Letter received by Banks from Charles Francis Greville, April 1802 (Series 23.25) - No. 0006

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Hunters River has no inundatiion to fear, is 3 or four times as large as Patersons River - and is varied by rivulets & the most beautiful meadows & by hights champetre.  In my Excursions in this charming spot the Natives were seen, and in great numbers, all judging by the different kenous [canoes] I saw, for they never allow us to approach them.

I have seen them, to Escape faster, quit their Kenous and swim, tho I was a Mile distant with my boat & only had 2 Soldiers with me.  They navigate their skiffs along the river by a long pole, & make them go well against the stream. Their arms are the same as at Sidney. but longer.  Their Woomara [Woomera] are 3/10 inches & their Lances 18 to 22 feet long. They consequently must be more robust that our natives, tho in appearance they are not larger nor their limbs more supple, if I am not mistaken their arms are exceedingly Long.

Their nourishment is Fish, the roots of Fern and a sort of root or yam, which when only