320 Sir Ral'pli Payne-GaUumj, Bart., [May 29, 



The Australian war boomerang is nearly twice as large and heavy 

 as the returning one. It has no twists, is rounded on both sides, 

 and does not return to the thrower. 



This weapon will travel, skimming low over the ground, to a 

 range of from 150 to 180 yards, and the blow it gives a tree-trunk 

 at 80 yards, is as if the latter were struck by a heavy blunt sword. 

 As an instrument of savage warfare it would have a terrible effect on 

 a scantily clad opponent. 



The surfaces of all Australian boomerangs of good quality are 

 closely notched all over, excepting their edges. 



The Australian gave his boomerang this rough surface so that it 

 might bite the air in its flight, just as the outside cover of a golf 

 ball is roughened, for when golf balls were made with a smooth, 

 china-like surface, as they were formerly, their flight was short and 

 inaccurate. 



As an example of what can be achieved with an Australian 

 returning boomerang, I may relate that I have often had one circling 

 round in the air for 30 seconds. I have also projected a boomerang 

 for 100 to 150 yards forwards, that has returned over my head and 

 then passed 60*^ or 70 yards behind me. It has then once more 

 returned, skimming low along the ground, and knocked off an apple, 

 impaled on a stick placed near me. 



It is a common idea that the Australian returning boomerang was 

 used in native warfare, and that after striking an opponent it 

 returned to the thrower. Such a thing was impossible, as should 

 either the returning or the war boomerang strike an object, its career 

 is checked, and it then, of course, falls to the ground. 



The Sikh Quoit or Chakra. 



I consider these thin rings of steel were the most deadly and 

 terrible projectiles the unaided human arm was ever capable of 

 wielding, though they were, perhaps, rather too costly to produce for 

 common use. 



From time immemorial, and till the introduction of flrearms to 

 native races, this quoit was a favourite weapon in India, especially 

 with the Sikhs, who now throw it in sporting competitions at a mark. 

 It is made of the finest sword-steel, and is usually eight inches in 

 diameter, including its inch- wide rim. It is a sixteenth of an inch 

 thick and eight ounces in weight. 



It is as sharp as a razor round its outside or cutting edge, though 

 blunt and smooth on its inner edge where the fingers have to be 

 placed when it is projected. 



It was formerly the custom for a Sikh to carry a dozen of these 

 quoits, either on his arm, or his turban, or even round his neck. 

 They were then ready for instant use if required. 



Though this weapon, when properly cast, floats so easily and 



