CHAPTER V.
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.
“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.”