European scientists were endlessly fascinated and puzzled by Aboriginal customs. In this lithograph, Aboriginal methods of punishment by spearing are depicted. If Europeans found such customs abhorrent, Aboriginal people were just as revolted by some of the white man’s ways of punishing offenders (Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW – Montagu Scott, ‘Customs of Aboriginals in NSW – Punishment’, ZV*/ Aus Abo / Man / 1 or V / 168) [http://acms.sl.nsw.gov.au/item/itemDetailPaged.aspx?itemID=861368]