266 R. H. MATHEWS. 



Shortly after the last marking has healed, the headmen 

 despatch a messenger to the mother and friends of the 

 novice, and another messenger to his future wife's people, 

 stating that the graduate will be taken to a certain place 

 at such a state of the moon. If it is any time between 

 the new and full moon, the messenger stands before his 

 audience and holds up his boomerang horizontally or nearly 

 so, with the convex edge towards the west. The time 

 between the full and new moon is indicated by holding the 

 convex edge of the weapon to wards the east. As both these 

 positions of the moon occupy a fortnight, lesser periods 

 would be explained verbally by the messenger. 



The youth's mother, as well as his betrothed, have been 

 expecting this message, and repair as early as circumstances 

 will permit to the appointed meeting place and erect their 

 camp. A U-shaped enclosure is built of boughs, the open 

 end being farthest from the women's quarters. On the 

 last morning preceding the arrival of the bush contingent 

 with the novice, another messenger is sent forward to 

 report that the party will arrive in the afternoon. The 

 graduate's buddunggan or future wife, and his mother, 

 accompanied by some old women, repair to the bough 

 enclosure and kindle a fire, and make everything ready. 



About an hour before sundown, the bush mob make their 

 appearance in single file. The novice and his custodians 

 are near the front, and he is conducted into the bough yard 

 where his mother and buddunggan are standing together. 

 The latter approaches him and taps him on the breast with 

 a dhullabulga or portion of a man's apron, after which green 

 boughs are thrown upon the fire and he passes through the 

 smoke. The women then retire, and the youth is taken to 

 the quarters of the single men where one or two old fellows 

 will chant for the occasion. The women also sing at their 

 own camp. 



