29 
previously described (the arms of which vary from 6 in. to a 
foot in length). Starting from a centre at the point of inter- 
section of the two arms of the cross, the string is wound 
successively from one arm to the other, passing once round the 
arm at each point of contact. This winding is continued until 
completed, as shown in Plate IIl., fig. 4, the end of the string 
being loosely tied by a simple knot to the nearest arm of the 
cross. 
Manner of Life. —In general, the natives live exclusively in 
the open. No form of protection from above is resorted to, 
except when compelled by continued rainfall to construct primi- 
tive huts or native wet-weather shelters. (See Plate V., fig. 1.) 
These are constructed after one and the same principle, though 
on slightly different patterns. The usual plan of construction is 
to ram an uprooted dry trunk of mulga into the sand in an 
inverted position, so that the horizontally branching roots are 
at the top. Making this the central support, branches of mulga 
and bush are placed in a slanting position between the roots at 
the top, the extremities of these branches forming a more or less 
complete circle at the surface. An opening is left on the leeward 
side big enough to permit free access. The spaces and gaps 
between the branches are filled up with small bushes, grass, and 
triodia tussocks, and on top of all sand is thrown. The floor of 
the hut is scooped out, the sand being banked up along the walls 
to keep the water from flowing in, and a fire is kept burning 
inside. The height of such huts is about 5 or 6 ft., and the base 
9 ft. in diameter. 
Very often the branches are merely placed around a standing 
tree as a central support, and now and again the branches are 
simply made to rest against one another. Sometimes the shelter 
is made by piling branches and bush either upon the overhanging 
limbs of a tree or in such a manner as to connect two adjacent 
bushes. 
Brushwood shelters (** youo "), which are employed every night, 
are constructed by throwing together a few branches of mulga or 
other foliage at the windward end of the native's camp, towards 
which end the sleeper always rests his head. In sleeping he 
makes a fire on either side of him, and scoops out a depression in the 
sand for his body to lie in. If several individuals sleep side by 
side, a fire is made between each pair of bodies as well as at either 
end of the row. This alternate position of fire and man is 
economical, as each fire serves to warm two natives, one on either 
side. The positions, moreover, occupied by the natives when 
sleeping collectively receive distinctive names according to 
whether they are central (* mbuppola-indoma "), that is, having 
another man lying on either side, or at either end (*ituppulin- 
doma ”) of the row of sleepers. (See Plate IV., fig. 6). 
