PROPERTY IN LAND. 
297 
sufficiency of pieces of white chalk and red ochre 
wherewith to bedaub their bodies for their filthy cor- 
robberies.” Many similar proofs might be given of 
the general feeling entertained respecting the rights 
of the Aborigines, arising out of their original pos- 
session of the soil. It is a feeling, however, that can 
only have originated in an entire ignorance of the 
habits, customs, and ideas of this people. As far as 
my own observation has extended, I have found that 
particular districts, having a radius perhaps of from 
ten to twenty miles, or in other cases varying accord- 
ing to local circumstances, are considered generally 
as being the property and hunting-grounds of the 
tribes who frequent them. These districts are again 
parcelled out among the individual members of the 
tribe. Every male has some portion of land, of 
which he can always point out the exact boundaries. 
These properties are subdivided by a father among 
his sons during his own lifetime, and descend in 
almost hereditary succession. A man can dispose of 
or barter his land to others ; but a female never in- 
herits, nor has primogeniture among the sons any 
peculiar rights or advantages. Tribes can only 
come into each other’s districts by permission, or in- 
vitation, in which case, strangers or visitors are 
always well treated. The following extract from 
Captain Grey’s work gives the result of that gen- 
tleman’s observations in Western Australia, corrobo- 
rated by Dr. Lang’s experience of the practice 
among the natives of New South Wales, (vol. ii. 
p. 232 to 236.) 
