Aborigines of Van Diemen's Land, 1830-1840 - Page 81
Primary tabs
Transcription
[Page 81]
# • 7
Manners & Customs.
It is truly surprising to observe the agility with which the Blacks could ascend the highest trees, sometimes ninety feet in height, and no branches on any part of the trunk. The women were made to perform this hazardous work, for the purpose of catching Opossums. A grass rope was made which fastened round the tree, was to slight slide. A cut was then made with by a rude Tomahawk about 3 or 4 feet height from the ground, on which to rest one foot. The rope was then slided hig higher up, and a second notch step made, and so one until the summit was obtained. The woman would then put her hand in the hole where the oppossum kept itself, and dragged it out. Should however the animal in despair leap down on the ground it is was immediately caught by the Blacks underneath formed a circle round the tree.