Page:The Native Tribes of South Australia (1879).djvu/287



has been remarked, that the numbers and condition of the natives of Australia are in general dependent upon the nature of the country they inhabit; where the latter is of a barren description, the natives will be found to be few in number, and of an inferior external appearance; while in the opposite case, they will be comparatively numerous, well-looking and active. With the truth of this observation anyone will be struck, who has had an opportunity of comparing the natives of this district with the Adelaide, and more particularly the Murray, tribes; the former being, upon the whole, fewer, smaller and thinner, less skilful, and less united, in a social point of view, than the latter.

The height of the Port Lincoln Aborigines is considerably below the European standard; a tall-looking black will seldom be found to exceed the height of a middle-sized white man, and with regard to size, the comparison is still more against them, so that one may safely venture to say that the tallest and strongest of them would present but a poor figure among a regiment of grenadiers. If it were not for their thin arms and legs, deep-set eyes, large ugly mouths and flattened noses, the Port Lincoln natives might be called a well-proportioned, compact race of men. They certainly have good foreheads, fine shoulders, and particularly high chests. The male sex exhibit a great deal of unstudied natural grace in their deportment, their walk is