194 HIGHLY ORNATE BOOMERANGS, 



enchase many of our Natives' boomerangs. As a general rule the 

 surfaces of this interesting missile are plain, but in other cases a 

 series of incised lines cover one at least of these aspects, arranged 

 in a variety of devices, the figures being enclosed by right or 

 undulating lines. Very few of these ornate weapons have been 

 figured, and still less described, and perhaps, in consequence, a 

 few notes on three very excellent examples may not be out of 

 place. The boomerangs in question are from Norley on the Bulloo 

 Rivei', about twenty miles from Thargomindah, in N.S. Wales, 

 and I am indebted to the kindness of Mr. S, Chatfield, L.S., of 

 Sydney, for an opportunity of figuring them. 



The weapons are neai'ly of a size, about two feet six inches 

 long, whether measured from point to point, or along the curve, 

 and from two, to two and a-half inches wide, practically flat on 

 one face and plain, gently arched or convex on the other, that 

 bearing the incised figures. Two of the weapons are gently and 

 gracefully curved, the third is slightly elbowed or bent transversely 

 in the middle line, and this is the most ornate, whilst all are 

 emai-ginate at the apices, with a small central mucronate extension. 

 In the first boomerang (PI. xv. fig. 1) the incised lines form four 

 unequal disjointed serpentine figures, each consisting of four lines. 

 They occupy three-fourths of the surface, the remaining portion 

 being unornamented, possibly left so from want of time, or oppor- 

 tunity for its completion, and even one figure is more incomplete 

 than its fellows. Each is returned on itself twice. Four of the loops 

 and one of the marginal spaces are carved, three of the former with 

 broken zig-zag markings, whilst in the latter the lines are double. 

 The remaining loop carries two V-shaped notches, part of a third, 

 and seven longitudinal series of single and separate incisions, from 

 three to six in a row. In three instances the free ends of the 

 loops are ended short ofi" by transverse bars. The loops represent 

 figures resembling a much drawn out letter S. The whole of the 

 incised lines are well inscribed, the only trace of wavering appears 

 to have been at the rounded ends or return of the loops. 



The second boomerang presents a much simpler pattern, con- 

 sisting of intra-marginal waved or serpentine figures that do not 



