THE PACIFIC OCEAN. 
fifh, at leaft, made a part of their food, from the many 
heaps of mufcle-fhells we faw in different parts near the 
fhore, and about fome deferted habitations near the head of 
the bay. Thefe were little fheds or hovels built of flicks, 
and covered with bark. We could alfo perceive evident 
figns of their fometimes taking up their abode in the trunks 
of large trees, which had been hollowed out by fire, mofl 
probably for this very purpofe. In or near all thefe habi¬ 
tations, and wherever there was a heap of fhells, there re¬ 
mained the marks of fire ; an indubitable proof that they 
do not eat their food raw. 
After flaying about an hour with the wooding party and 
the natives, as I could now be pretty confident that the lat¬ 
ter were not likely to give the former any difturbance, I left 
them, and went over to the grafs-cu tiers on the Eafl point 
of the hay, and found that they had met with a fine patch. 
Having feen the boats loaded, I left that party, and returned 
on board to dinner; where, fome time after, Lieutenant 
King arrived. 
From him I learnt, that I had but juft left the fhore, when 
feveral women and children made their appearance, and 
were introduced to him by fome of the men who attended 
them. He gave prefents to all of them, of fuch trifles as he 
had about him. Thefe females wore a kangooroo fkin (in 
the fame fhape as it came from the animal) tied over the 
fhoulders, and round the waifl. But its only ufe feemed to 
be, to lupport their children when carried on their backs ; 
for it did not cover thofe parts which mofl nations conceal; 
being, in all other refpe£ls, as naked as the men, and as 
black, and their bodies marked with fears in the fame man¬ 
ner. But in this they differed from the men, that though 
their hair was of the fame colour and texture, fome of them 
had 
IOI 
I 777 * 
January. 
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