UNKNOWN AUSTRALIA.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1218, 29 August 1911, Page 5

UNKNOWN AUSTRALIA.

SWEDISH EXPEDITION'S REPORT. By Tclosraph—rrcß9 Association—CopyrisM Perth, August 28. The members of the Swedish scientific expedition describe North-west Australia ns the most interesting country in the world from a scientific standpoint. Many of. the natives are of a distinct seniitic cast of features. Thoy arc decidedly cannibalistic. IN THE HINTERLAND. THE AUSTRALIAN BLACK AND HIS WATS. The members of the Swedish scientific expedition, which left Fremantlo on September 29 last year in order to explore the hinterland of the Great North-west of Australia, returned to Fromantlo on August 17. Under the leadership of Dr. Mjoberg .they have collected during that period 70D birds, 100 mammal?, 250 reptiles, 100 amphibians, a large quantity of fish, over 20,000 low animals, and hundreds of specimens of plant life. All tho four members have enjoyed the best of health, though fever was very prevalent. They left Derby, and went hundreds of miles inland to the Leopold Ranges, and the Fitzroy River,' obtaining many rare specimens of bird life.

In the course of an interview, Dr Mjobcrg mentioned _ that there might be some racial connection between the Australian native and other races in other parts of the world. The boomerang, for instance, was only used by ono other race besides Australia. This weapon was also used in India by a certain tribe, and this tribe also owns a dog which is usually indigenous to tho natives of Australia. There was also a great anthropological similarity between tho Australian native and the NeandtTthat race—a race which is now extinct' in Europe. There have been fossil remains found in some of tho caves of Franco and other parts of Eurand these very much rescmblo our natives. There is tho same low, descending forehead, going straight back, and there is the same voluino of skull. This is what Dr. Mjoberg has to say. of the natives:—"lt must be admitted by the members of this expedition that tho Australian native is not so low as many people imagine. For instance, tho natives at the various mission stations learn to read and write to their bosses in very quick fashion. Of course, their morale is considerably lowered directly they come in touch with civilisation. That is usually tho case with low races. History tells us that there is a poor class of natives round about the mission stations of the Nor'-West, but you notice a difference directly you reach the back country. Then you come across a big, powerful race of men. Some of them I have seen standing as high as 6ft. Sin., up in the St. George .We had no adventures with the natives. As long as you keep them ■ away, you are all right. They won't tackle you in broad daylight. At "night time they are afraid. They huddle together in a hcao. They arc frightened of spirits. They are altogether very superstitions. Just about daybreak you want to look out, and wateh carefully, for it is then that they attack. When you seer nigger tracks, but you cannot see any nigger, then that is tho time to look out for squalls. The natives amongst themselves aro very moral.

"I was much struck with the non-tropi-cal nature of the country. There is no rich tropical vegetation or jungle, si:ch as you encounter in parts of Africa and South America.' It is what you should call 'pindar' vegetation, that is, big, thin trees, scattered hero and there. The trouble about the country is the uncertain rainfall. During the past throe or four years they have only been receiving up there half their average rainfall. When it does rain properly, owing to the country being so flat, the place is covered with water. No, I don t think the territory would at present be suitable for growing rice and sugar. The Government is at present making exneip-ents with cotton up there. Tt would he n fine country.for sheep and '.-attic, if the rainfall was right."