THE ABORIGINES OF NEW SOUTH WALES. . 203 
_ wall next the crossing place was made the most substantial of all, 
_ toresist the force of the current in the river. It also rose higher 
_ outof the water, the others being just so much lower as to cause 
-aslight ripple over them. This fish trap was used in flood-time, and 
_ thebuilders of it, knowing the habits of the cod-fish, which abound 
here, have so arranged the slits in the lower walls that the fish in 
_ ging upwards can proceed only in a zigzag direction, and, as they 
never try to turn back, they at last collect in great numbers 
mall the squares, but especially in the uppermost ones, from 
which there is no exit, as the wall is solid throughout. Mean- 
while our tyro is getting experience in fish-spear practice, for the 
blaekfellows stand in the squares and ply their spears with such 
tilect that tons of fish are landed on the bank. ‘The river is here 
about 800 yards wide. 
Our young boy also assists in an important operation, that of 
wxe-sharpening, e of the earliest developments of civilization 
the stone axe, but the axe to be useful to the savage must be 
ara and this he can accomplish only by rubbing. ear 
Picea on the Gwydir, there is a great rubbing place, which must 
been used by the tribes around for many generations. It is 
geet deposit of sandstone of a gritty nature, fit for grind- 
ne about 30 feet, and then terminates in a flat top, 
Ww. : 
much of which is now covered Yet at least 2 
: grass. Yet over : 
>t this top there may be seen innumerable hollows made in 
a frag by the blackfellow when sh ing his axe ; for as soon 
4 arpe ? . - 
Not stoove became too deep he would begin another beside it, 
jl aR ess hg they a be el RS A OM at Sa ae a a 
ie an extent of 10 or 12 miles. At that time the 
.: ribsinar the river at the rubbing-place was very low, and yet the 
lee Ks could still be seen far below the surface of the water. 
Wen ty generations of Kamilaroi blacks had encamped Lat 
hoy pet. tell, but the rocks still testify why they came there 
rious! had toiled.* 
~ Altho i y they ; : 
equine) ee, these are the labours in which the native boy B 
r«' to join, yet it must not be supposed that his life is solely 
; _- i : 
f*.& instance of their perseverance = ing. Many years ago 
the a. J ors was killed on the Gwydir. E 
ne fay Wheels into small pieces and made them into wks 
