Aborigines of Van Diemen's Land, 1830-1840 - Page 80
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[Page 80]
I have even read of in history or travels when having killed a kangaroo they would place it on the fire with the skin on, and the belly uppermost. to keep it from burning. When half roasted they would rub the hair hear off, then open the belly and take the paunch out and cut the thighs open in many places, when they would rub it all over the contents of the paunch, to preserve the carcass from burning, and they seemed to relish their meal with great satisfaction. When Mr Robinson subsequently brought in several of the Aborigines, they preferred the Kangaroo and Oppossum to our finest mutton, and beef, and would cook their meals in the yard or garden, over a small fire, in their usual way. When a Swan was had been roasted, some one of the women would take up the gut and commence eating it at one end, and in a very filthy manner, which when seen by an Englishman made a very disgusting appearance. They used to dig out of the lagoons wattalapee or pomalle, here called the native potatoes but bears no resemblance to the English root. The Aborigines were also particularly fond of what is called named the Kangaroo Apples and after pulling them, they placed them in Sand banks to get ripe. # Here insert page marked • 7
The arms of the Aborigines were of very rude construction, consisting only of a spears and Waddies, the later a sort of club. All the spears I