is the name of the kangaroo.  This word was repeatedly used to them last year, as well as this, accompanied by an imitation of the leap of the animal, which they readily understood; but on repeating the word kangaroo they always corrected us by saying “men-u-ah.”  This animal has therefore been distinguished by a name which chance alone gave it; and not, as has always been supposed, from the term applied to it by the natives of the part where Captain Cook first saw it.

The resemblance of the words in the following vocabulary proves that the language of these people has not changed since Captain Cook’s visit; and that in the term for kangaroo he has been mistaken.

COLUMN 1:  ENGLISH WORD. 
COLUMN 2:  WORD ACCORDING TO OUR VOCABULARY. 
COLUMN 3:  WORD ACCORDING TO CAPTAIN COOK.

Kangaroo :  Men-u-ah :  Kangaroo. 
Canoe :  Mar-a-gan :  Maragan. 
Eye :  Ca-ree, or Me-ell :  Meul. 
Nose :  E-mer-da, or Po-te-er :  Bon-joo. 
Ear :  Mil-kah :  Melea. 
Teeth :  Mol-ear. 
Knee :  Bon-go :  Pongo. 
Toes :  Eb-e-rah. 
Navel :  Tool-po-ra :  Tool poor. 
A quail :  Kah-kee or Mool-lar. 
Friend :  It-chew. 
Pigment :  Wo-parr. 
Feathers :  Te-err. 
Hair of the head :  Mor-re-ah :  Morye. 
Beard :  Wol-lah :  Wallar. 
Nipples :  Coy-o-ber-rah :  Cayo. 
Fingers :  Mun-gal-bah. 
Elbow :  Ye-er-we. 
Huts :  Ye-er-kah. 
Go along, go away, or go on :  Tattee or Tah-tee.

Among the presents made to them were some beads which they appeared to consider of little value; but what pleased them most was a bird that Mr. Hunter shot previous to their appearance.

Their visit did not last longer than a quarter of an hour during which they were very pressing for us to accompany them; finding us however unwilling to trust ourselves in their power, for from our experience of their mischievous behaviour last year we had good reason to be suspicious of their intentions, they went away, but after walking a short distance, one of them returned, and stooping, picked up something with which he immediately slunk off, evidently with the hope of having escaped our notice:  but in this he was disappointed; for Mr. Hunter and Mr. Cunningham followed him and ascertained that he had returned to carry away his spear which had been concealed close at hand during their communication with our party; and by the limping gait of the rest it was probable that they all carried spears between their toes; a practice that has been frequently observed among the natives in many parts of New South Wales, when they wish to conceal their being armed; and which generally indicates a mischievous intention.

Shortly after their departure the country towards the back of the harbour was perceived to have been set on fire by them; as the wind was fresh the flames spread about in all directions; and in the evening our people being allowed to range about for amusement, increased the conflagration by setting fire to the surrounding grass; so that the whole surface was in a blaze.