SPEAKS WITH INCISED ORNAMENT^ETHERIDGE. 1 77 



The second shorter spear is carved to a certain extent like the 

 first. From the butt to within two feet seven inches of the point, 

 two encircling or spiral bands traverse the surface exactly as in 

 the first spear, but they are connected by two other bands run- 

 ning somewhat obliquely to the weapon's length, and at the same 

 time are discontinuous, leaving free or unoccupied gaps. The 

 result is that even these disconnected bands become in the long 

 run elongately spiral in a contrary direction to the main bands, 

 and, where present, divide the spear surface into long ovals. Some 

 of the latter are occupied by zig-zag lines of nicks, either trans- 

 verse to the length of the weapon, or oblique to it. The apical 

 space of two feet seven inches contains an undoubted human 

 figure, with both arras raised straight above the head, a boomer- 

 ang-like object, and a third outline that may be intended to 

 represent a fish ; the first and last figures are obliquely cross- 

 incised. It is to be noted that the position of the arms in the 

 human figure is one frequently seen in similar representations 

 amongst the rock-carvings of the Sydney Disti-ict, and on the dilly- 

 baskets of North-Central Australia. Above the figures, and to 

 the apex, the surface is occupied by a single broad spiral band 

 cross-barred, the interstitial surfaces being ornamented in a similar 

 manner to those of the lower portion of the weapon. 



The third spear presents a complex style of incised sculpture, 

 extending from within eight inches of the base to four inches of 

 the point. It consists of short spiral bands terminating simply; 

 others meander and return on themselves, either at one or both 

 ends ; some again cross others forming oval loops by their inter- 

 section, ultimately becoming so complex that it is ditticult to 

 follow the pattern. Near the centre of the spear, on two of the 

 interspaces are two objects that may be intended for shields, 

 whilst on a third is another that has some general resemblance to 

 a conventionalised bird. The human form is absent. The carving 

 on this weapon is much rougher, and less well executed than on 

 the others, In all, the section is circular, the ends pointed, acutely 

 at the apex, obtusely at the butt. 



I am unable to state, either the immediate locality of these 

 spears, or the site of their manufacture. The first described by 

 me was derived from Angledool, on the Narran River, close to 

 the Queensland Border, in Central North New South Wales. The 

 equally long weapon, now described, is believed to be from the 

 Paroo River, rather more to the west, but from which side of the 

 border is not known. It seems possible that whether manufactured 

 or merely localised, this type of spear may be regarded as charac- 

 teristic of the district in question. It is, however, very difiicult 

 and even hazardous, in the absence of definite information, added 

 to the practice of barter, so common amongst the Australian 

 Aborigines, to fix the locality of any weapon or implement. 



