436 CUSTOMS OF THE ABORIGINES OF THE ALBERT DISTRICT, 



equal size, and of a nearly square form, the vertical is very broad 

 and somewhat sinuate on its basal margin, behind that it narrows 

 in a curve for about half its length, when it becomes parallel-sided, 

 and finally terminates in a rounded apex ; the superciliaries are 

 large and broader than the vertical ; there are eight upper labials, 

 the fourth and fifth abutting on the eye. 



The obtuse deep head, two loreal shields, and jet black colour, 

 sufficiently indicate an almost more than specific difference between 

 this species and all the other Australian Tree snakes. There are 

 two specimens in the collection, the dimensions given I have taken 

 from the largest. 



Notes on Some Customs of the Aborigines of the Albert 

 District, New South Wales. 



By C. S. Wilkinson, F.G.S.. F.L.S, President. 



Mr. W. H. J. Slee, the Government Inspector of Mines, has 

 given me the following particulars regarding a singular ceremony 

 which the Aboriginal tribes of the Mount Poole district perform, 

 when, as is often the case in that arid region, they need rain. 



In many parts of that country gypsum occurs abundantly in the 

 soil, but the fibrous variety known as Satin Spar is comparatively 

 rare. The latter is highly prized by the natives, and is called by 

 them " rain-stone," for they believe that the Great Spirit uses it 

 in making rain, and probably also because they regard it as 

 solidified rain on account of the resemblance of its fibrous or striated 

 structure to heavy rain ; the more pronounced are the striations, 

 the more the stone is valued. 



About two years ago, Mr. Slee, when Warden of the Mount 

 Poole Goldfield, was specially invited by the principal chiefs of the 

 Mount Poole and Mokely tribes to attend a ceremony of " making 

 rain." On the day appointed, the natives with the exception of the 

 females, who are not allowed to see either the rain stone or the 

 ceremony, assembled and formed in a circle, in the centre of which 

 stood the oldest chief and Mr. Slee, no other person being permitted 

 to enter the circle. After a great deal of talking, dancing, singing, 



