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superior in every way to that now living. The existence of individuals of a lighter complexion than usual—a fact commented upon by several observers—seems also to confirm that opinion.

In conclusion, reference may be made to the opinion of Dr. Klaatsch that the Australians are unitary in origin, and that variations are the result of isolation and local circumstances. This suggestion, however, seems to disregard certain ethnological and biological facts, all of which go to prove that the present Australian native is an admixture of at any rate two practically pure stocks.

No more has been attempted on this question than to give a résumé of the various theories held by different investigators. No new theory is advanced, as that propounded by Sir William Flower and Mr. Lydekker appears to meet most of the difficulties, and in the present state of Australian ethnology seems to rest upon the soundest evidence.

Closely allied to the question of origin is the con- sideration of language, and, as we have already pointed out, there is evidence all over Australia that the various dialects are all derived from a common root. That the dialects possess local peculiarities and differences owing to local circumstances is only to be expected, but the opinion expressed by Sir George Grey in his "Vocabulary of the Dialects of South-Western Australia" is apparently true of the whole continent. Referring to the dialects of the country from Perth to King George Sound he remarks:—"Throughout the whole of this extensive range of country the language is radically the same, though variations in dialect and in the use of certain words by single tribes are very considerable, but certainly not more than from the scattered and ignorant state of the population, the little intercourse existing between adjacent tribes, and the want of any fixed standard of speech, we might have been led to expect." As a rule, the dialects are soft and melodious, being marked by the absence of s, x, and z sounds, and in many cases of j, g, and v. The absence of sibilant sounds is general throughout the continent, and is one of the factors of moment in the consideration of origin. Grammatical construction of a kind exists, but so far we do not know enough to speak definitely about it. The structure is flexible and the emphasis usually on the penultimate. No provision is made for the expression of abstract conceptions or for reckoning up further than three, though there are ingenious methods, for example, of fixing a future date more than three or four days ahead. There is no written language, but communications are conveyed by means of a messenger or a message-stick. The hunting cries are wild and strange, with a pronounced distinctness of sound, commencing with a hard consonant, as "kau" and "kooee." The north-west dialects are more musical than those in the south, and possess other differences due mainly to altered local conditions. In addition to message-sticks a sort of gesture language is also used, as well as messengers who relate their news to the old men, to be by them disseminated among the tribesmen.

To ascertain even approximately the number of aborigines remaining in Western Australia is extremely difficult. The estimate of 50,000, said to be the total number at the date of the foundation of the State, cannot be used as a basis, as it is quite evident that it was purely an effort of imagination. Mr. Coghlan in 1898 estimated that there were 12,183 in contact with whites, and the census of 1901 returned 6,181 full- and half-caste aborigines civilized or semi-civilized "in employment or living in proximity to settlements." Those living in a wild state were not included. The late Protector of Aborigines (Mr. H. C. Prinsep) in 1906 estimated the number of the savage natives to be about 20,000, but the present Chief Protector, after visiting the Kimberley district and having also the opinion of Mr. Canning as to the desert tribes of the north, is inclined to think the number overstated, and that 10,000 or 12,000 would be nearer the mark. On that basis the total number of Western Australian aborigines would be approximately 25,000.

Considering the very large extent of territory embraced by Western Australia we can scarcely expect physical uniformity among the tribes. Intermixture of races, particularly in the north, where evidences of Malay infusion exist, and local variations of climate and food supply, must in the course of time have had a definite influence on the bodily appearance. Proximity to the white man wherever it occurs also leaves its mark, generally in the direction of degeneracy, so that no description of the aborigines limited to the specimens we see about the various settlements may be considered typical of the race. But though differences seem to be marked when contrasting individuals, when comparing tribe with tribe in their natural condition there are certain pronounced similarities in build and general appearance that enable a description to be given that may be considered typical.

We are accustomed to speak of the aborigines as black, but the skin is really of a dark copper colour, changing to a dirty pink shade on the soles of the feet and the palms of the hands. It is particularly soft and velvety to the touch, emitting that strong odour characteristic of dark peoples. The hair is generally black, but instances of red and fair hair are met with, combined with a lighter complexion, even in places where peculiarity cannot be ascribed to alien infusion. It is