Peculiar Habits and Customs of the Aborigines of Western Australia
by Alexander Milne Robertson and Peter J Bridge.
[ISBN 978-0-85905-881-0], (1879, 2021), A4, 42 pages, illustrated, 160 grams. $30.00*
A.M. Robertson, the Prison doctor for Fremantle and Rottnest wrote of the sub-incision (whistlecocking) of the natives at Rottnest. A unique mutilation, it has been the subject of interest to many over the years. This is his original published report and thesis on the subject. An appendix queries the origin of the rite and posits the introduction by Arab sailors at an unknown time. Also the story of the stolen or destroyed illustrated copy from the State Library of WA.