25 
Observation went, to any of the tribes that inhabit the north- 
western ranges. 
The chief weapon used for hunting and fighting is the spear 
(“oiritchanna”). In this weapon, which is about 8 ft. long, the 
shaft is made from the wood of Tecoma australis, the blade at the 
top and the barb being of mulga. It is composed of three 
segments, the lower (‘“daparra”), centra] (“oiritchanna ”), and 
upper (the blade or “talta”), connected by binding together 
with kangaroo sinew. The native names of the respective parts 
are given in the annexed figure. (See Plate IV., fig. 2.) 
The spear may or may not have the barb or “nunngu.” 
Another form of spear, made of a single piece of Acacia, with a 
flattened blade at one end and without a barb, is used more for 
killing animals in bushes, etc, than for hurling with the spear- 
thrower (“mero ”).* Тһе process of straightening the rods used 
by the natives in the making of spears is ingenious. The curved 
portion of the rod, after being well greased, is placed over a 
stone and completely covered with a mixture of hot sand and 
ashes. Having frequently turned the rod, the native, after a 
Short interval of time, seizes it with both hands, one on either 
side of the ashes, and by holding it such that the convex side 
rests upon the stone exerts a downward pressure from above at 
each end of the bend. Repeating the operation several times, 
and skilfully turning the rod about in the ashes, he ultimately 
straightens the rod perfectly. The process may be compared 
with the steaming of timber. 
The spear-thrower (“mero ”) is wide and concave ; none of the 
flat and narrow forms of many parts of Central Australia were 
found. It has a flint-chip embedded in porcupine grass gum 
(“kedi”) atthe handle, and very often a small rim of similar 
material around the handle, a short distance away from its end. 
In using the implement, therefore, the hand of the thrower 
clasps the handle between the two specified portions of gum. 
The names of its parts are given on Plate IV., fig. 3. 
Two kinds of wooden food or water vessels or cradle-shaped 
carriers, frequently called coolemans by the whites, are in use, 
large (“mika ”) and small (“ dokollko "), the former for receiving 
various articles as game, roots, and other gatherings of the day, 
the latter more for scooping water. Water is sometimes carried 
in the “ mika ” for long distances ; in this case grass and leaves are 
put into it to prevent the over-splash and consequent loss. They 
are always carried by the gins, who balance them upon their 
heads while walking and hunting. They were found to be 
* This form ot spear is, for instance, used іп the hunting of the rabbi 
cited by Murray,— Op. cit., page 19—as it “can be approached within a 
spear’s length when crouching in a bush, and is easily impaled without 
necessity of throwing the spear. 2 
