ABSTRACT
M y purpose in this Chapter is to discuss some aspects of Hsu's (1965) hypothesis in relation to two Australian Aboriginal societies: Gunwinggu, which is primarily matrilineal, and "Murngin," which is primarily patri lineal: the first is located on the western side of Arnhem Land, the second on the east. I shall not discuss the socio-cultural situation in either case, but references appear throughout. Published material is available on the Gunwinggu by my wife and myself and on the "Murngin" by Lloyd Warner and ourselves: we have carried out fieldwork over several years in both regions.
