This fact definitely fixes the
point--geographical and also historical--at which the advanced ideas of
the Papuan in the science of boat-building ceased to influence the tardy
Australian. Ere knowledge of the counterbalance crept further south, the
advent of the arbitrary white man brought its progress to a full and
final stop. Fragile single canoes of bark were the only means of
navigation here, and not many men in these degenerate days can
successfully imitate the work of their fathers. Owing to disuse, the
talent in that direction has almost been lost. Lost, too, are many of
the legends which were wont to be handed down from one generation to
another, and forgotten the very names of common objects. But these
investigations do not pretend to depth, nor are they presented in any
authoritative manner. No attempt is made to discuss the Australian
aboriginal in general nor from any particular standpoint. A few
side-shows and character sketches, are offered in the attempt to
interest and entertain.
In some respects our blacks, said to be among the finest physically in
Queensland, and desperately deceitful, are cute and as independent of
artificial aids as ever.
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