The Aborigines of Victoria : with notes relating to the habits of the natives of other parts of Australia and Tasmania compiled from various sources for the Government of Victoria / by R. Brough Smyth
Contents of Vol. 1: Preface -- Introduction -- 1. Physical characteristics -- 2. Mental character -- 3. Number and distribution of the aborigines -- 4. Birth and education of children -- 5. Marriage -- 6. Death, and burial of the dead -- 7. A native encampment -- 8. Food -- 9. Diseases -- 10. Dress and personal ornaments -- 11. Ornamentation -- 12. Offensive weapons -- 13. Defensive weapons -- 14. Weapons and implements of the West Australians -- 15. Implements and manufactures -- 16. Stone implements -- 17. Nets and fish-hooks -- 18. Methods of producing fire -- 19. Canoes -- 20. Myths
Contents of Vol.2: Languages -- Appendices -- The Aboriginals of Tasmania -- Index
Summary
This 1878 study of the indigenous Australians in the Victoria region brings together the observations of those who lived or worked closely with the Aboriginal population in the mid- to late nineteenth century. Illustrated throughout, the volume preserves much information about Aboriginal society that might otherwise have been lost. The second volume of this 1878 compilation focuses on Australian Aboriginal languages, comparing the dialects and vocabularies of different regions. The book also includes nine essays by European settlers on a range of anthropological topics, and a final chapter outlines the customs and characteristics of the Aborigines of Tasmania
Notes
Facsimile reproduction of original ed., first published Melbourne : Govt. Printer, 1876
