37 



Although boomerangs are not known to these tribes, a 

 small throwing-weapon (damatha ) of a flat, spatulate shape, 

 with small handle and sharp edges, is made of heavy iron- 

 wood, from six to twelve inches lonsf. It is gripped by the 

 handle with the right hand, and hurled edgeways, when it 

 flies through the air with revolving motion, to hit its mark 

 with either end ; it is capable of making a severe wound on 

 the victim. It is also sometimes used for killing game. 



Food and Water Vessels. 

 The strong coolemans or 'pitrin^ of Central Australia, made 

 of wood or bark, are not used by these coastal tribes, but are 

 replaced by less durable articles made of paper-bark. Boat- 

 shaped vessels of simple design are common. Sheets of paper- 

 bark are folded once along the centre longitudinally, and the 

 ends tied up with vegetable string."^ See fig. 37. 



Fig. 37. 



In a more permanent type, made of stringy-bark, the 

 ends are sloped and stitched together with cane, the sides 

 stayed by three inverted hoops of flexible twigs, and bound 

 crosswise by an equal number of vegetable-fibre ropes. The 

 sides are kept rigid along their central qA^q by stitching 

 rods to them. See fig. 38. 



Fig. 38. 



Provisional carriers are fashioned out of a long piece of 

 bark by folding it once upon itself longitudinally, then twice 

 across its length into the shape indicated by fig. 39. The 

 women carry this implement either under their arms or by 

 means of the sling described and shown on page 26. In it 

 are stowed the gatherings of the day, such as roots and 

 seeds. 



* Cf. W. E. Roth : North Queensland EthnograDhv. Bulletin 

 No. 7, Brisbane: by authority, 1904, p. 30, fig. 220. " 



