HABITS OF LIFE. 
218 
saw a small log or root at the bottom of a deep 
river. In a locality, however, which is badly wa- 
tered, it sometimes happens that they cannot swim. 
At Meerkap, in Western Australia, while crossing 
with some friends, from the Sound to Swan River, 
we met with some who were in this predicament, 
and who seemed a good deal astonished at our ven- 
turing into the small ponds at that place. I have 
been told that the natives at the Sound could not 
swim before that settlement was occupied by Euro- 
peans — this seems hardly probable, however, upon 
the sea-coast ; at all events, be this as it may, they 
all swim now. 
In habit they are truly nomadic, seldom remain- 
ing many weeks in one locality, and frequently not 
many days. The number travelling together de- 
pends, in a great measure,- upon the period of the 
year, and the description of food that may be in 
season. If there is any particular variety more 
abundant than another, or procurable only in cer- 
tain localities, the whole tribe generally congregate 
to partake of it. Should this not be the case, then 
they are probably scattered over their district in 
detached groups, or separate families. 
At certain seasons of the year, usually in the 
spring or summer, when food is most abundant, 
several tribes meet together in each other’s territory 
for the purpose of festivity or war, or to barter and 
exchange such food, clothing, implements, weapons, 
or other commodities as they respectively possess ; 
