In no one instance had they been observed to have children by both women; and in general, as might be expected, the two females were always jealous of, and quarrelling with each other; though it was understood, that the first wife claimed a priority of attachment, and an exclusive right to the conjugal embrace; while the second or latter choice was compelled to be the drudge and slave of both.

Chastity was a virtue in which, certainly, neither sex prided themselves; yet the females, having discovered that the white people thought it shameful to be seen naked, became, at least many of them, extremely delicate and reserved in this respect when before them; but when in the presence of only their own people, they were perfectly indifferent about their ap pearance.

During the time of parturition these people suffer none but females to be present. War-re-weer, Bennillong's sister, being taken in labour while in the town, an opportunity offered of observing them in that critical juncture; of which some of the women, who were favourites with the girl, were desired to avail themselves; and from them were obtained the following particulars:-

During her labour one female was employed in pouring cold water from time to time on the abdomen, while another, tying the end of a small line round War-re-weer's neck, with the other end rubbed her own lips until they bled. She derived no actual assistance from those about her, the child coming into the world by the sole effort of nature; neither did any one receive it from her; but one of the white women divided the umbilical cord and washed the child, which the mother readily permitted, although the other natives strongly objected to it. The poor creature appeared much exhausted.

Bennillong's wife, a few hours after she had been delivered of a child, was seen walking about alone and picking up sticks to mend her fire. The infant, whose skin appeared to have a reddish cast, was lying on a piece of soft bark on the ground.

The child thus produced is by the mother carried about for some days on a piece of soft bark, and, as soon as it acquires strength enough, is removed to the shoulders, where it sits

with its little legs across her neck; and, taught by necessity, soon catches hold of her hair, to preserve itself from falling.

The reddish cast of the skin soon gives place to the natural hue; a change that is much assisted by the smoke and dirt in which, from the moment of their existence, these little wretches are nurtured. The parents begin early to decorate them after the custom of the country; for as soon as the hair of the head can be taken hold of, fish bones and teeth of animals are fastened to it with gum. White clay ornaments their little limbs; and the females suffer the extraordinary amputation which they term Mal-gun before they have quitted their seat on their mother's shoulders.

At about a month or six weeks old the child receives its name. This is generally taken from some of the objects constantly before their eyes, such as a bird, a beast, or a fish, and is given without any ceremony.

From their earliest infancy the boys are accustomed to throwing the spear, and to the habit of defending themselves from it. They begin by throwing reeds at each other, and are soon very expert. They also, from the time when they can run, until prompted by manhood to realize their sports, amuse themselves with stealing the females, and treat them at this time very little better than they do then.

Between the ages of eight and sixteen, the males and females undergo the operation which they term gna-noong, viz., that of having the septum of the nose bored, to receive a bone or reed, which among them is deemed a very great ornament, though the articulation is frequently rendered very imperfect by it. Between the same years also the males receive the qualifications which are given to them by losing one front tooth. Lieutenant-colonel Collins, several years judge-advocate and secretary of the colony, was so fortunate as to be present at this remarkable ceremony. We will detail some interesting circumstances which he noted.

On the 25th of January, 1795, the natives assembled in considerable numbers, for the purpose of performing this ceremony; as several youths well known in the settlement, never having submitted to the operation, were now to be made men.

Pe-mul-wy, a wood native, and many strangers came in; but the principals in the operation not being arrived from Cammer-ray, the intermediate nights were to be passed in dancing; for which purpose they were ornamented in their best manner, and certainly displayed a variety of tastes. One was painted white to the middle, his beard and eyebrows excepted; others were distinguished by large white circles round the eyes, which rendered them as terrific as can be well imagined. It was not until the 2d of February that the party was complete. In the evening of that day the people from Cam-mer-ray arrived, among whom were those who were to perform the operation. They were painted after the manner of their country, were mostly provided with shields, and all armed with clubs, spears, and throwing sticks. The place selected for this extraordinary exhibition was at the head of Farm Cove, where a space had been for some days prepared by clearing it of grass, stumps, &c.; it was an oval figure, the dimensions of it twenty-seven feet by eighteen, and was named Yoo-lahng.

When colonel Collins reached the spot, he found the party from the north shore armed, and standing at one end of it; at the other were the boys who were to be given up for the púrpose of losing each a tooth, with their several friends who had accompanied them. The ceremony that ensued was long, and contained many mystical rites; but they all related to an exercise which forms the principal business of their lives, the use of the spear. They next commenced their preparations for striking out the tooth. The first subject they took was a boy of about ten years of age; and he was seated on the shoulders of another native, who sat on the grass, as appears in this plate. The gum was then lanced with a sharp bone; and the end of a stick was applied as high upon the tooth as the gum would admit of, when the operator with a large stone struck out the tooth. The young sufferer was then girded with a wooden sword, and thus became privileged to seize any female he chose for a wife.

The shedding of blood, among these savages, is always followed by punishment; the party offending being compelled to expose his person to the spears of all those who choose to throw