I have found that particular districts, having a radius perhaps of from ten to twenty miles, or in other cases varying according to local circumstances, are considered generally as being the property and hunting-grounds of the tribes who frequent them. These districts are again parceled out among the individual members of the tribe. Every male has some portion of land, of which he c!
             an always point out the exact boundaries." (quoted by Reynolds,1972,pp139-140)
             In answer to a query from a missionary organization in Britain about the Aborigines' idea of property in land, John Dunmore Lang (quoted above) also) said land "is divided into tribes, more or less numerous according to the circumstances and designated from the localities they inhabit; for although universally a wandering race, with respect to places of habitation, their wanderings are circumscribed by certain well defined limits, beyond which they seldom pass except for purposes of war or festivity. In short, every tribe has its own district, the boundaries of which are well know to the natives generally; and within that district all the wild animals are considered as much the property of the tribe inhabiting, or rather ranging on, its whole extent, as the flocks of sheep and herds of cattle that have been introduced into the country are held by European law and usage the property of their respective owners. But particular districts are not merely the property of individual t!
             ribes; particular sections or portions of these districts are universally regarded by the natives as the property of individual members of these tribes. I have often heard natives myself tell me, in answer to my own questions on the subject who were the Aboriginal owners of a particular tract of land now held by Europeans; and indeed this idea of property in the soil, for hunting purposes is universal among the Aborigines...you may take it as certain that the Aborigines of Australia have an idea of ...