SPEAR-THROWING 291 



very notable. As with civilised men, the skill of individuals 

 among the blacks in all their exercises and crafts differs 

 considerably. Some men throw the spear with much 

 greater sureness of aim than others. A good spearman 

 will hit a mark the size of a man, or a large kangaroo, 

 about once in four or five throws at a distance of fifty 

 yards. When hunting each man carries a bundle of about 

 a dozen spears, which he places on the ground at his feet. 

 As the game is driven past him, he throws spear after 

 spear as fast as he can pick them up, and it is hard luck 

 for him if he does not bring down at least one of the 

 flying animals, which are compelled to pass him at a 

 distance, at most, of twenty-five or thirty yards, as the 

 whole tribe will be standing in a line before the beaters, 

 who are generally the women and children, with the dogs 

 and a few men to direct their movements. 



In war the spear is used mostly in hand to hand 

 combats ; if thrown it is at the back of an enemy, or in 

 surprises. For if they see the spear coming, all the 

 natives can avoid it with perfect ease, so keen of sight 

 and agile of body are they. 



The wommera is pretty generally used all over the 

 continent, only a few tribes being unacquainted with its 

 use. But the now extinct inhabitants of Tasmania never 

 used it. 



The boomerang, as I have already stated, is not by 

 any means a universally known weapon on the Australian 

 continent. It is used more frequently in the east and 

 south than in other parts of the country. The shape of 

 the weapon is familiar to most people. It is a flat piece 

 of wood, about thirty inches long, of the shape of the 

 segment of a circle, with one end straightened to form a 

 handle. It is thrown at an object on the arc of a circle, 

 and revolves and gyrates in the air in an extraordinary 

 way. On striking an object, or the ground, it rebounds to 

 within a few yards of the feet of the thrower. Hurled 

 among a flock of birds, it generally knocks down several. 

 It is not so successful when thrown at objects on 

 the ground ; but it is a nasty weapon to encounter in 



