I 



MESSAGES AND "MESSAGE STICKS."— UAMLYN-H ARRIS. 



23 



where the message is reputed to eoinineiiee. At the other extreme end there is 

 a small ring in the centre of ;, l,l;nik, ;i„d a distinct " track" is visible extending 

 over half the length of the stick ; diamond-shaped or irregular triangular figures 

 predominate. 



Its message is reputed to be somewhat as follows:— The bearer of the 

 message is sent with another man for two gins (two notches: first notch single 

 virgni; second notch, widow would suffice), and intimates a big fight which is 

 to take place as a display of dexterity (not tribal fight). Nine wommeras 

 represented by diamonds, and six spears by lines, are sent together with relatives 

 of girls in payment for the two gins. 



The track indicates the distance to be traversed. 



OBVERSE. 



EEVEESE. 



Text-flgure 10. 



A me.':sage stick from Normauton, North Queensland. 

 (No. 971; 131 mm. x 11 mm.) 



This stick is encompassed by winding lines, the interstices being filled 

 with short cross-bars, the cuts of which are now and then broad. The surface 

 has been charcoaled. 



L 



BEVEESE 



Text-flgure 11. 



A rather long message stick from Bourke River. 

 (No. 2123; 317 mm. x 33 mm. in vfidest part.) 



The wood used for this stick is extremely soft, and white clay has been 

 smeared over a portion of the surface only. Crude boomerangs are marked upon 

 the reverse side. 



