ABSTRACT OF PROCEEDINGS. xiii. 



thereof, have enabled us to take a broad general view of 

 the whole subject, and also to realise the necessity for 

 further work on special details. He pointed out, however, 

 that the time for " dilly-dallying " had passed, and that 

 unless we set to work earnestly and sincerely to save such 

 records as remain, we should not be without responsibility, 

 and the stigma of disgrace would not be undeserved. He 

 therefore urged the Royal Society of Queensland to take 

 the matter more seriously, and to give it the attention it 

 deserved. Amongst the exhibits shown were : — (1) A native 

 pillow, made entirely of emu feathers. This is the first 

 instance of anything of the kind having reached us. The 

 habit of sleeping with only the flat ground beneath the 

 liead being universal throughout Queensland. (2) A series 

 of eel-bone charms from the Atherton District, made from 

 the pectoral girdle and branchiostegal rays of the eel, 

 mounted in gum cement. It would appear that these were 

 in use by young boys when being initiated into manhood. 

 They are worn hanging en the chest, and the opposing tribe 

 is supposed to throw spears at them during the ceremonies. 

 The native name is " Wak-Kee." (3) A charm which 

 seems to be connected with revenge. The flat stick, the 

 ends of which are ovate-spatulate, has stretched along its 

 surface a piece of human skin which is kept in place by being 

 tightly wound round with a species of pliable cane, but 

 beyond the fact that the specimen was taken forty years 

 ago in the Marlborough District bj^ Mr. T. Illidge, no 

 information is available. These and many other exhibits 

 showed how extremely necessary a proper understanding 

 of the native is. The idea was beginning to take root, 

 that as soon as possible a scientific expedition should be 

 equipped and sent to the more remote parts of the State, 

 ere the sands had entirely run out. 



Dr. Shirley, Mr. T. Illidge, Dr. Butler-Wood, and the 

 President contributed to the discussion. 



Mr. J. F. Bailey exhibited a cassowary's egg. 



Abstract of Proceedings, November 15th, 1915. 



An extraordinary meeting was held in the Geology 

 Lecture Theatre in the University, at 8 p.m. 



