BY R. ETHERIDGE, JUNE. 195 



joint at their ends, but remain free and extend the whole length 

 of the weapon. The figures consist of three runs, each of two 

 lines, or six in all. The crown or centre of the boomerang bears 

 a single run of broken zig-zag notches extending its whole length 

 (PI. XV. %. 2). 



The third boomerang (PI. xv. fig. 3}, that with the slight knee at 

 the centre, presents the gi-eatest complexity of ornament, and is the 

 most highly carved boomerang that has yet come under my notice. 

 The two halves of the surface differ somewhat in pattern, but the 

 chief elements are the following : — The crown presents an undu- 

 lating serpentine figure of three double incised lines returned 

 at each end on itself in the form of loops, but one, the larger, 

 ending abruptly against its first part, whilst the smaller passes 

 underneath its first part. Both ends of this figure stop consider- 

 ably short of the boomerang apices, and are not even perfectly 

 equilateral with regard to the central transverse line of the 

 weapon. The intra-marginal areas are occupied by a series of 

 successive half-ovals, also formed by three runs of two lines each. 

 There are two pairs of these ovals at each end beyond the termi- 

 nation of the central serpentine figure, but they are not equal in 

 size, nor as to the space occupied by them. All other intervening 

 spaces carry smaller ovals, and right or curved line incisions cut 

 in different directions. The immediate apices of the boomerang 

 are smooth, but at one end there is a space occupied by a broken 

 zig-zag line of single notches. 



The weight of these boomerangs is nearly the same, twelve and 

 fourteen ounces respectively. They are, I believe, made of Miall 

 wood, and are fighting boomerangs, and are propelled by being 

 thrown under the left or shield arm. 



It will be noticed that when these weapons are held in the hand 

 with the incised or convex side uppermost, that two curve to the 

 right, and the other, or that with the least sculpture, to the left. 

 In other words, the surfaces have been reversed. 



With regard to carved boomerangs generally, I have failed to 

 obtain any evidence as to the meaning of the devices — whether 



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