230 
DANCES. 
during the day, but these are of rare occurrence, and 
seem to be in some way connected with their cere- 
monial observances or superstitions, since rude 
figures, and lofty branches of trees, decorated 
with tufts of feathers, emu plumes, swan’s down 
and red ochre, occupy a prominent part in the 
exhibition, although never met with in the dances 
by night. 
The dances vary a great deal among the different 
tribes, both as to figures and music ; the painting or 
decoration of their persons, their use of weapons, and 
the participation of the females in them. Through- 
out the entire continent, as far as it is known, there 
are many points of resemblance in the dances of 
all the Aborigines, such as the practice of paint- 
ing the body with white and red ochre, carrying 
boughs in their hands, or tying them round their 
limbs ; adorning the head with feathers or down, 
bearing bunches of feathers, tied in tufts in their 
hands, the women singing and beating time upon 
folded skins, the men beating time upon sticks or 
some of their smaller weapons, an old man acting as 
leader of the band, and giving the time and tune to 
the others; the dances representing the actions of 
animals, the circumstances of the chase, of war, or of 
love ; and the singular and extraordinary quiver- 
ing motion of the thighs when the legs are distended, 
a peculiarity probably confined to the natives of the 
continent of Australia. 
The most interesting dances are those which take 
