290 
APPENDIX A. 
At Page 11, Chapter I., the almost unique character of the Australian boomerang as a native weapon was 
reservedly referred to. The reservation, which may be here explained, was made with reference to some highly 
interesting data concerning this instrument that were communicated to the author by Mr. Henry Balfour, the 
Curator of the Ethnographical Department of the Oxford University Museum, though a little too late for 
incorporation in the Chapter indicated. 
As pointed out by the above-named ethnological authority, the boomerang is of higher antiquity and its 
existing use is more widely diffused than is commonly supposed. According to Mr. Balfour, two forms of this 
weapon are peculiar to India. One of these, of a simple curved shape and made of wood, is possessed by 
the Koli tribe, belonging to the district of Guzerat. A second Indian form belongs to the Marawas of Madura, 
and differs in shape from both the above and the Australian type. The contour of this Marawan boomerang is 
almost crescentic, perfectly flat, but much broader at the more remote or distal extremity of the instrument as held 
in the hand. The narrower proximal or handle end is, moreover, fashioned into the form of a conveniently 
prehensible knob, which is usually roughly carved. Although commonly made of wood, it is not unfrequently 
constructed of steel or even of ivory. An example recently in the writer’s possession—since contributed by him 
to the Oxford Museum—while made of wood, has a terminal metal capping, and, as shown by the worn marking, 
had originally three ornamental metal studs on each side. An illustration of this boomerang is herewith given. 
Inpian (Marawan) Boomerane. 
This description of boomerang has been proved by General Pitt Rivers to belong to that category of 
these weapons which will return to the thrower when dexterously manipulated. The ancient Egyptians, 
Mr. Balfour informs the writer, undoubtedly used boomerangs which, in some cases, were also returnable, as 
proved by the successful trial of carefully reconstructed models. There are a few African tribes that. still 
use flat, curved throwing sticks, closely resembling boomerangs, as also do the natives of Arizona and New 
Mexico. Mr. Balfour further testifies to having recognised in certain illustrations inscribed on ancient Etruscan 
vases what appear to be undoubted representations of boomerangs being thrown at game. 
From the multiplicity of evidence here recorded, the boomerang must evidently be regarded as a weapon 
that did not originate adventitiously with the Australian Aborigines, or at any rate upon Australian soil, but was 
in all probability brought there with the earliest immigrants from the Asiatic continent. The yet wider 
distribution of the characteristic Australian ‘‘ Woomera,” or spear-thrower, yields substantial testimony towards 
a corresponding conclusion with relation to that instrument. 
