AUSTRALIA, OR NEW HOLLAND. 107 



whole tribe which he has insulted, cast their spears at him — 

 the first throw being made by the member most injured. 



Their mode of making war is peculiar. The aggrieved 

 tribe assemble and consult relative to the course to be pur- 

 sued. This having been decided on, a messenger is dispatched 

 to announce their intention to commence hostilities to the 

 opposite party, and fix upon a day for the combat. The 

 latter immediately proceed to make all the necessary prepara- 

 tions for the approaching contest ; and on the day assigned, 

 both parties take the field, accompanied by the women. The 

 first onset is made by the oldest woman abusing and taunting 

 the opposite side. Then a warrior or two advance, and com- 

 mence throwing spears at each other. This exchange of 

 missiles continues sometimes for a whole day, and generally 

 ends without any fatal consequences, for the warriors are 

 picked men, and are celebrated for their skill in avoiding mis- 

 siles with their shields. When a warrior of either party is 

 killed, the fight ceases, explanations are made, and the parties 

 meet amicably to bury the dead ; after which they all join in 

 the performance of a dance called Cofrobory. 



They make use of two weapons which we have not seen 

 elsewhere — the Dundernel and the Boomereng. The former 

 has a flat curved handle, about two feet in length, and in 

 its general appearance resembles a hatchet. It is thrown 

 from the hand before coming to close quarters. The Boome- 

 reng is a flat stick, three feet long and two inches wide, 

 crooked in the centre, forming an angle of fifty degrees. It 

 is an implement used both for war and in the chase, and can 

 be thrown by the natives with great precision. 



As might be expected, a people so ignorant as the Austra- 

 lians, must also be very superstitious. When the wind groans 

 over the hills, they imagine it to be the voice of an evil spirit, 



