Abor/oi?ial Wooden Weapons of Australia . 47 



of excellent finish, contrasting strongly with the crude execution 

 of the Australian implements. Similar weapons may also be seen 

 in case g among the Nine specimens. 



Throwing Clubs. — These weapons differ from those already 

 considered in the fact that they are generalh^ lighter in weight 

 and are essentially missiles. At first little more than a sapling, 

 with the adhering wood shaped to form a head, the Nulla-nulla in 

 time assumed a more definite and well recognized pattern. In 

 general shape it consists of a cylindrical piece of wood some 2 ft. 

 long, sharply pointed at each extremity. Its diameter is little 

 more than an inch, which gradually increases a few inches from 

 the distal end to form a head and to weight the weapon. Speci- 

 mens of the nulla-nulla are seen on the wall of case P. 16. These 

 weapons were commonly in use throughout the country, 



A well marked step in the development of the boomerang, or 

 at least a witness to the fact that the curiosity of the Australian 

 was dire(5ted to investigating the possibility of extending the range 

 of missiles beyond that imparted b}- the impetus of the unaided 

 human arm is seen in the Weet-weet. This primitive device, 

 although used as a to}-, was capable of inflidling severe wounds. 

 Its form closely resembled an attenuated nulla-nulla, and its simi- 

 larity in flight to the rat-kangaroo has sometimes given it the name 

 of that animal. The weet-weet consists of a small cylinder of 

 wood, two or three inches long, pointed at the ends, and bearing 

 at one extremit}- a tail of flexible wood some 20 in. long. It was 

 thrown closely parallel to the earth, upon which it continually 

 ricochetted in its flight. Its range has been measured at 220 yAs. 

 Although no specimen of this curious device has been examined 

 by the writer it appears to owe its great flight to acceleration im- 

 parted by the vibrations of the flexible tail, set up by its frequent 

 impact with the ground. 



BOOMERANGS. 



The boomerang is undoubtedly derived from the clubs alread}- 

 described, although to which group, if to any exclusively, its evo- 

 lution may be ascribed, is difflcult to determine. It appears to 

 possess the greatest affinity to the bent hand clubs, which, as has 

 been said, were, on occasion, thrown; and it is certainly credible 

 that the first boomerangs were modifications of the leonile. Inter- 



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