The Bora of the Kamilaroi Tribes. 149 



about fifty feet. In those clays there were plenty of men able 

 and willing to do the work, which was renewed and added to 

 every time a Bora was held there. 



Mr. J. Henderson, in his book, " Observations on the Colonies 

 of New South Wales and Van Dieman's Land," published in 

 1832, pp. 145-147, thus refers to a Bora ground near Wellington, 

 New South Wales : — " A long straight avenue of trees extended 

 for about a mile, and these were carved on each side with various 

 devices, most of which were intended to represent serpents in all 

 their different attitudes. On the upper extremity of this the 

 earth had been heaped up so as to resemble the gigantic figure of 

 a human being extended on his breast, while through the whole 

 length of this sylvan temple a variety of other characters were 

 observed rudely imprinted on the turf. The devices on the 

 ground bore a strong similitude to the lingen of the Hindoos. 



The devices on the trees represented snakes, 



the opossum, the emu, the kangaroo, the cockchafer, etc., while 

 others were stated to indicate the forked lightning, warlike 

 instruments, and falling meteors. The evil spirit seemed to be 

 described under the form of an eagle-hawk ; an imitation of his 

 eyrie formed a conspicuous object at the upper end of the grove. 

 At the lower extremity of the avenue, a narrow pathway turned 

 off to the left, and soon terminated in a circle, which was enclosed 

 by a wall composed merely of the loose earth." In a plate 

 appended to his work, Mr. Henderson gives drawings of some of 

 the devices on the trees and on the ground. 



The Thurrawonga Camp. — It is imperative according to 

 ancient tribal custom, to remove the entire camp to another place 

 after the boys have been taken away for initiation purposes.* 

 This new camp, which may appropriately be designated the 

 "Thurrawonga Camp," because the boughyard known as the 

 thurrawonga is erected there, may be only a short distance away, 

 or it may be several miles from the original main encampment, 

 according to the exigencies of the case as regards food and water, 

 or general convenience. As soon as possible after the novices 

 have been taken away by the head men from the large ring 

 known as the " boora,"in the manner described farther on in this 



* Jonrn. Anthrop. Inst., x.xv., 330. 



