SOMERSET. 
IOI 
fragments, apparently transported hither by the ants ; while the trees, stripped of every vestige 
of foliage, sufficiently attest the presence of these voracious insects. Compared with the size 
of the builders, the height of these ant-hills exceeds that of the great pyramid of Egypt. A 
number of subterranean passages and gateways give access to the structure, which, moreover, 
is perforated in every part by small holes. The walls, as hard as stone, seem to have attained 
their present proportions by a process of successive plastering. 
* 
The settlement of Somerset was planned with the intention of forming a naval station 
CAMP OF AUSTRALIAN NATIVES, NEAR SOMERSET. 
in Torres Strait. At present this is only represented by a few wooden huts and barracks ; 
but there can be little doubt that its central position between India and China on the one side, 
and Fiji, New Zealand, and the Australian colonies on the other, will in the near future 
draw renewed attention to the promontory of Cape York, which, 
indeed, has of late acquired additional importance as a convenient 
basis of operation for the exploration of the continent of Papua, 
situate on the opposite side of the strait. 
In the woods behind Somerset we discovered a camp of native 
Australians. The latter bear the unenviable reputation of occupying 
the lowest step on the ladder of civilisation. Indeed, the aspect of the 
camp and of its inmates was melancholy in the extreme. The shelter 
of a palm-leaf their only dwelling ; a few rags their whole wardrobe ; 
the bare ground or a mat their only bed. No trace of drinking or 
cooking vessels could be found. One man seemed to be playing on 
a musical instrument; but it proved to be the Australian equivalent native woman, north Australia, 
for a tobacco pipe. A little old woman was seen literally crawling on all fours. We would 
hardly be justified in considering these poor creatures as typical of the tribes who inhabit 
