516 PROCEEDINGS OF SECTION F. 
the opposite knee (in the position of rest), and a hopping 
step introduced. The various positions assumed by the 
arms and hands vary in great measure with the different 
implements that may be brought into requisition; some- 
times the ground is struck with the flats of the hands. 
With the females, the movements of the lower limbs also 
present great variety; usually a jerky movement, with 
rarely a separation of the legs. The arms, unless otherwise 
employed with a string or other ornament, are commonly 
maintained in such a manner that the hands rest on the 
hips, while the elbows, sticking out at the sides, are rythmic- 
ally drawn backwards and forwards. Sometimes a finger is 
put in the mouth, a typical position on the Lower Tully 
River (Pl. XXXVII.). Im many dances the women never 
turn their backs on the audience, even when retiring to their 
places. The dancing is always individual—nothing in the 
shape of couples, &c.—notwithstanding the many variations 
in initial position—e.g., square formation, Indian file. In 
the. N.W.-Central districts the dancers are invariably led by 
one or sometimes two ‘‘ masters of ceremonies,’’ or “leaders,” 
who may be distinguished occasionally by an extra feather- 
tuft on the arm, &c. The Pitta-Pitta blacks speak of such 
a leader ‘as the father, or “old man,” the remaining dancers 
being the “ children.” 
Entertainments.—The ‘“‘corrobboree,” so named by 
Europeans up here in the North, comprises any ordinary 
“social and concert,” generally, but not necessarily accom- 
panied with a dance—an entertainment by the tribe in 
general. 
The true social commences at sunset, and may be con- 
tinued late into the night, even until sunrise; and, if some 
special performance is being enacted, may be resumed for 
_three, four, or even five nights consecutively. Fires supply 
the illumination. Of course, there are exceptions to this 
rule of always having their socials at night, but when held 
in the afternoon are rather for those wherein the women 
would take a greater share in the performance, and the men, 
if present at all, far less trouble in their decorations. In a 
certain sense, ‘“‘afternoon teas” and “evening parties”’ 
would give an idea of their relative importance. (Cor- 
robborees, however, have this peculiarity, that all persons 
present are simultaneously audience, performers, and 
orchestra; visitors may, of course, be present as spectators, 
but usually only when ignorance prevents them being par- 
ticipants. In some of these entertainments there may be no 
personal decorations at all, the performance consisting of a 
