386 
DISTRIBUTION OF FOOD. 
are especially well off in this respect, as the younger 
people always give them the best and largest share 
of everything. Males generally are generous and 
liberal to each other in sharing what food they have, 
but it is not often that the females participate in the 
division. When following their usual pursuits upon 
the Murray, I have seen the men after an hour or 
two’s fishing with the nets, sit down and devour all 
they had caught, without saving anything for their 
family or wives, and then hurry about noon to the 
camps to share in what had been procured by the 
women, who usually begin to return at that 
hour, with what they have been able to col- 
lect. Favourite kinds of food are also frequently 
sent as presents from one male to another, and at 
other times two parties will meet and exchange the 
different kinds they respectively bring. Among the 
younger people I have often seen a poor hungry 
fellow, who had by his skill or perseverance obtained 
some small article of food, compelled by the rules 
of savage politeness to share out the petty spoil 
among a group of expectant sharks around, whilst 
he whose skill or labour had procured it dared 
hardly taste it, and was sure to come in for the 
smallest share. 
Naturally, I do not think they are bloodthirsty ; 
custom or example may sometimes lead them on to 
shed blood, but it is usually in accordance with their 
prejudices or to gratify the momentary excitement 
