Aboriginal IVoodni Wcapoiis of Australia . 43 



unnecessary, and thus sufficiently accounting for the ignorance 

 of this people of the bow and arrow. The occurrence of imple- 

 ments similar to the wummera in other regions, particularly among 

 some American tribes at the time of the discovery, and also among 

 European palaeolithic remains, is well supported. In these in- 

 stances the wummera antedated the bow and was supplemented 

 by it. Modern investigation points to the antiquity of the Aus- 

 tralian race and its isolation from the Asiatic continent in remote 

 ages. The use of the wummera in this case may therefore be re- 

 garded as the survival of a primitive weapon among a race which 

 has progressed little or not at all since its separation from the rest 

 of mankind, rather than affording evidence of high intelligence. 

 The boomerang and wummera were unknown to the Tasmanian 

 aboriginals, which suggests their emigration from the primitive 

 stock before the discovery of these weapons. 



Many forms of the wmmmera are in use throughout the country, 

 the shape varying greatly according to the district of manufatlure. 

 The origin of each individual specimen is of great interest and im- 

 portance, and a systematic description of all the weapons of this 

 region arranged with reference to their source w^ould be of great 

 value. The earliest form of the weapon under consideration con- 

 sisted of an ordinary straight branch, with a projecfting twig at one 

 end shaped to furnish the necessary peg. The breaking of the 

 latter would render the primitive form of weapon useless, and an 

 advance would be made b}- the substitution of a separate peg of 

 wood or bone attached with tendon and gum. Roughly fashioned 

 implements of this description are common. A new feature in the 

 wummera is seen in No. 191 3, Plate II, consisting of a well defined 

 broadening of the middle part of the haft. This was of use for 

 carrying the colored pigments used at initiation and other rites. 

 The peg of this weapon is a piece of shell, part of which has been 

 broken away. The wummera, No. 1910, Plate II, is an extremeh' 

 light and well made specimen in which the entire haft is adapted for 

 carrying. It is construdled of hard red wood, and the peg is neatly 

 shaped from a piece of light yellow wood. Weapons possessing the 

 broadened haft are known b}- the name "Amera." They are made 

 in the west and are ornamented on neither side. The handle, 

 formed bv a knob of gum, appears to be chara(5teristic of these 



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