No. 19,—PERTH, WESTERN AUSTRALIA.
By W. E. Knight, Esq., C. F. Armstrong, Esq., and James Gilchrist, Esq.
In the neighbourhood of Perth there are several tribes whose customs and languages are very similar. Of their vocabularies two have reached me, one from Mr. W. E. Knight, clerk of the Bench of Magistrates at Guildford, and a native of the colony, the other from Mr. C. F. Armstrong, Government Interpreter. The first mentioned of these gentlemen has also contributed a number of notes concerning these tribes, which I have condensed as follows:—
The original number of the Blacks who inhabited the neighbourhood of Perth is not known, but, as the result of drunkenness, debauchery, and diseases introduced by the Whites, the Aboriginal population has much decreased, and is fast dying out. They have now but few children amongst them, and those chiefly half-castes. Originally they were clad in rugs each made of a kangaroo skin, a form of dresswhich is almost confined to the tribes of the west coast and its vicinity. Like the rest of the race, they never lose an opportunity of smearing themselves with grease, or oil of any description. They also on occasions rub the head, face, and neck with red ochre. At other times they ornament the face and other parts with white lines or patches; and when in mourning anoint themselves with a compound of grease and charcoal. Round the waist the men invariably wear many coils of string, which is spun from the fur of the opossum, between which and their skin they carry their tomahawks. They also ornament their heads with feathers. The women carry on their backs a bag made of kangaroo skin; its place being outside of the rug of the same
