BY GRAHAM OFFICER. 239 



In shape and form the specimens of the A type vary much in 

 detail, although the general form is well marked. Generally they 

 are about 12" more or less in length, round in section. The 

 proximal end is from H" to 2" in diameter, and is hollowed out 

 slightly. This feature is invariable. The distal end terminates 

 in a blunt point. In some cases the body or shaft is of the same 

 diameter about where the narrowing to the point begins; in other 

 cases the body swells to its greatest diameter about the middle 

 of its length. Some are straight, others have a slight bend ; 

 some are flattened on one side, and most have certain incised 

 markings on them, generally various combinations of short lines. 



(B) The specimens of this type are quite distinct from those of 

 type A. So far as I have seen, they are invariably made of kopi. 

 They are of about the same length as the A specimens, but 

 broader and flattened in section, while in shape they are more or 

 less oval. On one side they are convex and on the other flat, and 

 some are pointed, especially at one end ; some have a slight 

 bend, the flat side forming the interior of the bend. 



There can be no doubt but that the "stones" of the A type 

 were placed over graves. Although I have never seen them in 

 this position myself, having generally found them lying about or 

 in the vicinity of sandhills, yet several gentlemen who have lived 

 for many years in the district have assured me that they have 

 frequently seen them placed on graves immediately after the inter- 

 ment. Mr. — Hatten, Stock Inspector of Bourke, formerly of 

 Yanda Station, and who has been on the Darling for forty years, 

 tells me that the number varied considerably. Sometimes only 

 two, sometimes seven or eight, would be put on the grave. Mr. 

 — Goddard, of Yandilla, says he has seen as many as twelve or 

 thirteen on a grave, and that they were always placed in a circle, 

 the blunt or proximal ends being stuck in the sand, and the 

 distal ends pointing inwards slightly. 



In November, 1900, Mr. Goddard, having discovered a grave 

 with "stones" still in situ, I went with him to investigate it. 

 It was situated on Curronyalpa Station, on a sandhill, about three 

 miles back from the river (Darling). The site of the grave was 



