32 AUSTRALIA AND THE AUSTRALIANS. 



needle. The point of the barb of the wommera rests 

 in the end of the spear handle, the two lying parallel 

 in the hand of the thrower, the spear lying between 

 the upper part of the thumb and the fore-finger, while 

 the wommera is gripped tightly between the knuckles 

 of the fore and large fingers. By the use of this 

 instrument he is able to continue to apply his force to 

 his spear for a second or so longer than if thrown by 

 the unaided hand only, and so can hurl it a greater 

 distance. 



Heavy spears, thrown seventy feet or more, seldom 

 do any harm, as an enemy easily dodges them. 



The heavy spear is often employed by the natives 

 for killing the emu. The hunter ascends a tree near a 

 drinking place, and as the bird passes underneath on 

 its way to water, the spear is plunged into its back. 



Making and pointing spears is a work of great 

 labor. The native seldom throws his spear except 

 when actually fighting or hunting. His dexterity is 

 acquired by his constant throwing of toy spears in his 

 youthful sports. 



The most remarkable instrument used by Austra- 

 lian natives is the boomerang. This weapon is in 

 shape like a scimitar. There are two kinds ; the kind 

 best known has the peculiarity of returning to the 

 thrower, if it fails to hit the object at which it is 



