302 MATHEWS— AUSTRALIAN BURIAL CUSTOMS. [^lay 7, 



people on the west. When surveying on the Darling and Paroo 

 Rivers in 1884-5, I ^^^^ ^^^ old black fellow who had a skull among 

 his paraphernalia, which he used for drinking purposes on cere- 

 monial occasions. Old " Jimmy," already quoted, told me that 

 in addition to their use as mourning emblems, the kopai articles were 

 imitation skulls which the spirits of the dead were supposed to use 

 for their water supply in that arid district. 



In Fig. I, which is drawn to scale, the firm or continuous line 

 represents the exterior of the article in its present state, viewed from 

 the side. The broken line at the top of the drawing indicates the 

 supposed form when first manufactured. The dotted line shows the 

 limit of the internal cavity, if the shell were transparent and one 

 could see through it. The total length of the article, outside, by 

 the assumed restoration, is 16 inches ; and the depth of the internal 

 hollow space, as restored, is about 13 inches. No impressions or 

 marks of a net are visible upon any part of the inner wall. 



The present weight of the article is just a little over 15 pounds. 

 At a moderate estimate, the portion broken off would weigh about 

 3 pounds, making the weight of the complete article about 18 

 pounds. Then we must take into consideration that the whole out- 

 side surface has suffered by disintegration during many years' ex- 

 posure to the weather. The same would apply to the inside surface 

 of the cavity, though in a lesser degree. The original weight has 

 also been diminished by the drying of the material in the sun for 

 such a long period. The reduction in the weight due to the two 

 combined causes mentioned is difficult to estimate; but judging by 

 the worn and contracted appearance of many parts of the surface, 

 I think 2 pounds could be allowed for it. This would bring the 

 total weight of the article, when it left the maker, up to about 

 20 pounds. 



Conclusion. 



Before concluding this paper, it has been thought desirable to 

 supply a few additional remarks respecting my three previous 

 articles on ceremonial stones and burial customs, published in the 

 Proceedings of this Society, Vol. 48, pp. 1-7, 313-318 and 360-362. 

 When the present article is perused in conjunction with the three 



