BY R. ETHERIDGE, JUN. 41 



fragment of quartzite, firmly set into the end of a rough handle of 

 wood, and secured in its place by gum." His example was 

 seventeen inches in length. In the tool from the Queensland 

 Museum more of the quartzite head is exposed than in Smyth's 

 figure, and the handle, thirteen inches in length, is proportionately 

 more slender and better finished, producing altogether a handier 

 though slighter instrument. The handle is gently curved in the 

 plane of the breadth of the chisel, so that the leverage of the 

 operator's hand is much more increased than if the stick were 

 straight. It is thickest in the middle, tapering off at both ends, 

 and is composed, Mr. F. Turner tells me, probably of a species of 

 Myoporum, one of the sandal-woods of the interior. 



The small stone-head was produced by chipping, the lower side 

 convex, the upper more or less flattened, and the cutting edge gently 

 curved. The gum securing the head to the handle is curiously put 

 on. On the convex face, or that side answering to the convexity 

 of the handle, the largest amount of surface is left exposed, the edge 

 of the gum curving from the cutting edge in a concave sweep. On 

 the other side, or that answering to the concavity of the handle, 

 the edge of the gum in the centre is horizontal, with a little lappet 

 on each side projecting forwards. 



According to Smyth* this implement is " commonly used by the 

 natives inhabiting the country north-east of the Grey Ranges." 



It is also met with in West Australia, for this author figures a 

 larger instrument of a similar nature, but differing in detail. He 

 remarks on thisf : — " Below the lump of gum in which the stone 

 is fixed, the implement for the length of an inch and a half is 

 smooth ; then there is a hollow, and below that the round stick is 

 grooved longitudinally, so as to enable the mechanic to obtain a 

 firm hold of it. The wood is not heavy "but very hard, and of a 

 dark reddish-brown colour. It is used for cutting and shaping- 

 boomerangs, shields, clubs, &c, and is employed also in war and 

 hunting. It is thrown in such a manner as to turn over in its flight, 

 and if it strikes a man or a kangaroo death is certain." Smyth 

 adds that the gouge resembles the implement used by the Grey 



* Aborigines of Victoria, 1878, I., p. 379. 

 t Ibid. p. 340, f. 150. 



