face. It is of the same character as the hair on the arms or hands, but thicker and closer.[1] I am not acquainted with a single case of albinism amongst the natives of Australia.
Odour.
There is little doubt that there is a peculiar odour attached to the persons of the natives even when they are clean in their habits. Some have a most offensive odour, due to their want of cleanliness and to their sleeping in their clothes. It is a different odour from that of Europeans of filthy habits, and as strong, or perhaps stronger. Dr. Strutt says that several of the natives have no peculiar odour when well washed and clean; others, however, in hot weather have a very perceptible odour.
The late Dr. Ludwig Becker noticed a peculiar odour, not depending on want of cleanliness, and resembling that of the negro, but not so strong. It appeared to him "as if phosphorus was set free during the process of perspiration. It is very likely this odour which enables the horses to discover the proximity of Aborigines, and thus saving many times the members of exploring expeditions from being surprised. Leichhardt, Gregory, and others describe sufficiently the mode in which the horse shows its uneasiness."[2]
Cattle and dogs, as well as horses, exhibit alarm when they are approached by a black for the first time, and when his vicinity could be known only from the odour.
Senses.
The sight and hearing of the natives are excellent, but it is questionable whether as regards touch, taste, and smell they are the equals of Europeans. Short-sight is not known amongst the people of Victoria.
Many of the natives are skilful trackers, and their services are frequently required by the police, who speak highly of their quickness and intelligence. The native trackers have on many occasions rendered important services to the Government, and when any one is lost in the bush the whites rely with the utmost confidence on the sagacity and skill of the "black-tracker."
Capt. Grey relates how his watch was recovered by a native. It had fallen from his pocket when galloping through the bush. "The ground we had passed over," says Grey, "was badly suited for the purpose of tracking, and the scrub was thick; nevertheless, to my delight and surprise, within the period of half an hour my watch was restored to my pocket. This feat of Kaiber's surpassed anything of the sort I had previously seen performed by the natives."[3]
"Their sight," says Collins, "is peculiarly fine; indeed their existence very often depends upon the accuracy of it; for a short-sighted man (a misfortune
- ↑ "Boys—full-blooded—begin to show a beard at the age of fifteen; and have a strong beard when nineteen. Half-castes show a beard at seventeen, and have not a strong beard until they are about twenty-four years old. There are several full-blooded children on the Coranderrk Station from six to ten years of age with hair on their backs one inch long and more, and as close as it can sit. There is also a third-caste white boy, about twelve years of age, with the same kind of hair on the back."–MS., Mr. John Green.
- ↑ Report of the Select Committee of the Legislative Council, 1858-9.
- ↑ North-West and Western Australia, vol. I., p. 315.
