Statements respecting the appearance in our lakes and swamps of any creature at all resembling the Bun-yip are invariably ridiculed. It seems to be assumed that all living animals are known to man and described and figured in his books. Scientific men, however, are willing to enquire, and they are ready to publish and investigate facts whenever the interests of science require them to do so. In this spirit Mr. Charles Gould, F.G.S., the son of the eminent naturalist, has made known much very interesting and valuable information respecting the existence of a seal-like animal in Tasmania. The following extracts are taken from a paper read before the members of the Royal Society of Tasmania in 1872:—
"Having heard rumours, ever since my arrival in this colony, of some large and unusual animals being occasionally observed in the lakes in the great central plateau, I had often projected a trip of exploration to them, which circumstances have continuously prevented. However, I always bore the point in mind, and, therefore, when passing the evening at Constable McPartland's hut at the Picton, while on an expedition to the Cracroft, knowing that he had been for a long time stationed at the Great Lake, I made enquiry whether he had seen any strange animals in the lake. He told me instantly that he never had himself, but his son, who was much more about the lake, had done so several times, and calling him, desired him to tell me at once all about them. I find from my notes that the date of our conversation was September 1870, and that young Francis McPartland, who was an extremely intelligent and apparently truthful youth, stated that 'two years previously he had several times seen water animals in the lake at different places; he had a good view of them off the shore at Swan Bay, going from the station towards Mr. Smith's Neck. They were within a stone's throw of the shore, and seemed to be three or four feet long; they were three or four in number, and seemed to be playing about; they did not jump out, but were splashing about, and sometimes threw the water seven or eight feet up in the air. They showed their backs above water; also their heads, which were round, round like a bull-dog. They were darkish in color; he had seen them several times—once one alone, but generally two together; they swam about, keeping the head above the water; you can also see the shoulders; they show the back when they are splashing.' These were always seen by McPartland in some part or other of Swan Bay; sometimes near the shore, sometimes in the middle. Immediately on my
appearance, I thought at the time, would create alarm in the dusk of evening; but it is scarcely credible that so many strange tales should arise from this source. The natives are good naturalists, and are probably better acquainted with the habits of this duck than we are.
The Bun-yip is mentioned by Grey in his work on North-West and Western Australia. He says:—"The Wan-gul is an imaginary aquatic monster, residing in fresh water, and endowed with supernatural power, which enables it to consume the natives, although it generally attacks females. The person it selects for its victim pines away almost imperceptibly, and dies."
The belief in the existence of some strange creature in the inland and shore waters is spread over the continent. Mr. Earl says that the natives of Port Essington speak of a monster inhabiting the waters, which is regarded by them much as the Bun-yip is by the natives of the south. The Port Essington Bun-yip is supposed by the whites to be the dugong.
