A 'landmark in Australian anthropology' when it first appeared in 1880, this is the first major analysis of Aboriginal social structure, adopting a model today termed 'social Darwinist'. While this theory is now rejected, it exerted tremendous influence on European attitudes for decades, making this an important sourcebook for such ideas.

Fison's chapters are theoretical and general, Howitt's are packed with rich details, such as the names of his informants and localities.

Lorimer Fison (1832-1907) was a Methodist missionary; William Howitt (1830-1908) was resident magistrate of Gippsland.