The Coalville times. [volume] (Coalville, Utah) 1894-1923, 1902-11-28
Vol. TX
ADoRIoINEs OF AUSTRALIA
Described by Elder John p. Stevens, .,
Missionary TO that Land.

ADELAIDE, Australia, Oct. %, 1902
Enron TIMES:
Thinking perhaps that some Of my
iriends would like to hear something OF
the aborigines Of Australia, will en-
deavor to sive you brief account Of
their appearance, habits and customs.
The height Of the average native is
about Eve feet xix inches, bot he il not
well porportioned, az one would imagine
from seeing his picture a. published to
the world he is, on the contrary, pos
sessed Of very small limbs, and on first
sight makes decidedly uniavorgble
impression, owing to hissmall limbs and
large trunk.
When HE natural tint is not obscuref
by paint and grease, he ia seen TO be Of a
dark copper or sooty brown color, and
some Of them present very peculiar ap.
pearance from the fact that they wear
long flowing boards and perfect shvck
Of straight bristly hair.
fla person goes back any distance in
TO the interior he will find they do not
trouble what they will wear on the NOR
row, or even today, for they simply wear
no clothing at all, but where they have
come in contact with the whites, they
have adopted his manner Of dress, and
1t is not an unusual thing to see them
dressed in the most fashionable way,
with snow white collars and cuffs aud
ties which in color rivals the hues Of the
brightest rainbow. They, like our la
diane, love bright colors, which present
n striking contrast to the dark'sooiy
color Of their skins.
They have many peculiar customs,
some Of which will mention in brief
hut drst must say that this race Of
people are considered by travellers and
explorers to be- the lowest specimens Of
the human race, and are classed by
many who claim to believe In evolution
ne tie missing link between man aud
the lower animals.
The possession Of a complete and
handsome set Of teeth IL regarded by
most civilized people as matter for
congratulation aud envy; not 30 with
these artless children Of the bush. They
have a peculiar custom OF knocklpgone
.,nr ,nars.sif their front tULth out AZ q cer-
.II4ase. aud this practice may be said
10 be universal throughout Australia.
They seem 70 think some vacancies in
the front row add beauty or attractive.
ness to their appearance, besides con-
ieirinS dignity upon them. The surgical
operation by means Of which the teeth
are extracted isa very rough and ready
description. A sharp stone lie placed
against the tooth, which is knocked out
with another stone used as n hammer
This operation must be very painful but
is submitted TO with that sioical patience
which distinguishes the blacks under
nil their trying ordoals which custom
demands OF them ON account Of the
scarcity OF food and water in their ma.
tive land. This custom is a very an
eient one and was practiced when Capt.
kCook fret discovered Australia.
Another custom which lie so prevalent
ns TO be- almost universal il that Of hor-
lirg hole through the nose, which is
ldone by q sharp stick or bone, and is
leradually enlarged until II becomes the
lrrqnired size. Upon festive occasionr
hoo snan bone from the wing ol q haV X
h. PLACED through this hole and forms
bar, ol their gala ATTIRE. IL il said some
III the natives utilize this cavity la the
hose 10 carry their pipes when not be-
lns smoked; and migl, here remark
hat tho native Is ptsE'lnatsiy addicted
the use Of tobacco. which, by the
liy, was unknown until the white man
iitn his boasted civilization, made bic
Importance ON this land.
They nlsn have another custom among
hem which g. similar to tatooing
lhey cut their bodies with sharp stones
nd the sears left BY these wounds form
ng lines drawn in parallel bars to the
limher Of ten or twenty across the front
the body and sometimes across the
LEX. lnttt Muuhut HIt ploNtnAeH N"H
laling too soon by rubbing them with
.hes Or the down feathers Of the hawk
has been thought by some that the
lrigines cannot be very sensitive Il
In; such is not the case, however, FOL
y Who has travelled among them stateI
M he Witnessed this operation per
med upou the DacE Of ayoung wo'
n, and that her cries were heart
lding vet when he offered TO inter
h Tor her che insisted on having thu
,mooy performed without fur'he
AZ. for she would have been consid
a coward by her own people II sh'
permitted the ceremony to be stop
.nd would have lost their iayo
by ~ submitting 20 this terri
aie.
10 be eoneluded,l