42 



RECORDS OF THE AUSTRALIAN MUSKUM. 



Fig. 25d. 



Fig. 25c. 



palmar side, the coil thus becoming divided into a number of 

 loops. The proximal loop {i.e., the one nearest the palm) is 



picked up on the dorsal aspect 

 with a little stick or twig (fig. 25a), 

 brought forward, and given a twist 

 (flg. 256). The twist is then con- 

 tinued V)y rolling between the fore- 

 finger and thumb, and completed 

 by rolling between the right palm 

 and outer thigh ; what has thus 

 become a tassel is now held down 

 by the left thumb, while the next 

 proximal loop is made into a tassel, 

 and so on, each tassel being fixed 

 with the thuml), until the star-like 

 article (fig. 25c) is completed, and 

 manipulated into sliape (fig. -250?). 

 39. Digital Amputation. — All 

 the Leichhardt-Selwyn District, 

 whom I met, though but a few are left, had suffered the 

 loss of the little finger, the left (PI. viii., fig. 6). A similar 

 condition is reported from the Northern Territory^'', and as the 

 same practice was once in vogue amongst the females in the 

 Rockhaini)ton ai'ea, on Fraser Island, at Brisbane^ '^, and even 

 at Sydney >'*', its original area of distribution must have been a 

 comparatively large one. At Fraser Island, ^^, it was said to 

 have been done during infancy by the mother, but when the 

 baby cried too much, someone else had to do it, though in one 

 particular case a woman had done it for herself wlien a girl. 

 The method employed was by binding the finger tightly round 

 and round with a strong cob-web, or when that was not available, 

 hair-twine, thus allowing the top to turn black and mortify, 

 when it was held in an ants' nest and eaten off. The reason 

 assigned for the custom were that they could dig the yam? up 

 better with three fingers than with four, and that when fighting it 



the Kalkadun women of 



•''8 In certain tribes visited by Mr. H. Basedow the amputation of the 

 right index finger is general (Trans. Roy. Soc. S. Aiistr., xxxi., 1907, 

 p. 8.) 



37 On the authority of Mr. T. Petrie. 



3** See G. Harrington's "History of New Soutli Wales," wi\ere tliere is 

 an account given of the operation a.? performed at CJovernment House for 

 the delectation of Governor VhilHp. [For an epitome of observations on 

 this subject see Etlieridge — Rec. Austr. Mus., V., 5, 1904, p. 'J73]. 



^"■^ From enquiries made through Mrs. (iribble. 



