place of birth, and every stream or hillock had its name well known to all the tribe. The principal stars had names, and by the position of the Pleiades the approacli of summer was known. The territory was that of the trilie, but subject to this paramount riglit, families were specially recognised as having peculiar attachments to certain tracts. As there was no cultivation, there was no jealousy as to boundaries, except between tribes. The decisions of the tribe were made by common consent after discussion amongst the older warriors. There were chiefs,^^ and their office was sometimes here- ditary if the successor was wise and valiant. Otherwise he fell into the ranlvs. The tribes were glad to he led or advised by accredited sagacity, but there was no arbitrary prerogative. Where there was a leader he was rather primus inter p<nrs than autocratic. On all occasions of difficulty the tribe consulted together, and the decision of the elders was final. The chieftain, if there happened to be • one, accepted it implicitly. It was always given in absolute conformity to the traditions and ceremonies of the tribe, which no one thought of disobeying or changing, and of which the elders were the expounders. Old age swept the decrepit out of consideration. They became mere luingers-on of the tribe, fed by the next-of-kin. Sometimes it is affirmed that they were al)andoned as use- less or superfiuously lagging on the stage. The author has known no instance, but would not deny that it has occurred. He knew an instance of continued veneration for an aged warrior, and saw liim buried reverently. Amongst the hiws expounded was one liy which injuries were to be avenged or expiated. A culprit had sometimes to fight, and sometimes to stand at a certain distance to encounter spears hurled at him by the aggrieved. The sentence was never resisted. tit was only by slow degrees that the young man became ree to eat of all the game in the forest. Not until he had " In 1S58 a Select Comraittee of the Legislative Council of Victoria waa ppoinled to report upon ibe aborigines. In the replies to a query aa to heir form of governoient, about an equal number of witoesaes desLiribed it a patriarchal, monarciiic, and demorrutic. A similar nundier said they hail none at all.
