r
ATLAS OF AUSTRALIA—1886.
taken, and wLeu altnoked, kicks witk force sufficient to kil] ft dog or injure
!i man. Tlie eggs, which are of ft beautiful dark groen cnloiir, are
about five orsix inches long, and mucii prized for ornamental purposes.
The aborigines esteem thorn as an article of food, using little olsowhen
they can be procui'od. The plumage is of a dark browu colour, mottled
with dirty grey. A kind of pmupiug noise is beard as tlio bird goes
along. The f^potted Emu is found in Western Australia.
'['he Australian Bustard, popularly known as the Wild Turkey,
belougs to the plains of the interior. It is larger than tlie European
.stinot bird largerthan the Bni
ime it was very widely distri
e well representod i
on to other parts of the
the best known of the
rv graceful in its move-
• has its habitat in the
lod-waters of several of
nt on the Macq.iarie by
species.
The DinoriiiíAuítralis,
to the same oi-der. At o
the contineot.
&rallalore$ or Waderi
genera being peculiar, but not a tew comn
world.
The Native Companion is perhaps one of
wading class. It is tall and .stately, and is v
ments. This member of the (Miiilm famil
swamps and shallow lagoons fonnod by the 3
the largest rivers, and was found very abiuid:
Sturt.
The Straw-necked Ibis, a vei^ beautiPul bird, is peculiar to Austral i a.
The "White Ibis, aspeoies allied to the Sacred Ibis of Egyjit, is numerous
in various parts of the continent.
The Jahiru is a very large bird, and frequents muddy creeks.
Being of a shy nnture it is very difficult to ajiproach, and is found in
almost eveiT portion of Australia,
Among the remaining members of this order may be mentioned
ter-hen, Crane, Plover, iSand-piper, Snipe,
u, Curlew, Crake, and Rail.
! Niilalnrfi or Swininiers is \'cry largely
every poi-tion of Australia. The lagoons,
estuaries which fringe the coast in various
,-ith birds of this class. Side by side with the
.s which skira over the surface of the watei' in
the Oystei-cateher, Wat
Avocet, Spoi.ubill, BitI
The order known
represented in nearly t
swamps, and shallow
parts, literally swarm
various species of duck.s
stately motion. It is, howi
remarkable for their num
The Black Swan, win.
eck and
r, noticeable,
-S the others
tthough
•cely repre
IS pecal .ustralia
L'sof the:
St coasts.
s habits
nny hundreds
of thciu may be seen at one time on a lagoon, and as day gives place
to night, large flocks ])as.s overhead uttering their peculiar ciy as they
wend their way to the various feeding-grounds. Harmless in disposition,
they are easily domesticated. The flesh is coarse and inclined
to be of a lishy flavour. They arc hunted for their feathers and the
beautiful down which covers the brea.st.
The Cape Barren (joose is found on the sea-coast, but, being of a
tame nature and easily killed, is not so numei-ous now a.s formerly.
In the tiuip of the early navigators it was ea.'ily killed with a stick.
The Wild Duck or Black Duck, as it is populariv called, isfound
in the south and east parts of Australia; its flesh is delicate and veiy
highly esteemed; it is, therefore, hero as in other part.s of the world,
continually liable to fall a victim to the sportsman's gun. The Teal
is a smaller species. The Freekled and Pink-eyed Ducks are common
in Western Australia, There arc sevei-al other species, among which
may be mentioned the Shovel-nosed, Blue-billpd, Wood, and Jlu-sk
IDucks. Tlie last-named is of a solitary disposition, and is very ditticult
toshoot. h gives off a
On the sea-coast a
Petrel, linoliy, Penguii
uell of n
, Albatross
The Corn
the Sha.
fi-ecjuently seen perched on r
The Austrnlian Pelican i
and inlets of the sea, where ^
dc.>:terity in the captnre of
food.
Stmt found them in sue!
nting.
Mang:-ov
found ir
holding out its wings to d
u.nsB bill it shows considera
ind molluscs, which form
in the Darling as to baffle
Reptiles.—Both
e been very numerous in everj- part of i
id in the Wellington Caves afford ample oWdence of the foni
present, x-eptile
a. The remain
D of a Saurian of considerable size now extinct, and in t
fossil teeth, first discovered on the Darling Downs, we have iho li
remaining fragment« of a Crocodile form that occupied a position
the fauna of bygone ages.
Of the reptiles which now inhabit Australia, Snakes {OphWn) n
doubtless the most numerous, and have the wide.st distribntion. In ]
trard tovariot>'of genera, however, they do not equal thoseof other pa'
of the world, similarly situated. The Ophidian» may be divided ii
In the former are the Black Snake
(Psi udfcki« porphnriacus), the Jirown Snake {Dicmema lotjierciliMn),
the Bro\vn-bnnded Snake {m^heephalus cwtus), the Broad-scaled
Snake {Eoplocepkahis mperhus), Orange-bellied Snake {PseiidecMs
Ausfmln), and the Death Adder {Acanthnpus antarctica). Tlie lastnamed
in many respects approaches the \-iper, but is not nearly so
dangerous ; it is confined to the warmer portions of Australia. These
reptiles become active during the Summer, but upon the advance of
Winter retire into the holes of trees, logs, and under ground, Tho
Black species is perhaps more often met with in the Australian hush;
its favourite ])08ition is lying coiled on the sunny side of a log, or in a
small opening in the scrub. The Browu Snake, when fall-grown, is
remarkable for its fierceness and agility. To attack it from behind is
liighly dangerous, as it possesses the power of springing back instantly
on its pni-sner. 'L'lie bite of this reptile takes effcct abnost immediately.
The Bi-own-banded Snake, which is also very venomous, distends the
skin of tho neck when irritated, like the Hooded Snakes of India.
The non-venomous, or hai-mless O^iJitrKnns, include the following!—
Diamond and Carpet Snakes, the various Pythons of Noithem Queensland,
one or two Fresh-water species. Blind Snakes, Tree Snakes, and
some Sea Snakes.
Saurians are numerous, and widely distributed throughout Ausfci
aba; over a hundred species are known, which vary in size from the
small SiaphoK of the eastern coast, to the large crocodile of the
northern waters. They are non-venomous. 'ITie Austrnlian Crocodile
has its babitAt in some of the rivers of Queensland, and sometimes
attains a length of thirty feet. A smaller species, approaching the
form of the Gavial, is met with in tho shallow lagoons of the same
colony. Iguanas, or " Guanas" as they are popularly called, a large
species of lizard, ranging in length fi'om six to nine feet, are common in
nearly every part of Australia, Tliey burrow in the ground, aud arc
fi-equently seen on trees, which they climb readily. The Au.'tralian
Moloch, which belongs to tho southern and western paj-ts of the continent,
is one of the most singular of the Saurian reptilia. It is covered
with tubercles, aud like the Chameleon of African forests, has the
]K)wer of changing colour.
Members of the Tortoise tribe {CheUnin) are fonnd in every part
of Austi-alia. They frequentthe lagoons, rivers, and creeks, aud bear
a close resemblance to those of South America. Marine foi-ms, such
as the Loggerhead, Green, and Hawk-bill Turtles, are met ivith on
tho coast, and in the larger inlets.
In the Wellington Caves were found the remains of a fresh-water
species.
Amphibious lifo is abundant in Australia, a very large number of'
species being kiio>vn. The croaking noise of the common Prog is
heard in every swamp, mai-sh, anil lagoon, at nightfall; anothei' species
frequents trees, which, by an adaptation in the feet, it is able to climb.
The large Green Frog is found in houses and wells, aud nttes-s its cry
before rain.
Fish.—Fish are abundant on all tho coasts of Australia, and in the
rivers aud lakes which drain its surface. The marine species differ
only in a few instances from those of neighbouring seas. Pei-haps the
most prominent e.-cception is the Port Jackson shark. This fish, which
is remarkable for boldness in securing its prey, has a marked resemblance
in the stnicture of its teeth to a species which had its place
in tho past history of our globe. On the northern coast we see that
variety in colouring, characteristic of the fauns of tropical seas. As
we approach Bass Strait and the south const, tho forais become those
of temperate climes. Many of tho fresh-water fish found in its rix-ei-s,
are peculiar to Australia. Perch of different species are common; Cod
are also met with.
The following are numerous on various ¡mrts of the coast, and are
used for food :—The Schnapper, Bream, Whiting, Pike, (irojiei-. Sole,
Flounder, Flathead, Sea-mullet, Gurnard, Dory, Tailor, Yellow-tail,
•Jew-fish, l?ock Cod, a'ai^whine, Black-fisb, Salmon, Perch, Gar-fish,
and Eel. Many more could be enumerated. Sharks aud se^'oral
OF mollu'scan lifo in the various estuaries and creeks, the Oyster is,
perhaps, tho most prominent. Cockles, Mussels, aud otborlowly foi-ms,
• also n
Crust. .nted by s ral species of Crayfish and
In tho swam))s, rnai-sbes, and generally throughout the tropical
and semi-tropical poi-tions of Australia, are found ]\Iosqiiitoes and
Sand-flies. These are fi-equently, espeoially during summer, very
troublesome and annoying to tho settlers, butterflies, many of them
very beautiful, are seen flitting through the forest; and at night in
the scrub-lands, small insects, luminous in appearance like Fireflies,
lakes n the
boles of ti ind there collects .f ho
AUSTRALIA.
Various other forms of organised being, too numerous to mention,
have their places and functions, both in the wilds of the Australian
hush, and tho depths of its watery environment. Though undoubtedly
wanting in many of the ty^jes which give variety to the life of other
lands, the fauna of Austi-alia has a value to the student strictlv its
own i in it may be seen a reflex of conditions that once held sway in
the countries of the Northeni Hemisphere, but long since swept into
e past. Its lowly mammals furnish one of tho last remaining
ving |)i-oseut, the
of facts which, without actually decidiiif
at least suggest the conclusion that they
Cave-dwellers of pre-historfc Kurop
Vcdahs of CoyJon, tho Caribs of the
jrigin geoginphically,
in descc'iit with the
hnien of Africa, the
i of Tie
r., aud t
Í del
Indiai
I the life
r k-nowl additi lal r
for fui-ther and deeper research.
ABORIGINES.-Whatever difference of opinion may exist as to tho
origin of tho Aborigines of Australia, the oneness of the race is
seldom questioned. In regard to colour, features, and other characteristics,
there is a marked conformity to one general type. This is
noticeable to even the most superficial observer. A native of the
interior wilds of the north, would at once bo recognised as Australian,
even in Gippsland. Thus, it has come to be a generally accepted conclusion,
that tho Australian race has sprung from a coimnon stock, and
though, exhibiting minor differences over the vast area occupied,
is yet undoubtedly the descendants, through numerous generations, of
ono family.
Among the earlier hypotheses in regard to their origin, was that,
which, in the absence of accurate information and correct deduction,
seemed, perhaps, the most likely—namely, that the Australian race was
a branch from the Papuan family. The proximity of the gi-eat Island
of Now Guinea to tho coast of Australia gave a certain colour to this
supposition. But whe.
t was obsei-ved, that the inhabitants of both
had little in common,
nd, moreover, differed in form, colour, and
customs, tho adherents
: snch a theory were compelled to confess its
weakness. Other.'! sav
n the aborigines a section of the Polynesian
family, but very strong
sasons are found opposed to such an explana-
tion.
Other theories have been brought forward to accoui
sence of thohiuuan species in Australia, but in nearly e^
radical objection is at once apparent. It cannot be di
origin of the Australian aborigines is not only doubtful, but
so deeply in the past, that nothing but the light of a more
knowledge, can ever furnish a solution of the question,
not yet emerged from its primitive ignomnce, with i
of ))reserving the facts of its past history, and even
wanting in tho traditions which bai-barous nations, hi|
scale, pass down the sti-eam of time from father to sou, it presei
more diflicult study to the man of science than do the rock-strata
fo-siiils of the geologist.
ied, that
large extent
n the human
Cnder the investigations of Ethnology they are passive
unresponsive; and as a rule, exhibit little or no traces of the pa;
guide the student to a correct conclusion. Amid so muoh uucertai
that which throws even a glimmer of light into the darkness mus
accepted and followed. A study of thei
Ardii jie lago,
id northern A
ion ceutre, w<
When w
and relative posi
the liushni
il£ of Me^i
m of the islands of the East
nect the shores of hoiithorn
1 gniduallytospread out from
ig that
of the
e birth-place
almost
help ailm
1 the geiierally accepted doci
species must be looked for in Asia,
reasons are ui-ged by those who arrive at such a concluRion from
totally different premises, but the fact remains. There is much, no
doubt, to favour the supjiosition that the Australian aborigines are
but one section of the human sjiecies in its primitive condition, lacking
the ))o\ver to break the bonds of u.sages and customs wliicb have
become set, and act as a barrier to Farther progress. The total
absence of any tradition among tlieni accounting for their presence in
Austi'alia, goes fa
aap|)ort this view of their origin.
barbatrp which thoi
found in lands distant from
of shipwreck or discovery, i
of their early adventures, v
a the s:
perhaps,
Many of thea
their origin i tho
which the greatest results may be hoped for.
-honoured and hoai-y with age, which had
nd necessities of the people, have become
endui
stitioui
iviUzatio:
flood, they
lite there is
r than the Statute Books of civilizastances,
the law remains obeyed with a supermore
intense, that the reason for its existence
J ceased to be. Their general surroundings,
jits, and the small advance made towards even the rudest
all indioato a race primitive in character, and lankiiig
of the lowest grade. In their natural condition they are
t eiitii-ely dependent on the supplies of the forest to satisfy
•ants, and when these become scarce through drought or
re reduced to the verge of starvation. lu their eveiy-day
an absence of forethought, and that feeling which impels
man to make provision for the future, and which may be said to be
one of the characteristics of an ad\-auce towards cidlizatiou. Their
weapons and implements are of the most simple kind. Though in a
laud noted for the richness of its hidden stores, they did not know
the nse of metals. Stone appears to be tho only material used iu
making axes and tomahawks. It also furnished thcii' speai--heads and
other articles, where hai'dness was the quality most necossar)'. These
stone implements were generally well finished. This fact, it will at
once be seen, indicates a definite stage of development, and furnishing
IV measure of the advance from tho level of the mere brute creation,
connects the aborigines of Australia with the races of Europe who, in
past ages, used stone where we used steel, aud lived in caves produced
by the operation of natural laws. Their nomadic habits, also, their
rude attempts at house-building, the primitive character of tho
artiok's useil for domestic ])urposes, and the little care displayeil to
pivitect their bodio.s from the effects of heat and cold, furnish an array
that of their ancestors, either as tlio result
nvariably |)resen-e in tbeir traditions tales
'bich are handed down from goii era tion to
generation with unerring accuracy. The Maoriesof New Zealand,
who are a much superior race to tho natives of Au.'tralia, furnish a
good example of hoiv the main facts of tho early history of a race are
retained by its members, and transmitted to their offspring.
There would, therefore, appear to be a preponderance of evidence
in favour of the suppositiou, that the A ustralian aborigines reached
this continent through tho islands which He between its northern
shores and those of Asia, ¡n-obably carried soutb by the current which
sets east through Torres Strait, and thence down the eastern coast,
and that they are one section of that primitive race, the representatives
of which have long since ceased to exist in Euro])c, but are still to be
found iu Africa and America.
Numerous descriptions have been given by travellers and ex))lorers
of the personal appearance of the aborigines of Australia, aud, in
extensive, possessing a climate, tropical in character in
parts of Queensland, aud Alpine in its severity during
some of the southern ¡lortions, it is to be expected that •
the parent stock would manifest itself. In colour, for e
is undoubtedly a.s much difference between certain
aborigines, as is found to obtain between the varioii
continent of Europe. The finest gradation in shades,
chocolate-brown to the dusky black of the true negro, is r
Their hair is profuse, and eil
tho shoulders. It
dark an
territory so
;he northern
he winter of
iriation from
ribe'i of tho
'presented ii
they have
ringlets over
of the men i:
large, soft, I
jet-bla^k colour,
ind crisp. The head is well-shaped,
eyes; the body is well-formed, and of
ibes they are even tall and massive.
The limbs are long, tbin, and sinewy; the face, except in youths, is
not agreeable to look upon. The uuder jaw is large, and the lips thick
and heavy. T'he cheeks of both sexes are inclined to bo haiiy. .rVs a
rule, Europeans do not care to associate much with them, as they give
off au odour that is not pleasant. This ajjpears to be peculiar to their
constitution, aud not, as many have supposed, tho result of dirty
habits. In the northern parts of Australia, and even so far south as
le Bay, ther
Traces of Chin
C be said that av
th tho Papuans of
also r with
iividuals;
produced
Australian aborigines are not wit
character, but accompanying the;
opposed to thoi]
which they are
iva^'e propensities
lainted. In their tribal fights, some of tho yonng
leroism and disregard of danger that would comaong
dread, which they c
be hidden inilueuc
other tribes. Eos
among their good
civilized nations. They have a superatitions
iunot control, in tho presence of what they deem to
es of an evil character. They believe death is
lud that it is brought into operation against them
unfriendly tribe. To friends they are true and
mies cruel and relentless. In avenging a wrong,
This leads to the numerous feuds which exist
ibes. Husbands are kind to their mves and
. show great bratolity in obtaining females from
ijitalit)-, atfoction, and respect for the aged, are
qualities. It is somewhat humiliating to confess,
ith the white population has not only not improved