The weight of this animal was one hundred and sixty pounds. On the inner side of each knee-joint I observed a collection of several hundreds of worms,[112] long, thin, and of a white colour, inclosed in a cyst of cellular membrane, through which they could be seen. It was situated external to the knee-joint. I dissected a cyst as perfectly as possible, and placed them in spirits; at the same time regretting that I had no means of preserving the joint with the cyst attached entire. Similar worms are said to exist in the stomach and intestines of the animal. These cysts, I understand, are not uncommon; some persons have asserted that they have never killed a kangaroo without them, whilst others declare they are more common in males than in females,[113] and are found in two kangaroos out of three. When examining the body of the kangaroo last killed, the attack of mosquitoes, horse-flies, and others, nearly obliged us to abandon our game, for portions of the animal were almost immediately covered with white maggots, (the “blow flies” in this country are viviparous,)[114] and on the conclusion of my investigations, we were glad to take our departure, and leave the carcase to myriads of tormenting insects that were fast increasing from all directions. I observed the molar teeth of the two female kangaroos had a layer of metallic substance incrusting them, and could readily be knocked off; it resembles the “golden teeth” often observed in sheep and other herbaceous animals.[115] The aborigines have a custom of preserving human fat. I observed it among the Yas, Murrumbidgee, and other tribes. They show it with reluctance to Europeans. I could not ascertain the motive with certainty. Some said it was as a charm—others that it was used in the cure of diseases: that it is applied to the latter purpose I believe, from having seen it smeared over or near the place at which a patient complained of pain, or had received injury. The fat is not taken from particular individuals, that from any human body being considered equally efficacious. The aborigines, when young, have the foot arched, becoming flattened as they advance in years;[116] and the children, as among all savage, and perhaps even civilized, races, when able to provide for themselves, are careless of parental regard or protection.