THE ABORIGINES 



more ease the exposure to the weath< r. They make 

 Incisions in their flesh, particularly on the thighs, anus, 

 and breasts. This is done with a sharp Hint, so as 

 generally i<> form longitudinal lines parallel to each 

 other. The wounds arc kept open by artificial means 

 until proud flesh is Eormed, and a lasting protuberant sear 

 produced. These marks arc rendered more numerous 

 by a custom which prevails among them of lacerating 

 any pari <>F their bodies affected with pain. This they 

 suppose to be productive of relief. The bones of 

 deceased relatives, which some of them wear about them 

 as tokens of remembrance, are frequently tied on the 

 affected limb lor the same purpose. Roomeh-tymyenna, 

 the wife of a chief, carries constantly on her bosom the 

 skull of an infant. They connect some superstitious 

 notions with the practice, evidently regarding it in the 

 light of a charm. 



As soon as it was dark on the evening of our arrival, 

 preparations were made for a corrobberry, or dance, for 

 joy at the arrival of the cutter. The men strip off their 

 clothes, but the women, who occasionally join in the 

 dance, make no alteration in their adopted dress. A fire 

 of sticks, or boughs that make a lively blaze, was made, 

 around which the men formed a circle, and began a kind 

 of song or chant, consisting of expressions frequently 

 repeated, and uttered in a drawling monotone. The 

 subjects of these songs are various ; sometimes the pur- 

 suits of hunting, and the enumeration of the animals that 

 become a prey to their dexterity ; at other times the 

 feats of war, and their sanguinary conflicts with adverse 

 tribes. A very common description relates to the habits 

 of animals, such as the emu and kangaroo ; and, since 

 they have become acquainted with Europeans, to the 

 horse, the cow, &c. They accompany the words with 

 significant gestures and actions. Thus in the emu-dance, 

 by bending forward an arm over the fire, and making a 

 movement with the hand, like the motion of a bird's 

 head, they imitate the bird in its peculiar habits. In 

 the horse-dance, which they call barracoota,* they lay 

 hold of each other's loins, one following another, and 

 imitate the prancing of the animal, while a woman stands 

 by and imitates the driver, gently tapping them with 



* Jorgenson gives as the equivalent for " horse," baircoutaua ; Norman 

 gives parcbutenar. 



