466 MATHEWS — ROCK CARVINGS AND PAINTINGS. [Nov. 19, 



Donations to the Library were reported and thanks were 

 ordered for them. 



The decease of the following members was announced : 



Mr. William Woodnut Griscom, of Philadelphia, on Sep- 

 tember 24, 1897, get. 46. 



Dr. Harrison Allen, at Philadelphia, on November 14, 

 1897, ^t. 56. 



Mr. E. H. Mathews presented a paper on " Rock Carvings 

 and Paintins^s of the Australian Aboris^ines." 



The Society resolved itself into the Committee of the 

 Whole, and continued the consideration of the proposed 

 amendments to the Laws. 



The Committee rose and reported. The Society resumed its 

 session, Vice-President Pepper in the Chair. 



The Finance Committee reported upon the legacy of Henry 

 Phillips, Jr., deceased. 



The meeting was adjourned by the presiding officer. 



ROCK CARVINGS AND PAINTINGS OF THE AUSTRA- 

 LIAN ABORIGINES. 



(Plate X.) 



BY R. H. MATHEWS, L.S. 



{Read November 19, 1897.) 

 INTRODUCTORY. 



The wide distribution throughout Australia of these native draw- 

 ings would lead us to expect that the figures of animals and various 

 objects carved upon large rocks — and the groups of hands, varying 

 in number and in relative position, as well as weapons and other 

 tribal devices painted on the walls of caves — had some symbolical 

 meaning in connection with the myths and superstitions of the 

 natives, or were commemorative of events and scenes in the history 

 and life of the tribes. Most of the figures of animals were probably 

 intended to represent the totems of the different families; but it 

 seems reasonable to suppose that some of the smaller drawings and 



