Thirty-three Years in Tasmania and Victoria

Book excerpt: Chapter IV; The Aborigines of Tasmania - numbers & appearance, polygyny, numbers of wives among Oyster Bay tribe in 1821, weapons, hunting methods (for kangaroo, possum), use of opossum skins, corroborees - body decoration, kangaroo skin rugs as drums; spearing for sting ray at Sweet Water Bay; tracking ability; contact with Europeans, 1803; transportation of Mosquito to Tasmania, 1818; Chapter IX; Colonists vs. natives - Arthurs relations with natives; the Black War, work of G.A. Robinson, quotes Robinsons narrative of his mission, & sermon given by Aboriginal youth Thomas Brune 1838; Chapter XVIII; Aborigines of Victoria comments on setting up of reserves, describes Buntingdale Mission, population figures (Barrabool Hill tribe, 1837 & 1853), treatment of newborn child, manufacture of grass baskets, body decorations, appearance, spear ordeal, gives 70 items of vocabulary used by Colac tribe.