Page:Madras Journal of Literature and Science, series 1, volume 6 (1837).djvu/340

318 are generally erected in a sheltered spot, near water, with the back towards the prevailing wind, and a fire is kept burning constantly in the front; one hut contains several individuals in a crowded state—the dogs, also, are admitted to a share of their bed. An encampment rarely consists of more than seven or eight huts; for, except during the hunting and fishing season, at which time large parties assemble together, their numbers are generally small, and two or three huts suffice. The number of individuals, however, seldom exceed fifty. The huts are so arranged as not to overlook each other; the single men have one to themselves, the children sleep with the women in a large hut near the husbands: these encampments generally consist of near relatives, and comprise families rather than tribes.

Those families who have locations on the sea coast, quit it during the winter for the interior, and the natives of the interior in like manner pay visits to the coasts during the fishing seasons. As the country does not abound in food, they are seldom stationary, removing, according to the time of year, to those parts which produce the articles of provision which may be in season. During the winter and early spring they are very much scattered, but as summer advances they assemble in greater numbers. It is at this season that they procure the greatest abundance of game; it is done by setting fire to the dry underwood and grass which rapidly burns. With a kind of torch, made of the dry leaves of the grass tree, they set fire to the sides of the covert, by which the game is inclosed and cannot escape. The hunters, concealed by the smoke, stand in the paths most frequented by the animals, and spear them with facility as they pass by. On these occasions vast numbers of animals are destroyed; the violence of the fire is frequently very great, and extends over many miles of the country, but this is generally guarded against by their burning it in consecutive portions. The women also kindle fires, but only for the purpose of taking bandicoots; they sometimes however, accompany the men at the larger firings for kangaroos or waleby. As soon as the fire has passed over the ground, they walk over the ashes in search of lizards and snakes, which are thus destroyed in great numbers, and those which have escaped their holes are easily discovered. In the chase the hunters are assisted by dogs, which they catch young and domesticate; but they take little pains to train them to any particular mode of hunting. In size and appearance they resemble our fox hounds; they appear to have a very fine scent, and draw upon their game like a pointer, after which they spring