1226 ON TWO WAX FIGURES OBTAINED FROM AN ABORIGINAL CAMP. 
have on two occasions omitted to place on his model the principal 
feature of the object which it was intended to represent, the 
other features and parts of his model being carefully moulded 1 
As a rule drawings made by our aboriginal tribes are mere outline 
delineations of form ; they do not enter into particulars as to 
features or other parts of the body, but in this instance they are 
entered into even to an exaggerated degree, and the mouth is 
unmistakably omitted intentionally. 
I conclude, therefore, that the supposition that these figures 
were made as “dolls” for pastime is absurd; and that the omission 
of ihe mouth and arms was intentional, and that it is significant. 
All aboriginals with whom I have had a close confiding 
conversation, have led me to conclude that they believe in the 
existence of a supernatural Being of whom they were afraid or 
stand in awe. This mystery coming to the knowledge of 
Europeans, has given rise to the name “ Dibble Dibble,” a 
name imparted to the natives by Europeans with the object of 
terrifying them ; they have no such expression in their own 
language. What really is their notion of this invisible Being 
of whom they stand in awe, the natives in my experience will not 
communicate. All they will tell one is that this mysterious some- 
thing walks about. They have frequently expressed their belief 
to me that in certain localities it was to be seen, but when you 
question them as to its doings they will always tell you that “/le 
no make a noise ; he only walk about, 
It is quite possible that the omission of mouths in Grey’s figures 
and in these which I now record really implies their belief in the 
non-existence of a mouth to speak with, and such being the case, 
it is not represented. 
“ He walks about,” therefore he has legs ; but why these 
figures should be without arms I am unable to conjecture, more 
than to suggest that, as the aboriginal’s notion of this object of 
terror is that he can do nothing, therefore arms are also un 
represented. 
