31 



of classfication of main types of Australian spears, as der 

 scribed by Spencer and Gillen."^' 



T///;^ (Jf). — Single-pronged, multi-barbed spears, with 

 the barbs on one side only. The shaft of heavy or light 

 wood : 



This is one of the most common types, and usually has 

 the shaft of light wood. See fie^- 23. The variations in length 



Fig. 23. 



of the barbs are marked; the longer they are the less effec- 

 tive is the weapon for hunting purposes, but the more prized 

 as an article of show on special occasions. They measure 

 from a fraction of an inch to several inches, while the length 

 of tlie spear is from ten to eleven feet, of which the barbed 

 head occupies about two feet. 



The shaft is almost invariably made of bamboo, the 

 head being of heavy dark wood, the latter being inserted 

 into the cavity of the thicker end of the slightly-tapering rod 

 up to a small shoulder cut into the head as a short, blunt 

 barb. A firm attachment is effected with beeswax. At the 

 opposite end a small hole is left by cutting the reed a short 

 distance beyond a septum. Sometimes this end is coated 

 with a thin layer of beeswax, and wound round with vege- 

 table fibre or fur-string. In the Woc/a/f and Berrinr/in the 

 hole is lined on the inside with paper-bark, which is further 

 firmly pressed down into it. This acts as a cushion, saving 

 the point of the spear-thrower from wear. The Larrekiya do 

 not take this precaution, but, on the other hand, make the 

 points of their spear-throwers blunt ; the former two tribes 

 using a sharp one. 



The spears are covered with red-ochre, and during special 

 ceremonies are ornamented with white and vellow patterns. 



Ti/jx' D. — Single-pronged, multi-barbed spears, with shaft 

 of light wood or reed. The barbs are arranged along two or 

 more sides of the head. 



Spencer and Gillen, in describing a form of this type, 

 state that it has evidently been derived from an original form 

 with a long, simple-pointed head. This evolution is apparent 



' The Northern Tribes of C-entral Australia. 1904, pp. 671 

 ff spq. Cf. also the types described by Etheridge. from the Alli- 

 gator River tribe: Macleav Mem. Vol., Linn. Soc X.S.W. 1893 

 pp. 229-235. 



