PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS. 489 — 
might at first sight have been suggested, I do not consider 
this particular pastime to be imitative of canoeing.) 
(c) Bathing is, of course, always indulged im at any con- 
venient creek or waterhole, and in its wake comes splashing, 
diving, catching, &c. One will dive either to elude being 
caught himself, or the better to enable him to catch others, 
any convenient rocks or water-bushes. being utilised for pur- 
poses of eluding pursuit. Along the Bloomfield, among 
what may be called such aquatic sports, is one in which the 
individuai will, with a long breath, dive under water, and, as 
he swims along, blow bubbles up on to the surface; others 
will try and excel him. This may possibly correspond to the 
“ crocodile’? game—a favourite one amongst the Princess 
Charlotte Bay blacks—where the surface-bubbles, as the 
native dives along, are intended to imitate the reptile’s 
tracks. The Bloomfield aboriginals will also often seq who 
can jump into the water from the greatest height, this being 
always done with the feet foremost (R. Hislop). 
Imitative Games. (Objects and Phenomena of Nature— 
Inuitated by Attitudes and Movements.)—(a) The mimick- 
ing, by means of attitudes and movements, of various 
animals, birds, &c., forms an important item in the diver- 
sions with which the aboriginals will everywhere amuse 
themselves in their leisure hours. Emus and kangaroos can 
be very well imitated. With regard to the former (PI. L., 5), 
the mimic’s one arm and hand represent the bird’s neck and 
head, his own head and neck being possibly covered with a 
bark or Government blanket, the extremity of which he tilts 
up, with a bunch of feathers held in the other hand, to indi- 
cate the tail. Where, however, the attitudes require too 
much “stage property ” to produce realistic effects, I must 
warn the reader that it is somewhat difficult to draw the line 
of demarcation between this form of amusement as a game 
distinct by itself and those to be dealt with later, which are 
distinctly connected with certain ceremonia!—1.e., initia- 
tion—observances. 
(6) “Shark” is played by little children at Cape Bed- 
ford. The two arms are twisted one over the other (PI. IT.), 
and represent a shark’s movements in the water. A boy (or 
girl) rushes about with her limbs in this position, trying to 
catch whom she can. 
(c) Very small children’ at the Blomfield play “ March- 
fly” as follows:—Shutting his (or her) eyes, the one who 
takes the part of the fly runs about trying to catch someone, 
As soon as successful, he makes an unpleasant noise (imita- 
tive of the insect’s buzz) in the ear of the child caught, and 
also gives it a pinch (indicative of the sting). 
