Ethnographical Studies in North Queensland ¹

Abstract

THE student of folk tale, custom and belief will find in the last Bulletin issued by Dr. Walter E. Roth a mine of trustworthy data which will furnish new illustrations of the working of the mind of a primitive people. Though similar stories, ideas and habits may have been recorded previously by various observers in this and other parts of the world, yet none the less this record is of value as it confirms the older accounts in their broad aspects, and gives instructive variations in details. Some of the customs appear to be peculiar to the North Queensland natives, while others are definitely Australian in character. The information is given in those short, pithy paragraphs to which Dr. Roth has accustomed us; at times we could wish for more detailed information, but, on the other hand, we are spared any unnecessary verbiage, and there are no hypotheses or guesses. It is a comfort not to have to pick out facts from a mass of writing, and also to feel that the information can be absolutely trusted.