90 NOTKS UN THK HUNT1.\(; STIt KS, K'lW 



Now, unless wv assume that the Duterrau eiigraviug, 

 leproyeutiug an Aboi-iginc holding a spear with his teeth, 

 is an invention pure and simple, a view which is certainly 

 not supported by other evidence, we must admit that the 

 Aborigines used their teeth in connection with the manu- 

 facture of the spears. To me it seems probable that the 

 repeated process of placing the wood in the fire and scrap- 

 ing it, attcrwards. curved or bent the straight shaft, and 

 that in order to straighten it, the teeth crripned it (like a 

 vice!), while the two hands, by slowly effecting an upward 

 pressure, gradually bent it straight. 



This view is greatly supported by the position of the 

 hands. The back is turned outside, the muscles of the arm 

 are in rather a strained position. i\ow. as everybody can 

 obsei've for himself, it is very easy for the arm to exercise 

 an upward jDre-sure by simply moving the elbow outwards, 

 if in the position as depicted by Duterrau. A downward 

 pressure is much more difficult to exercise, because the 

 points of the elbows will have to be brought together; if 

 the Aborigine straightened the spear by a downwards pres- 

 sure, which, by the way, would involve a sevex'e strain on 

 the lower jaw, he would have griniDcd the spear in such a 

 way that the back of the hand was turned towards his own 

 face, because in such a position the arm can easily exercise 

 a downward pressure. 



It is further interesting to note that, unlike the tero- 

 watta. which were made whenever required, the speai"s 

 were made in advance for further use, the two men having 

 made nearly 50 spears. 



The fire burning between them apparent.lv confirms 

 the view that it was required in the manufacture, other- 

 wise there does not seem to be any reason why there should 

 be a fire. 



These two men are depicted without the curious head 

 dress, in their naturally curly hair, both showing rather a 

 strong beard. 



It is obvious that these two figures are the same as 

 those shown in the larger group, and tlie only question that 

 could arise is, which represents the original sketch. I almost 

 feel inclined to think that Duterrau actually saw the two 

 Aborigines making spears, and having sketched th?ni, after- 

 wards coni])o.sed the group in which the.sc same two figures 

 are so prominent. It will, however, be noticed that in the 

 second engraving the front portion of the spear held by the 



