Page:Descriptive account of the panoramic view, &c. of King George's Sound, and the adjacent country.djvu/8

 8 however, end nearly all ideas of property, for they steal largely, and almost without disguise, especially when any thing is in the way which can appease a voracious appetite. Hunting and fishing give the principal support. Besides individual pursuit, strong parties often muster, and enclose a large tract, driving the game towards the centre of the circle, which is gradually contracted, until the animals are collected together within reach of the spearsmen.

The stormy weather of winter is chosen for hunting, and the hot days of summer, when the shoals of fish back upon the shallows, for fishing. As soon as a shoal is perceived, those who are on the watch rush forward, shouting and splashing, and generally succeed in spearing some, and frightening many out of the water on to the shore. In the creeks and inlets weirs are used, made of the branches of trees, but as canoes are unknown, fishing operations cannot of course extend beyond the shores and shallows. The group of natives in the foreground, represent a fishing party returning with their sport from the coast. Roots and herbs form also a portion of food; frogs, too, and other reptiles, exempted from any preparatory process of cookery, are by no means distained, and a large grub found in the grass-tree, is reckoned a delicacy.

During our intercourse with the natives, they have shown great quickness; and it was quite amusing to see the dexterity with which any