Howitt to Fison 26 September 1878

Transcription - Page 3

by ethnologists who will build up their theories thereupon.
On one point I noticed this mischevious statement of pseudo facts;
A large map is given showing the bounds the "tribes' [sic]- many of these
according to my view are clans. The one place which I
can put to the test Gippsland does not at all
agree with what the "Kurni" have told me over and over
again. The name of the tribes [underlined] are very unknown to me,
the boundaries are given with a precision of which I doubt the
accuracy and yet all this will be handed down
for posterity as "exact science'" so to say. I shall now have
to accurately define the tribe, the clans, the
divisions and their boundaries. Fortunately
for my purpose but not fortunately for theirs
several sick blackfellows are today going to arrive
at Sale Hospital where I shall this afternoon
interview and interrogate.
Yours faithfully (for the present)
more shortly