10 



Another form of self-mutilation which men or women 

 may inflict upon themselves at any time is produced by the 

 application of the heated end of a "ifire-stick four or five times 

 to the upper arm, and diagonally down the middle of the 

 chest from either side. See pi. li. This also gives rise to 

 elevated scars. 



First Initiation Ceremony of the Larkekiya Youth — 

 The Bollier. 



When the Larrckrya boy is to be initiated, his body is 

 decorated with bands of white that are made by sticking on 

 to him vegetable down from the seed-pods of a large tree, 

 locally called the silk-cotton tree ( Bomhatt malahatrica), 

 and feathers. A horseshoe-shaped band is thus formed, pass- 

 ing from ear to ear, down the cheeks, and below the chin; the 

 upper ends of this figure being connected by a horizontal band 

 passing across the nose below the eyes. A similar band extends 

 in front from shoulder to shoulder, above the nipples, and 

 from this, two bands pass downwards over the abdomen and 

 thigh to the knee, where each unites with a circle round the 

 jcint. From both shoulders a white line is drawn along the 

 upper arm to the plaited arm-girdles at the elbow ; additional 

 bracelets being worn at the wrists. 



Round nis forehead is tied a band, known as galamhaua, 

 made of numerous tw^isted strands of opossum-fur, woven 

 closely together, and coated with pipeclay. See pi. ii. The 

 ends of the strings of this band are tied together at the back 

 of the head by means of human-hair twine. Underneath the 

 (jalamhaua, at the centre of the forehead, is inserted a plume 

 of feathers of the Nankeen night-heron ( XycticoiKir calcdoni- 

 rus) or emu, attached to an ironwood stick, the plume being 

 downwards, while from either side of the head a fur- tassel 

 ((riniyciriim gauluqjmarjga) is hung by string. Identical appen- 

 dages are fastened to the armlets. A necklace made of seg- 

 ments of grass stems threaded together fmangulma) is worn, 

 and a broad belt ( danhldpihi ) of stringybark ( Eiiralyptus sp.), 

 which, by virtue of its coiled form, can be adjusted to a waist 

 of any size. The latter is made secure by tying the outer 

 overlapping end with fur string, which is then wound con- 

 tinuously and spirally round the belt for its whole length and 

 back again, thus producing a lattice-like effect. See pi. ii. 

 Tlie usual human-liair belt (herelgnui } is tied over this, and 

 from it the pubic tassel (dol-ira) is hung. 



The boys — several pass through the ordeal at the same 

 time — are separated, and made to sit in a row before the old 

 men, holding their eyes shut with their right hand. The war- 

 riors, with the variety of spear afterwards to be described as 



