BY ¥RnZ NOETLING, M.A., PH.D. 79 



this fact. If we calculate the weight for a given unit of 

 length, say, 100 mm. (4 inches), we find that it weighs: — 



Gland average, 15.145 grammes for every 100 mm.-of length, 

 which is therefore less than half the weight of the lughrana 

 for the same length. 



Another peculiar feature is the position of the centre 

 of gravity ; whatever the length or weight of the perenna 

 may be, it balances slightly more than ^ of its length from 

 the pointed end. In other woi'ds, that the perenna was 

 grasped with the hand in such a way that j of its length 

 was in front and '^ behind it. 



The accxirate figures as tc the position of the centre of 

 gravity from the jioiut expressed in a fraction of the length 

 would be : — 



These figures seem to indicate another interesting 

 feature, namely, that the position of the centre of gravity 

 shifted somewhat with the length ; in the shorter perenna 

 it was only slightly forward of the ratio 0.25000, while in 

 the longer perenna it nearly approached the ratio 0.30000. 

 This really means that the longer spears were grasped some- 

 what farther back fi'om the point than the shorter ones. In 

 round figures about 9/12 of the total length were behind the 

 hand in the shorter and 8/12 in the longer perenna. The 

 perenna is invariably pointed at the thicker end, and the 

 greatest care was taken to produce a smooth, sharp point. " 

 Very little is known as to how the perenna were made, but 

 the examination of the specimens, together with other obsei- 

 vations, enable us to form an approximate conjecture. 



There grows in the Tasmanian bush a kind of shrub 

 poptilarly known as tea-tree (Melaleuca). This shrub grows 

 up in long, straight shoots, and the wood is, when dry, of 

 considerable hardness. These shoots were used in the manu- 

 facture of the perenna. It is not quite certain whether the 



