Aboriginal Wooden Weapons of Aiislralia . 49 



The chief differences exhibited in the various forms of war 

 boomerang are those of ornamentation, size and angle measure- 

 ment. These characteristics are chiefly of local significance. As 

 a rule the north and west produce the most interesting specimens, 

 those of the best decoration being made by the former; and the 

 Kylie, a keen, effe(5live little weapon weighing often only a few 

 ounces, and possessing two angles, coming from the latter. The 

 manufacture of boomerangs is, however, general and their barter 

 extensive. The wood most generally used is a species of acacia. 

 The following forms of war boomerangs, based upon their orna- 

 mentation, are noteworthy: 



Fluted. — Boomerangs of this kind were invariably ornament- 

 ed on both sides and uniformly colored red or black. The weapon 

 shown in Plate IV, No. 8737, is representative, except in its extreme 

 size, which reaches 49 in. It was used by the extinct Dieyeri 

 tribe of Central Australia, and was obtained at Coolya water-hole. 

 The color of this weapon is a dull red, and the irregularly parallel 

 flutings have been scored with a flint chisel. 



Colored. — Boomerangs of this class are either colored red 

 throughout or are marked with broad transverse red bands. The 

 specimen No. 1369, Plate IV, is from the Albany tribe of West 

 Australia. It is chieflj^ remarkable for its lightness and for its 

 peculiar shape, which approximates to that of the sickle and furr 

 nishes the weapon with two distinct angles. 



Carved. — These weapons are characteristic of the northeast. 

 They are incised with neatly made curved lines upon their upper 

 surface only. Two specimens are illustrated in Plate IV. Of these 

 No. 7030 bears representations of what may be reptiles. No. 1367, 

 from Queensland, is somewhat similar to the last specimen in de- 

 sign ; the compound line running throughout its whole length is 

 effedlive. 



Plain. — Weapons bearing no ornamentation, either of incision 

 or coloring, are common. Specimens of these will be seen in the 

 Australian cases. 



The feat of throwing the boomerang is difficult to any but a 

 native. The peculiarities of each weapon have to be considered 



Occasional Papers B. P. R. M., Vol. II, Xo. 2. — 4. 



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