Our journey resumed—The new road—Road-side
flowers—Blackheath—The pass through Mount Vittoria—Talent and
perseverance of Major Mitchell, the surveyor-general—Appearance
of an iron gang—Leave the Blue Mountain range—Arrive at
Collet’s Inn—Resume our journey towards Dabee—New line
of road—Aspect of the country—Arrival at Mr. Walker’s
farm—Residence of Mr. Dalhunty—Huge mounds of clay—Blackman’s
Crown—Gum-trees—Bush travelling—Encamp for the night—Caution to
travellers—Cherry-tree Hill—A deserted station—Encampment of
Aborigines—The musk duck—Produce of Mr. Cox’s dairy-farm—Mount
Brace—Infanticide—Custom of native women, relative to their
dead offspring—Native practice of midwifery—Animal called the
Cola—Belief in the doctrine of metempsychosis.
On the following morning, about seven A.M., after a good night’s repose
and an excellent breakfast, we resumed our journey; the air was keen,
but not so piercing as on the previous evening, and the sun shone
brilliantly. The road we had passed, and the one we were still upon,
are excellent; the new road is a great improvement. From what I had an
opportunity of occasionally seeing of the old one it must have been
wretched, and the great surprise was how vehicles could have passed it
in safety; some parts, however, of a better character, were incorporated
with the new road.
As we proceeded flowers again began to deck the road-sides, and the
“_Warratah_ or _Tulip-tree_” (_Telopea speciocissima_) now made its
appearance in great abundance: the buds with which it was covered were
not yet, however, sufficiently expanded to display the splendid crimson
hue of the blossoms, which make it, perhaps, one of the most elegant
and splendid flowering shrubs indigenous to the colony. The _Acacia
taxifolia_ was abundantly in flower, and diffused a delightful fragrance.
The scenery, as we proceeded, increased rather than diminished in its
grand and romantic character. At one place we passed a large quantity of
a species of _Eucalyptus_, called the “mountain ash” by the colonists,
and saw-pits had been erected near the spot for the purpose of cutting
it into planks, it being much valued for shafts of gigs, as well as for
other purposes, in which the wood can be better applied than any other
kinds of the colonial timber.
We passed an inn, erected on a spot not unappropriately called
“Blackheath,” and it was truly a dismal, bleak-looking place. After
riding a distance of fourteen or fifteen miles, we turned off to the new
road, nearly completed, but not yet thrown open to the public, passing
through Mount Vittoria, so as to avoid the steep and stupendous pass of
“Mount York.”[42] It would be well worth the trouble of the traveller
to view both passes, by which he will be enabled to judge of the value
that must be attached to an undertaking that ought to confer immortality
on its projector and engineer, Major Mitchell, the surveyor-general
of the colony. He will then appreciate the immense labour that must
have attended the formation of a road through “Mount Vittoria,” which
was always considered impracticable until the present highly-talented
surveyor-general, surmounting all the difficulties, against both public
and private opposition, showed what talent and perseverance can attain,
and how superior minds can overcome the prejudices of ignorant or
self-interested individuals. He has thus given to the colony a road,
which, considering its peculiar situation, is not at present, nor
perhaps ever will be, equalled.
Although not entirely completed, we were enabled to pass over it on
horseback; (by leading our horses over one small unfinished portion of
it;) the descent is gradual, and the solid rock of “Mount Vittoria”
had been cut through in the formation of the road, a most laborious
undertaking, as a great portion of it consisted of a kind of freestone.
A large iron gang was still employed upon it, in order, as soon as
possible, to throw it open to the public, as forming a portion of the
splendid new line of road over the Blue Mountain range to Bathurst.
The iron gang employed upon this pass was just leaving for dinner when we
passed, so we availed ourselves of the opportunity to visit the barracks,
to see them mustered, and the messes served out. The clothes of these men
were in bad condition, from the quarry work, in which most of them were
employed; but as far as their personal state was concerned, they appeared
plump and thriving. The barrack was a temporary stockade, in which the
bark huts were situated, and around these a barricade was erected,
outside which sentinels were stationed. It was miserable to see these men
in so degraded a state, who, banished for crimes from their native land,
subject themselves to a second punishment, when, by good conduct, they
could become, not only useful members of society, but attain independent
and comfortable circumstances for life.
Having left the Blue Mountain range by this splendid pass, the features
of the country were not found to be materially changed, excepting the
occasional appearance of granitic masses, and several trees and plants
not seen on the Sydney side of the range. One species of _Banksia_
was very abundant, its foliage resembling that of the rosemary, (_B.
rosmarinifolia_?) and the subgenus of the _Eucalyptus_ with white and
opposite leaves, which contain a large quantity of camphorated oil, was
now abundantly seen, as well as _Lobelia_, _Gnapthalium_, and other
flowering plants. At noon we arrived at Collet’s inn, were we refreshed
ourselves and horses, after a long ride of twenty-two miles from the
“Weather-boarded Hut.”
About two P.M. we proceeded on our journey to visit “Dabee,” an estate,
the property of our travelling companion, Mr. Edward Cox. The road we
had to pass was not of the most agreeable description “either for man or
horse,” having a descent into deep vallies, and a corresponding ascent up
steep acclivities; but, fortunately for travellers, Major Mitchell is
again at work with his gangs, and a road, in spite of all obstacles, is
rapidly progressing; avoiding all the rough places we had now to pass,
and also affording a more direct as well as pleasing route. To myself
and fellow-traveller, the observation of, “We shall soon pass over some
of Major Mitchell’s line of road,” was a certainty, as far as it might
be completed, that it would be good, and the result always verified the
correctness of the opinion we formed on this subject.
The country around us abounded in granitic masses, but its features were
not interesting, having the usual dismal character of the Australian
bush. We passed several rivulets, (or creeks, as they are called by the
colonists,) and the little streams, similar to those seen meandering
through our fields at home, are in this country dignified with other
larger streams by the appellation of rivers. Of the feathered creation,
loris, parrots, and white cockatoos, as also the small green parrots
with red heads (_Psittacus pusillus_, Lath?) were seen in great numbers,
and flew away screaming on our approach. At six P.M. we arrived at
“Wallerowang,” the farm of James Walker, Esq., (after a journey of
sixteen miles,) and were kindly received by the persons in charge during
the absence of Mr. Brown, the overseer, and took up our abode in the
little cottage for the night. This estate appears, as far as I could
judge from a casual view, to have few attractions from its locality, or
value from capability of cultivation. The sheep are kept at a station
called “Looe,” which is nearly fifty miles further distant.
After an early breakfast on the next morning (September 20th) we resumed
our journey. The atmosphere was cold, and the season was considered
by the settlers more backward than usual this year. After riding six
or seven miles we reached “Cullen Bullen,” the farm and residence of
Robert Dalhunty, Esq. The situation is picturesque, but the land was
stated not to be of an excellent description. The cottage (to which
a neat garden was attached) displayed both in its exterior, as well
as its interior adornments, a degree of taste and neatness, which was
sufficient to acquaint the visitor that the more gentle and amiable sex
had secluded themselves in this place. After an agreeable but short stay,
we continued our journey through a very uninteresting country. During
the journey I observed the “black wattle-tree” (_Acacia melanoxylon_)
growing abundantly, sometimes on the declivities of the hills, and also
in swampy situations. Several species of _Acacias_ were in flower, some
merely small shrubs, while others had attained the size of large trees;
but the whole being in full bloom, bestowed a pleasing appearance upon
the otherwise dull scenery. These were as yet the only trees which we had
seen in full blossom, and indeed every twig was so thickly studded with
fragrant flowers of golden hue, as almost to conceal the foliage, proving
sources of attraction to a multitude of insects which revelled in the
sweets they contained.
Occasionally, among the trees or bushes, a huge mound of clay, conical in
form, would attract the traveller’s attention; these were produced by the
labours of a species of _Termite_, indigenous to the colony. I have seen
the mounds from four to five feet in elevation, and two or three feet in
diameter, firmly constructed of red or white clay; they furnish persons,
about to erect a mud-hut, with an excellent material, ready prepared for
use; and then many of them, together with myriads of their inhabitants,
are destroyed for the purpose.
About nine miles further, we arrived at a steep hill, up which we
were obliged to lead our horses, and there was a corresponding steep
descent on the opposite side of the ridge; near it was a lofty hill,
surmounted by a bare mass of sandstone, and called “Blackman’s Crown,”
by which name the ridge and pass is also known. After passing the
ridge and descent, the road continues tolerably good, having about it
thickly wooded and brush country, among which white, spotted gums, and
box, together with other varieties, or species of Eucalypti abounded,
with dwarf and other Acacias, in full bloom, emu flowers, (_Richea
glauca_,) butter-cups, and asters, and among them several purple and
yellow flowering plants of the _Orchideæ_ family occasionally mingled.
The “spotted gum” is usually found in situations, which, although in
dry weather appearing firm, in wet are boggy; this tree consequently
indicates by its presence the quality of the soil. The “white gum” trees
have a smooth whitish bark, giving them an appearance as if white-washed.
After travelling some distance, we ‘hobelled’ our horses, turned them
out in some fine pasturage, and set to work, after the bush fashion, to
prepare tea, as a refreshment; there being no station between “Cullen
Bullen” and “Dabee:” our pocket-knives cut up the eatables we had with
us, sharpened sticks served as a substitute for forks, and flat pieces
of wood made excellent spoons. Thus we enjoyed our rustic meal; and
it would be well for fastidious people, who, having every luxury at
their command, are contented with nothing, to become bush travellers in
Australia for a short period, in pursuit of health and contentment, and
there can be no doubt but they would return better in both respects. Tea,
sugar, a tin-pot, and a blanket, are the requisites for a bush traveller,
other necessaries being left to Providence, or to be supplied at the
stations he may occasionally meet with.
Ourselves and horses having had an agreeable feed, we travelled on
until about six P.M., when we “brought up” at the “Round Swamp,” and
encamped on a hill for the night: the horses were hobbelled and turned
out to graze, while we occupied ourselves in collecting fuel, of which a
sufficient supply was soon procured from the quantity of dried wood that
was strewed about. Having lighted our fire, chopped down several small
trees, forming with their branches a rude hut, as a temporary shelter,
and fern and small shrubs made a rough but not uncomfortable bed. The
only drawback to the comfort of sleeping in the bush is the fall of heavy
rain; we had a little during the night, but, fortunately, it ceased
before sufficient had fallen to penetrate our leafy hut.
In choosing night encampments, it would be well for travellers, if they
have any regard for their personal comfort, to be particularly cautious
to avoid making their dormitory upon the nest of the red ant, which
cannot endure intrusion, and consequently will give them so inhospitable
a reception, as to oblige a speedy decampment to take place, leaving
painful mementos of their formidable forceps. This happened not to be
our lot, and we enjoyed sound repose (after our journey of thirty-three
miles) until towards the morning, when the chilness of the air awoke us:
the fire not having been kept replenished was nearly extinguished, we,
however, soon made it blaze again by an addition of fuel, and as the
dawn of day was fast approaching, we prepared tea,—that beverage being
always found most refreshing after a fatiguing day’s journey, or before
commencing one,—previous to resuming our journey.
As day dawned we proceeded on our journey, and arrived at a place
called “Cherry-tree Hill;” on one side of it there is a steep, almost
perpendicular descent, which drays passing this road were formerly
obliged to descend at great risk; but it is now avoided by a lately
discovered route, nearly three miles further round. The view, looking
from this hill into the luxuriant little valley beneath, was very
beautiful. Having led our horses down, we passed through an open forest
country, which presented a more agreeable prospect than any I had
yet seen. About this part of the country I remarked the Indigo shrub
(_Indigofera Australis_) abundant, and I was told that indigo of good
quality has been prepared from it at Bathurst. The species of Eucalyptus,
called “manna-tree” by the colonists, (_E. mannifera_,) was now
occasionally seen, but the season was not yet sufficiently advanced for
its secretion, which is usually about the months of December and January.
The Currijong-tree (_Hibiscus heterophyllus_?) was also occasionally
seen growing in a granite soil, and more often in elevated than other
situations: it has a lively appearance, more especially contrasted with
the other trees around it; the bark is rough, greyish, thick, and spongy,
and the wood is used by the aborigines for boats or canoes. There are two
species indigenous to the colony; from the bark of one, if not of both,
the natives manufacture durable rope for nets, &c., as the Polynesian
islanders use the bark of another species of _Hibiscus_ (_H. Tiliaceus_)
for a similar purpose.
By nine A.M. we passed a deserted station, formerly called, and still
known as “Vincent’s Station;” and by one P.M. arrived at “Dabee,” which
is pleasantly situated near the Cudgegong river, which, I believe,
empties itself into the Macquarie. The situation of this farm is
picturesque, being nearly surrounded by high-wooded and broken ranges
of mountains. On approaching the house, several of the aborigines were
seen encamped; we rode up to them, and found an assemblage of several, of
different ages and sexes: the males were armed with spears, clubs, and
the “womera,” or “bomerang;” this last is a peculiar weapon thrown by the
hand, and possesses the apparent anomalous property of striking an object
in the opposite direction from that in which it is at first propelled.
In the “United Service Journal,” for June 1833, Mr. Wilkinson
gives the following explanation of this curious weapon:
“The _Bommarang_ may be formed of any tough, heavy wood, and is
about three-eighths of an inch thick in the middle, gradually
tapering off towards the extremities, and rounded on each side
from the centre until brought to an edge.
“_Construction._—Let A B E be the arc of a circle: the chord A
D E = 18 inches: the perpendicular B D = 7 inches: the width
B C = 3 inches. Thus constructed, the centre of gravity will
fall exactly on the edge of its concave surface at C. When used
as an offensive weapon, it is usually thrown with the _convex_
side outwards; but when intended to return, it is held in the
reverse position; although it will probably act in either
direction, if properly managed.
[Illustration]
“For the latter purpose, however, it should be thrown from the
hand at a considerable elevation (45°) with a sudden jerk,
so as to combine with the projectile force a rapid rotation
round its centre of gravity. The rotation acts constantly
in opposition to its line of flight; so that if a similar
rotation could be communicated without any projectile force,
the instrument would move backwards: now, as the force with
which it is thrown is constantly diminishing while the rotation
continues, it must always arrive at a certain point where these
opposite forces balance, or equalize each other. At that
moment the weapon would fall towards the ground, were it not
for its flat surface and rotatory motion; but in consequence
of the centre of gravity being so placed that it will always
present its broad surface to the air, it cannot descend
perpendicularly, but slides down the inclined plane, up which
it has been thrown, in consequence of the whirling motion
continuing after the projectile force has ceased; so that if
properly thrown, it will pass over the head of the thrower,
and often to a considerable distance behind him. On the same
principle, a hoop thrown from the hand with a spinning-motion
_inwards_, will begin to return before it touches the ground;
and also the curious, though not so familiar instance, of a
ball fired from a musket, the barrel of which has been bent _to
the left_, being carried at long distances considerably _to the
right_ of the object aimed at, in consequence of the rotation
of the ball on its axis, caused by the friction against the
right side of the barrel overcoming the projectile force, and
thus carrying it across the line of aim.
“The bommarang may be illustrated in a room, by merely cutting
a piece of card into the same shape as the diagram; then
holding it between the finger and thumb of the left-hand, at
an inclination of about 45°, and striking one corner with a
piece of wood, it will advance several feet and return to the
spot from whence it proceeded. I find, however, that this form
is not essential to produce a similar effect, although the
most convenient to throw from the hand. Any thin, flat body
of a semicircular or rectilinear figure, will return in the
same manner, if a rotative motion be communicated to it, in
conjunction with the projectile force at a considerable angle
of elevation.”
Among this tribe was an old woman in mourning, which was indicated by
her face and breast being painted in white stripes with pipe-clay. The
people composing the tribe were well-formed, muscular, extremities
well-proportioned, but of slender form: the average height five feet
five or six inches; cheekbones prominent; nose broad and flattened, with
expansive nostrils; mouth large; beard copious, and hair long, black,
and coarse; they seem as intelligent, but not so fine a race as the
Polynesians, excepting those of the Papuan or Oceanic race, to which they
are evidently closely allied. Some physical differences, however, ought
to be expected in a people inhabiting so sterile a country, compared with
those races inhabiting islands, perhaps as fertile as any in the world.
The males of this tribe (similar to other parts of the colony) knock out
the front incisor tooth on arriving at the age of puberty, and being
admitted into the council and society of men.
I had an opportunity of examining a male stuffed specimen of the “musk
duck,” which had lately been shot in the Cudgegong river. I felt desirous
of procuring a recent specimen for dissection, to ascertain from what
gland the musk was secreted, which diffuses so strong an odour over the
body of this bird, and its situation, but did not succeed in securing
one fit for the purpose; I felt more desirous of deciding the point, as
those persons with whom I had conversed on the subject, and who had seen
the bird in its recent state, were much divided in opinion, and gave very
contradictory accounts. The bird is of an uniform dark speckled colour
over the whole body, except upon the breast and abdomen, where it became
lighter; the bill is black and short, in proportion to the size of the
bird; the wings are short, and inadequate for the purpose of flight, but
assist the animal as it runs over the water; the second penfeather of the
wings is the longest; the tail is short, and consists of several very
stiff feathers. It is a shy bird, diving the instant it is approached,
and afterwards only elevates its head above water to watch proceedings,
disappearing again on the least appearance of danger. It requires a good
marksman, as well as much caution, to secure a shot even at the small
mark the head of this bird presents. The female is said to be smaller
than the male.
This estate is used by Mr. Cox principally as a dairy-farm, and a
quantity of cheeses are made upon it, about which some of the men were at
this time employed. They had now sufficient milk to make four cheeses,
and expected soon to increase to ten, daily. Mr. Cox informed me he
has made four tons of cheese on this farm in one season, and expected,
during the succeeding one, to make nine or ten tons. The price of this
article of course varies at Sydney; but it has been sold at forty-six
pounds the ton. Attached to the neat little habitation at this farm is a
garden, which contains strawberries and gooseberry bushes in a thriving
condition, and was rendered gay by many of our European flowering plants
in full bloom.
The day after our arrival, (22d,) I ranged about the farm, and was much
pleased with its situation. To procure an extensive view, I ascended an
elevated hill, distant about a mile from the house, and known by the
name of “Mount Brace:” the view from it was extensive, and of much
picturesque beauty.—Plains, (varied by wooded patches,) upon which herds
of cattle grazed or reposed;—spots of cultivated land, green with the
rising grain;—the distance terminating to the horizon in mountains of
a greater or less degree of elevation and of varying forms,—peaked,
rounded, or tabular, more or less densely wooded; and the Cudgegong
river winding its course amidst the tranquil scene, produced, in the
combination, a very pleasing landscape. The ascent to “Mount Brace”
was rugged, and huge masses of sandstone, in which quartz pebbles
were strongly imbedded, projected in several places as if about to be
precipitated on the plains beneath; the _Liptomera acida_, _Exocarpus
cupressiforme_, and the beautiful parasitical _Loranthus_ pended from an
Eucalyptus were seen; and other flowering shrubs, among which some small
and delicate plants (bearing pink flowers) of the _Orchideæ_ family were
also profusely scattered about the declivities. I returned from my walk
much gratified with the scenery.
It appears far from being an uncommon circumstance for the females of
the aboriginal tribes about this and other districts in the colony, when
they experience much lingering suffering in labour, to threaten the
life of the poor infant previous to birth; and when it takes place,
keep their word by destroying it. One instance was mentioned to me as
occurring at a station at “Cuttabaloo,” (a hundred and twenty miles from
Dabee,) and near the Castlereagh or Big River; (and I have since known
several similar occurrences;) the woman had, in this case, been two days
suffering from a severe and lingering labour, during which, she often
threatened the poor unborn infant with death on its coming into the
world, using the expression of “pi, a, cobera! (break its head!”[43])
and, on its birth, the unfortunate baby was absolutely killed by its
unnatural parent.[44] This has occurred in a number of instances when the
children were half-castes, and seems to be almost an invariable custom
among the Australian aborigines,—as it is among the New Zealanders and
natives of the Polynesian Archipelago, to destroy the infants produced by
intercourse with Europeans, unless the father resides constantly with the
female, or else may be near them at the time, to prevent the commission
of so horrid and unnatural an act.
During a visit to the Murrumbidgee and Tumat countries, as well as
other parts of the colony, I availed myself of every opportunity to
procure information regarding acts of infanticide, as existing among the
aborigines of this country. I succeeded in ascertaining that infants were
frequently destroyed: sometimes the reason assigned was some personal
defect in the infant,[45] (whence we may attribute the fact of a deformed
person being seldom seen among native tribes,) or the mother not wishing
to have the trouble of carrying it about: the female children were more
frequently destroyed than the males. I heard of a weak and sickly child
having been destroyed, and even eaten: the reason given by the unnatural
parents was, that they were very hungry, and the child no use and much
trouble; one redeeming quality, however, was, that they displayed a sense
of shame when acknowledging the fact, and gave the reason for which they
had committed so barbarous an act. It is seldom they will confess having
destroyed their offspring: one, however, who had a child by an European,
acknowledged it readily; and the reason given for the commission was its
being _like a warragul, or native dog_. This was because the infant, like
its papa, had a “carroty poll,” and thus resembled, in colour, the hair
of the native dog, which is certainly not so handsome as the dark black
locks of the aboriginal tribes.
Although addicted to infanticide, they display, in other instances, an
extraordinary degree of affection for their dead offspring, evidenced
by an act that almost exceeds credibility, had it not so often been
witnessed among the tribes in the interior of the colony. I allude to the
fact of deceased children, from the earliest age to even six or seven
years, being placed in a bag, made of kangaroo skin, and slung upon the
back of the mother, who, besides this additional burden, carries her
usual _netbul_, or _culy_,[46] for provisions, &c. They carry them thus
for ten or twelve months, sleeping upon the mass of mortal remains, which
serves them for a pillow, apparently unmindful of the horrid fœtor which
emanates from such a putrifying substance. Habit must reconcile them to
it, for a woman carrying such a burden, may be “nosed” at a long distance
before seen; and a stranger, unacquainted with this native custom, will
see a woman with a large pack upon her back, from which such an odour
proceeds, as to make him doubt from what it can be produced. When the
body becomes dry, or only the bones left, the remains are burnt, buried,
or placed into a hollow trunk or limb of a tree: in the latter instance
covering the opening carefully with stones, &c. All the information that
could be procured from them respecting this disgusting custom, was, “that
they were afraid, if they buried them, the _Buckee_, or devil-devil
would take them away.” When the adults among the aborigines die, the
body is consigned to the hollow trunk of a tree, cave, or in the ground,
according to circumstances, and wood, stones, &c. are piled on the
entrance, or over the grave, so that, according to the ideas of these
poor, superstitious savages, the _Buckee_ may not be able to find them.
Even after the relation of this disgusting custom, these people are more
degraded by writers than they really appear when seen in the interior,
uncontaminated by European vices, in full native independence, hunters,
but not tillers of the soil, from having no natural productions worthy
of cultivation.[47]
The following is the practice of midwifery, as I observed it among the
native tribes, more particularly those inhabiting the Yas, Murrumbidgee,
and Tumat countries.
When a female is in labour she leaves the camp alone, and, should any
assistance be required, she calls another female to her. When the child
is born, the afterbirth, or placenta, is separated from the navel-string,
or umbilical cord, by scraping or rudely cutting it with a shell, and
the cord is left pending to some length from the abdomen of the infant.
The parent then taking some water into her mouth, throws it over the
child, rubbing the infant at the same time with coarse grass; and this, I
suppose, they would call cleaning the little newborn creature. The first
flow of milk is not given by the mother to the child, as they say it
would produce griping. The afterbirth is buried by the mother, and soon
taken up again and burnt; it is only buried, however, if they are not
prepared to burn it immediately, but it is usually destroyed on the same
day or night on which the woman has been delivered, although I could not
ascertain correctly whether they entertain any such superstitious notions
regarding the placenta, as obtains among the New Zealand females, yet by
the care in burning it some such idea no doubt exists among them.[48]
If the placenta is retained long after the birth of the infant, they
endeavour to excite uterine contraction, by employing pressure on the
lower part of the abdomen over the region of the womb. As soon as the
child is born, the forehead of the infant is compressed, by laying the
child upon its back and employing pressure with the foot; I could not
find out for what object this was done, as the pressure was not repeated
after the day following the birth of the infant.
The labours are sometimes tedious, and the suffering attending them
severe; the presentations are generally natural; when preternatural
labours occur, in most, if not in all such cases, they prove fatal for
want of assistance.[49] After the delivery of the woman a belt of opossum
skin, called “_Cumeel_” (similar to that worn by the males, when adults)
is placed around the abdomen, and is removed after being kept on from
twenty-four to forty-eight hours; the day after delivery the woman goes
to the river for the purpose of ablution. Similar to most native tribes,
the females are married at a very early age. I saw one in the Tumat
country, whom I regarded as a mere child, and was surprised on being told
that she had been married for eight months.
At “_Dabee_” I had an opportunity of viewing the native animal, called
Koala or Cola,[50] and it immediately occurred to me (this being the
first living specimen I had seen) how inaccurately the published
representations of the animal were delineated, being probably, like
most of the drawings of Australian animals, as well as many of other
countries, taken from stuffed instead of recent specimens. The very
peculiar droll-looking physiognomy of this little beast was entirely lost
in the _mis_-representation. This animal, the _Phascolartos_ genus of
Blainville, was a young specimen, and covered over the body with a fine
grey fur, having a reddish tinge, no tail, ears short and erect, and
covered with thick long fur of a light greyish colour, eyes small, iredes
brown, nose naked and pointed, upper lip divided, upper jaw projecting
over the lower, hind feet like the opossum, the thumb wanting the nail.
This animal laps when drinking, like a dog, and is very fond of milk; it
uses the fore-feet in laying hold of the branches when eating the young
leaves of the gum trees, (_Eucalypti_). This specimen was a male, and
the noise it uttered was a peculiar soft barking sound. It sleeps during
the day, running about to feed at night, but when roused will also feed
during the day in its present state of confinement.
From many circumstances that have occurred, there is some reason to think
that the aborigines of this country believe in the metempsychosis of
the departure of the soul of their brethren into the bodies of certain
animals; but as the notes I collected did not satisfy my mind, so as
to assert this as a positive fact, I mention it, for others to procure
information on the subject. That something like it exists, appears in
some degree certain. In one instance, a native, at Béran plains, desired
a European not to kill a _Gúnar_ which he was then chasing, but to catch
it alive as it was “him brother.” The animal, however, was killed, at
which the native was much displeased, and would not eat any of it, but
unceasingly complained of the “tumbling down him brother.”