtain sufficient for life-saving, 
is the purpose of this paper to show, as lucidly as limited space 
