in each of these the variations of custom run through
the gamut of possible differences. In each of them also the native
population may include different stocks, though on this point there is
uncertainty. Differences of climate and topographical situations there
are, but these do not always account for the diversities of culture and
custom.[820]

+468+. _Australia._ In the heart of Central Australia (the home of the
Arunta and other tribes) there are clans that bear the names of their
totems, and trace their descent from half-human totem ancestors, with
whom they consider themselves to be identical; totems, however, are not
hereditary, but are determined by the ancestor connected with the place
where the mother first becomes aware of the child within her; each clan
performs magical ceremonies to secure a supply of its totem for the
associated clans, and, when the totem is an animal or a plant, hunts or
gathers it and brings it to be distributed; at the distribution the
headman of the providing clan must eat a little of the food
ceremonially, and at other times clansmen eat of it sparingly;[821] the
rule of exogamy relates not to the totemic clans, but to the phratries
or subphratries.

+469+. In the South Central region these features are found, with an
exception in the rule concerning eating one's totem. Sometimes, as in
the Urabanna tribe, such eating is forbidden. But among the Warramunga
there is a relaxation of the rule in the case of old people--for them
the food restriction is removed (apparently a humanitarian provision);
on the other hand, for other clansfolk there is an extension of the
rule--the prohibition includes two subclasses of the moiety to which the
clan belongs, and conditionally includes the whole moiety (this is
perhaps a cautionary measure, to guard against the possibility of
unlawful eating on the part of clansmen).

+470+. The special feature in North Australia (on the shores of the Gulf
of Carpentaria) is the absolute prohibition of eating the totem. In
regard to the performance of magical ceremonies for increase of the
totem also there is the peculiarity that a clan is not bound to conduct
such performances--it is optional with it to do so or not; it has
magical power, but is not required by custom to exercise it. It is
suggested by Spencer and Gillen that this variation from the usage of
the Central region is to be attributed to the more regular rainfall on
the coast, which insures a more