BY R. ETHERIDGE, JUNR. 301 



other hand, there is the possibility that portions of shell were 

 attached at this end also, in addition to the double peg. Which- 

 ever it may have been, the presence of the latter indicates at 

 least a varietal departure from the lath-like weapon of Agate 

 Creek already described. In the absence of the native name of 

 this weapon it may be known as the " Fore and Aft Womerah." 



The length of this womerah is three feet one inch, the width at 

 the centre two inches, and at either end one and three-eighths 

 inches, showing a slight degree of taper towards the extremities. 

 The wood is extremely close, hard, and dark-coloured. Several 

 indentations and chippings of the upper edge show this to be an 

 old wea])on that has seen good service in the hands of its sable 

 possessor. 



The second type is much shorter, thicker, and slightly curved. 

 The proximal or fore end is simply rounded off, and is a good deal 

 hand-stained from frequent use. The spear-peg at the distal 

 termination is long, very obliquely set, and held in position by 

 twine, or even perhaps sinews, and a very coarse kind of gum- 

 cement. The length of this womerah is two feet one and a half 

 inches long across the curve, with a uniform width of one and 

 two-eighths inches, except at the proximal end, where it broadens 

 somewhat, and becomes at the distal end flat, top and bottom, 

 apparently to give a good abutment for the spear-peg. This 

 womerah is very handy and must have been effective, giving one 

 the idea of a much more serviceable and powerful weapon than 

 those previously described. 



The late R. Brough Smyth figures* a number of womerahs with 

 blunt or semi-rounded proximal ends, but they are all broad- 

 bladed weapons. One,t however, is more akin to that now under 

 description ; at the same time, the spear-peg is cut out of the 

 same piece of wood as the womerah shaft itself^ and there is a 

 slight rise in the centre of the latter to form a bridge or support 

 for the spear. This will be more particularly referred to in the 

 next to be described. 



* Aborigines of Victoria, 1878, i. p. 309, f. 88-92. 

 t Aborigines of Victoria, 1878, i. p. 310, f. 94. 



