166 SUPERSTITIONS OF NORTH QUEENSLAND ABORIGINES, 
THEIR ORIGIN. 
They seem to have no theory relating to their whence nor con- 
cerning their arrival in the country. They are impressed with the 
belief that there were blacks in the land before them, and speak 
of them with vagueness and wonderment. Not only their present 
and future but their past also is in some way related to the 
stars in the heavens—which connection is the subject of their 
legends. 
Propuction OF Ratn, &. 
They have firm faith in the power of producing rain being 
possessed by many of their number. The means adopted, by 
those who have this faculty, are as curious as various. Some of 
the Gulf tribes skin a native cat (Dasyurus), and hang it ina 
tree; or break up mussel shells, with the fish in them, and 
return the material to the water; others gather up dust, throw it 
into the air, and then blow upon it with their breath; whilst 
others, again, steep the entrails of opossums in water, accom- 
panying the operation by the performance of certain ceremonies. 
Kwyockine our THE Front TEETH. 
The blacks knock out their two front teeth, for they believe 
that when after death they enter into the future state—Yalaury 
—they will be thereby qualified to drink of the good clean water ;, 
and, unless they have undergone this operation whilst on earth, 
they will only partake there of thick and muddy water. 
Orysrat. 
Particular crystals, called Roré, play an important part in 
many of their ceremonies, and are regarded with feelings of 
superstitious reverence, as in some way connected with their 
future existence. These crystals are retained by the principal 
of the old or medicine men of the tribes, who produce them when 
occasion requires, but at other times carefully conceal them. The 
and impediment to him, catching in the grass, as he expressed himself, he 
deliberately removed them, and accordingly has now but four toes on 
either foot. 
