BY FRITZ NOETLING, M.A., PH.D., ETC. 47 



that there is no fundamental difference between the 

 dark blue and the grey chert. It seems that this chert 

 breaks up into irregular lumps of varying size, whidh 

 are covered with brownish crust. , These lumps have 

 been broken by the Aborigines into irregular angular 

 fragments, most of which were rejected; but suitable 

 pieces were worked then and there into implements, 

 while others were apparently taken to the camping 

 -grounds. All the specimens that have been handled by 

 the Aborigines are covered with a w'hitis'h patina, which 

 sometimes, particularly at the angles, wears off, disclos- 

 ing the dark black colour of the rock. 



It is very remarkable that only a small number of 

 implements were found that show a considerable 

 amount of chipping. Though there is an enormous 

 number of angular fragments, I think that hardly one 

 in a thousand is extensively worked. And there is 

 another notable fact, all the specimens, which show 

 either a well-worked indical face or careful trimming of 

 tbe edges, invariably show a nice smooth pollical face. 

 I already dwelt on this pecuhar fact in my description 

 of the Native Quarry on. Coal HiH (Melton-Mowbray), 

 and I can only account for this in one way. The quar- 

 ries were not working places — they were quarries pure 

 and simple — that is to say, places from which the stone 

 used for implements was obtained. The Aborigines 

 visited these places simply to obtain a supply of suitable 

 flakes, most of which they took away in order to shape 

 them at their camping grounds. Had they made their 

 implements at the quarry, we might certainly expect a 

 large number of unfinished rejects or broken specimens. 



Another fact struck me also as very remarkable, 

 and I may say that this equally applies to the Coal Hill 

 Quarry. In my search for well worked specimens, I 

 naturally turned over and examined a large number of 

 fragments, and numerous of these seemed by size, 

 shape, and sharp edges conveniently suitable for a cut- 

 ting implement ; yet they were apparently rejected. On 

 the other hand, specimens which are well worked and 

 trimmed appear to be much less suitable than the re- 

 jected fragments. 



