314 R. H. MATHEWS. 



surface. These holes are then filled with water carried 

 from the creek in native vessels. Some rush-grass is cut 

 and spread flat on top of the water, where it floats. 



All the novices are now brought up to the papalivas, 

 where they crouch down and rest their elbows on the bank, 

 and bend their heads and necks over the rods, while they 

 each suck a mouthful of water through the net-like cover- 

 ing of loose rush-grass floating on the surface. They must 

 not swallow the liquid, but keep it in their mouths, and 

 rise to their feet. All the men likewise take a mouthful 

 of water from the holes in the same way. Men and boys 

 now approach the fire already mentioned and squirt the 

 water out of their mouths upon it — as many as possible 

 squirting at the same moment. The men then jump round 

 and sing : 



kk Bingalga wanba wan-ana! yen! won!" 



This chant is repeated over and over again for some 

 time, and when it is finished the novices are allowed to 

 drink a few niouthfuls of water by crouching down beside 

 the papalwas, or water pans, as before. They are also 

 given some human ordure and animal flesh. In a little 

 while both boys and men go to rest for the night. 



If the fire above referred to was extinguished by the 

 water blown from the mouths of the men and boys, it was 

 a bad omen, and portended that perhaps some evil would 

 happen to the party whilst engaged upon their duties in the 

 bush, or that some of the novices might divulge the secrets 

 later on, and be punished with death for doing so. But if 

 the fire blazed up again after a short time, it was a sign 

 that everything would turn out right. 



The following morning the party go out hunting, accom- 

 panied by the novices and their guardians. When stoppages 

 are made in the bush, the boys are placed sitting upon green 

 boughs spread upon the ground, and are not allowed to do 



