A];oi!i(;ix.\i, wdKivsudi's KriiKKiixiK AN'U \viiiTi:ij:< ii ;K. 



•J 4:5 



in-etty uiiifurni, but in size they are \ery vari- 

 able. They are generally oblong with the bases 

 truncate and the apices more or less rounded by 

 chipping, the lateral margins usually have clear 

 cut sharp edges just as if they were flaked from 

 the core, but in some instances secondary' chip- 

 ping has been resorted to, to make the requisite 

 sjiarp edge on one or both sides. In the majority 

 of specimens the sides are notched so as to pro- 

 (hice a series of saw-like teeth, fine on one side 

 and coarse on the other. There is little doul)t 

 that these implemenrs were used as gravers, by 

 the aid of which the elaborate line work was 

 made on boomerangs and other weapons. One 

 of us'* in 1890 gave a full and definite account 

 of this class of implement which has often 

 been figurcnl fi-om many parts of the world. The evidence as to 

 the purposes to whicli these instruments were i)ut was fi'oiii a 

 reliable eye-witness. 



In the description it was stated that "the two cliips exhibited 

 were given to me by Mr. George 8weet, of Brunswick, Melbourne, 

 who saw them used by 'Jerry,' of the Telebra Tribe at Marathon, 

 Central Queensland, to produce the indented lines ornamenting 

 wooden weapons. They are composed of a black brecciated chert, 

 with glossy lustre, and a subconchoidal fracture, but appear to 

 have been fortuitous fragments chipped from larger masses, and 

 more or less triangular in form. Mr. Sweet informs me that tlie 

 chips ai'e held tightly between the fingers of the right hand, the 

 weapon to be worked reposing on the left, and supported by tlie 

 left ai-m. The chip is then used as a chisel, the carving, in the 

 practiced hand of the black, i:>roceeding with great rapidity." The 

 specimens figured on PI. xliii.. Group 1, will fully prove these 

 gravers are not "fortuitous fragments," as at first supposed, but 

 implements that liave been deliberately manufactui-ed for a 

 definite purpose. 



Judging from the instruments generally, apart from the tri- 

 angular form, they appear to be usually adapted for use by the 

 index finger and tlunnb ; the truncated base is somewhat oblique 

 and well calculated to afford a firm hold when applied to the 

 fleshy part of the thuml) ; the rounded apex also forms a surface 



1' Etlicridge Xoti-s on Aiijitr. Al»oriy;inal Stone VVeajioiis and lni|>l-;. (Vroc. 

 Linn. Sor. X. S. WmI.-. v.. |s<)(). p. :!(17, f. i:!). 



