CHAPTER II. 
PHYSICAL APPEARANCE — DRESS — CHARACTER — HABITS OF 
LIFE —MEETINGS OF TRIBES — WARS — DANCES— SONGS. 
The Aborigines of Australia, with whom Euro- 
peans have come in contact, present a striking 
similarity to each other in physical appearance and 
structure; and also in their general character, 
habits, and pursuits. Any difference that is found 
to exist is only the consequence of local circum- 
stances or influences, and such as might naturally be 
expected to be met with among a people spread 
over such an immense extent of country. Com- 
pared with other aboriginal races, scattered over the 
face of the globe, the New Hollander appears to 
stand alone. 
The male is well built and muscular, averaging 
from five to six feet in height, with proportionate 
upper and lower extremities. The anterior lobes of 
the brain are fairly developed, so as to give a facial 
angle, far from being one of the most acute to be 
found amongst the black races. The eyes are sunk, 
the nose is flattened, and the mouth wide. The lips 
are rather thick, and the teeth generally very per- 
fect and beautiful, though the dental arrangement is 
sometimes singular, as no difference exists in many 
