100 ABORIGINAL CANOES AND PISHING. 



strong or so durable as tlie grass-tree. The test as to the 

 fitness of the grass-tree for this purpose is the manner in 

 which it breaks off from the stem of the tree. It is never 

 cut with a tomahawk, and must not be either too green or 

 too dry. 



In constructing a spear, two splits are made at one end of 

 the stick, at right angles, and the pith extracted to the depth 

 of 3 or 4 inches. This end is then bound round with ribbon- 

 like strips of bark, obtained from a small shrub or from the 

 kurryjong tree. The aperture is then filled with grass-tree 

 gum, a resin having much the appearance of gamboge in its 

 pure state, but as generally used it is not unlike pitch, in 

 consequence of the effects of exposure to the smoke of bush 

 fires. Into this, whilst in a soft state, the four prongs, 

 slightly tapered at the end, are pressed. This has the effect 

 of forcing much of the gum through the splits and through 

 the band of bark, when by holding it near the fire, the gum 

 is neatly spread over the joints. These prongs, which are 

 from 15 to 18 inches long, are scraped to a fine point, and 

 barbed by means of a small splinter of bone fastened to the 

 end. The four points of this spear form a square about 

 1 inch or more apart, and are kept in position by small 

 wedges of wood passed between the prongs and fastened by 

 bands of ribbon bark. The pith from the other end of the 

 spear is extracted to the depth of about an inch, the end is 

 bound with twine, and the whole stopped with the fine 

 scrapings of hardwood, which serves as a pad for the hook of 

 the " wammerah," or throwing-stick, to press against. Other 

 grass-tree spears are made in a similar manner, but Avith only 

 one prong. In those parts where the grass-tree does not 

 exist, the spear is made of one long straight piece of wood, 

 which is cut from the side of a standing tree. 



The " wammerah," a stick by means of which the spear is 

 thrown, is about 3 feet long, in shape something like a long- 

 handled spoon ; the spoon, a rather flat part, being used as a 

 paddle when fishing from a canoe ; at the opposite end a short 

 piece of stick is fastened so as to form a hook. In throwing 

 a spear, the broad end of the wammerah is held across the 

 palm of the hand, with the point of the hook pressing against 

 the pad in the end of the spear, the spear at the same time 

 being held firmly between the forefinger and thumb. By 

 the use of the stick, great force and impetus is given to it, 

 and makes it a much more formidable weapon than those 



