244 



Measurement of Time. 



114-117. They refer to the number of sleeps to indicate days, to 

 moons for months, and to seasons for longer periods. In con- 

 versation they will say, " I am going away for two sleeps " (two 

 days). " I shall not return for one moon " (one month). " It 

 will be ' Meewidgie ' (wet season) before I return." The time of 

 day is reckoned by the sun, and they take notice of the phases 

 of the moon. All their principal corroborees, for instance, are 

 held on the night when the moon rises at the same the sun sets. 



118-120. They determine the seasons by the ripening of fruit, 

 and by the changing of the monsoons ; but they have neither 

 names for the different months, nor have they a conception of the 

 lunar or solar year. 



121-123. They note the change of the monsoons ; the south-east 

 sets in about May, and they know then that the wet season is 

 over. The north-west monsoon sets in about October, and they 

 are then on the look out for the wet season. Their ideas on this 

 subject may best be explained by the description as given by my 

 interpreter : — " First time rain come on, we call 'im ' Meewidgie.' 

 By-and bye rain go aw^ay, cold fellow come on ; we call 'im 

 ' Ramardoo.' Then dry fellow come up, we burn 'im grass ; we 

 call 'im ' Warrema.' Then big fellow hot come on ; we call 'im 

 ' Gnardya.' " So that it would appear from this that their new 

 year comes with the rainy season, say in October or November. 

 Nothing whatever in the shape of a time-keeper is kept by them. 



Games and Dances. 



124. The young people amuse themselves with small grass 

 spears, blunted at the end. Young men have a gam.e they call 

 " Bowitgee " (going about). A ball is made of paper bark, firmly 

 tied round with string, and about the size of a tennis ball ; there 

 are no definite rules for the game, which simply consists of 

 throwing the ball from one to the other very rapidly, and it is 

 wonderful what a time they will keep it going. A young fellow 

 will often just touch the ball, and make it glance off to the next 

 man. A terrific yell of derision greets the unfortunate one who 

 lets it drop. They show, however, a great deal more zeal and 

 attention to their mimic war, which they carry on with the 

 grass spears. This grass may be from four to eight feet high or 

 more. 



125. A very popular dance with them is to form a square, 

 opposite sides of which advance, keeping time by stamping 

 heavily on the ground ; on meeting in the centre, each side raises 

 the right hand high above the head, and exclaims " Yi ! " 

 altogether in a high falsetto voice ; they then retire to their 

 places, and the other sides advance in a similar way. The 



