f matting when the wind is fair. Considerable
nicety is also shown in the making of fishing lines and hooks. The
former are made from the fibres of a species of climber very neatly
twisted. The fish-hooks are made of tortoise-shell, or nails
procured from wreck timber. They are without barbs, and our
fish-hooks are eagerly sought for in place of them.

16. The food of the natives consists chiefly of fish, and, in the
season, turtle, with roots and fruits. These latter and shell-fish
it is the business of the females to collect and prepare. They may,
however, be truly said to be omnivorous, for nothing comes amiss to
them, and the quantity they can consume is almost incredible. I have
seen them luxuriating on the half putrid liver of a large shark cast
up on the beach, the little black children scooping up the filthy
oil, and discussing it with apparently the greatest gusto.

17. These remarks apply to the four tribes which inhabit the
territory within the limits mentioned at the commencement of this
report--viz., the peninsula to the northward of the Kennedy River.
These four tribes are not distinguishable from each other in any
distinct peculiarity that I can perceive. They keep each to their
own territory, except on the occasion of a grand "corroborie," when
the whole assemble. They are at present on terms of peace nominally.
Should a safe opportunity of cutting off a straggler offer, I have no
doubt it would be taken advantage of. They are cowardly and
treacherous in the extreme. The "Gudang" tribe, claiming the land
from Cape York to Fly Point, at the entrance of Albany Pass, is small
in numbers, having, I fancy, been seriously thinned by their
neighbours, the "Kororegas," from the Prince of Wales' Island, in
Torres' Straits, who frequently come down upon them. Paida, Mr.
M'Gillivray's 'kotaiga' (friend), was not long since killed by them.
The "Goomkoding" tribe, who live on the north-western shore, I have
seen little of. They and the "Gudang" seem to hold most
communication with the islanders of 'Torres' Straits, the
intermixture of the races being evident. "Kororega" words are used
by both these tribes, and the bow and arrow are sometimes seen among
them, having been procured from the island. The "Yadaigan" tribe
inhabit the south side of Newcastle Bay and the Kennedy River; the
"Undooyamo," the north side. These two tribes are more numerous than
the two first-mentioned, and appear to be of a m