376 
NUMBERS. 
issues, the number of girls attending has been little 
more than one half that of the boys. This may, 
perhaps, arise in some measure from females assu- 
ming the duties of women, and being classed as such, 
at an age when males would still be considered as 
only boys. The principal reason, however, must, 
as before, be ascribed to a greater number of girls 
being left behind by the more distant tribes when 
they come to visit Moorunde. 
Thirdly, from the list I have given, it seems that 
to each woman there would be about 1J child. 
Upon this subject Mr. Moorhouse remarks, that 
his investigation has led to the conclusion that 
each woman has, on an average, five children 
born (nine being the greatest number known), 
but that each mother only rears, upon an average, 
two ; and this I think, upon the whole, would be a 
tolerably correct estimate. 
There is one point connected with the return I 
have given, peculiarly striking, as it shews the com- 
paratively small increase that now appears to be 
going on among the more numerous tribes of the 
Aborigines, I allude to the fact of there only having 
been fifty-two young infants among 1330 women. 
By infants I mean such as had to be carried in the 
arms, for those who could walk at all have been 
classed among the boys and girls. 
I have never known a case of twins among the 
Aborigines, and Mr. Moorhouse informs me that 
no case has ever come under his observation ; but 
