aroundworldortra00peebiala-1

AUSTRALIA. 75
CLOTHING. — COOKING. — HOMES.
Tacitus informs us that the ancient Germanic tribes spent
" whole days before the fire altogether naked." The old
Caledonians of Scotland were described by the Romans on
this wise: "They live in tents, without shoes, and naked."
Gov. Hunter thus mentions his glance at the natives of
Jervis Bay, New South Wales, Australia, in i789 :
" They
were all perfectly naked, except one yoimg fellow, who
had a bunch of grass fastened round his waist, which came
up. behind like the tail of a kangaroo."
The climate being temperate or tropical, they require but
little clothing. In the colder portion of the season, they
.
wear rugs made of opossum and kangaroo skins.
They are
not given to finery. The feathers of the emu, swan, cockatoo,
&c,, are their ornaments upon important occasions.
Some tattoo themselves. This custom, prevaihng quite generally
among uncivilized nations inhabiting warm countries,
owes its origin probably to a want of mental resources, and
more attractive employment of time, together with a love of
ornament. They bore the cartilage of the nose to suspend
bones and shells. American ladies prefer having the ears
bored. The Chinese compress their feet, French women
their waists.
Nutrition was abundant till the invasions of the Europeans.
They pitched their kangaroo meat upon live coals,
steamed their fish, and baked their turtles in the shell.
Hunting wild honey was a favorite pursuit. The mysnongroot,
the ends of tender grass-bulbs, the tops of certain
palms, and various wild berries, also
diet.
constituted articles of
Their dwelling-places, though unsubstantial, were sufficiently
comfortable for such a fine, warm climate. Sticks,
reeds, boughs, and blankets, by the side of a rock or tree,
with opossum rugs for breakwinds, were about all they desired.
These homes, though comparatively transient, were
made musical and happy in early night-time with the rela-