Mr. Ferguson on the Antiquity of the Kiliee or Boomerang. 37 



straight blade, and bears not the least resemblance to the sculpture. The 

 sculptured instrument is, on the contrary, identical in shape with weapons repre- 

 sented in the hands of certain figures in the collection of Egyptian monuments 

 published by Signor Rosellini ; and these weapons are manifestly clubs, (PI. I. 

 figs. 10, 11.) It is clear, then, that the weapon in the sculpture is a Clava. 

 That it is also intended to represent the particular Clava of Hercules may be 

 inferred with a pretty strong degree of confidence from the accompaniments. 

 It was a favourite practice with ancient artists to represent the influence of love 

 over the sterner deities ; as in the case of Mars, by young genii playing with his 

 sword and helmet ; in that of Jupiter, by their sporting with his thunderbolt ; 

 but particularly, and as a favourite study, they shewed the triumph of the softer 

 passion over Hercules, by Cupids represented masquerading in his lion's skin, 

 or tolling under the weight of his club. An inspection of any collection of 

 ancient gems will give abundant evidence of the favourite character of the sub- 

 ject among classic artists. That the weapon in the sculpture is, therefore, the 

 Clava referred to by Isidore, appears, on these considerations, highly probable. 



There remains, besides, the practical test. If this weapon truly represent 

 the club of Hercules alluded to by Isidore, an instrument formed on the model 

 of it will exhibit the peculiar flight of the Cateia. The experiment has been 

 tried, and the practical result confirms every induction drawn from the written 

 testimony. Such an instrument exhibits the reciprocating flight almost, if not 

 fully, as perfectly as the regularly shaped Boomerang. Indeed It Is Identical in 

 shape with one variety of the crooked implement at present used by the inhabi- 

 tants about Swan River, (PI. I. figs. 5, 6, 8.) 



It may, therefore, be concluded of this famous weapon, that the knotted 

 fustis of ancient monuments is only Its poetical representative ; but that the true 

 shape of the Herculean club, as understood by Festus, Isidore, ^Ifrlc, and 

 Johannes de Janua, is found in one variety of the Boomerang. 



This conclusion is further corroborated by the fact, that a reciprocating flight 

 has been ascribed to the weapon of Thor, who, it is well known, represents Her- 

 cules In northern mythology. " Lock gave to Thor a hammer, (says the Edda,) 

 which he told him would be serviceable in combating giants ; that it would 

 never miss its mark ; and that, though it should fly never so far off, it would 

 return forthwith into his hand as often as he threw it." " Hammaren gaf hanu 



