BY WALTER E. HARPER. 



329 



4th chilch-en, over which well-defined patches of ash were found, 

 but in a much lesser degree to the 1st and 2nd children buried 

 against the back wall below^ a comparatively deep layer (2 feet) 

 of loose black soil almost free from ash. 



In addition to the five incomplete skeletons now mentioned, I 

 am informed several others, all of children, were recovered from 

 this shelter by its first explorers. 



The present state of the bones, depending as it does to a great 

 extent on the age of the child at death, the situation in the 

 shelter chosen for the grave, and the depth of the interment, 

 cannot well assist one in determining the intervals which elapsed 

 between the burials, but I feel sure that the adult was bu'-ied 

 long before any of the children. 



The great number of the latter interred here is possibly the 

 result of an epidemic fatal to its j^oungest members, visiting the 

 tribe then inhabiting the district. The question whether this 

 shelter was a well recognised and long established burial place, 

 or only availed of on two occasions, viz., upon the death of the 

 adult and later during the epidemic amongst the children, might 

 have been decided if the floor had been thoroughly and orderly 

 examined in the first instance. 



Scattered amongst the remains at the back of the gunyah I 

 discovered five stones used for breaking bones to extract the 

 marrow or for opening shells, and six small 

 shells* in the backs of which square holes had 

 been cut. The " nappers" have not been worked 

 in any wa}^, and, if found under ordinary 

 circumstances, would attract no special atten- 

 tion — yet it is evident they have been used for fio. 2. 

 the purpose suggested. The shells, I believe, formed part of a 

 necklet or some similar ornament. 



Between the remains of the first and second children, and 

 leaning against the wall at a depth of about 15 inches, I dis- 

 covered the curious lione ornament or implement now to be 

 described. 



* "Merita me/anotragus." The cutting implement was probably an oyster 

 shell or sharp flake. See accompanying drawing by Mr. Chas. Heclley. 



