xiv. ABSTRACT OF PROCEEDINGS, 
Mr. R. T. Baker stated that he desired to read a paper by him- 
self and his colleague, Mr. H. G. Smith, the title of which he had 
forwarded to the Hon. Secretaries. He and his colleague were 
unaware that the rule relating to the submission of papers to the 
Council would be enforced. 
The President, after pointing out that the provisions of Rule 
XXvi. were in the interest of the Society, decided that the paper 
would not be received, as it had not been submitted to the Council 
as required by that rule. 
THE FOLLOWING PAPERS WERE READ :— 
1, “The Burbung, or Initiation Ceremonies of the Murrumbidgee 
Tribes,” by R. H. MaruHews, Ls. 
The paper described the burbung of the aboriginal tribes 
occupying that portion of the Murrumbidgee River which is 
situated between Jugiong and Hay. When it has been decided 
to hold a burbung for the purpose of inaugurating some of the 
youths into the status of manhood, the head man of one of the 
tribes sends out messengers to the chiefs of adjoining tribes form- 
ing the community, inviting them to participate in the ceremonies. 
Each of these tribes will probably have a few boys to be initiated. 
When the whole community has thus been gathered at the 
appointed place, the boys are separated from their mothers, and 
are taken away into the bush by the head men. During this 
ceremony they are taught the sacred traditions of their fore- 
fathers, their duties and responsibilities as tribesmen are incul- 
cated, and they are instructed in the laws relating to the totemic 
divisions of their tribe. An important part of the ceremonies is 
the extraction of one of the central pair of upper incisor teeth of 
each youth. The feet of each boy operated on are inserted in 
small holes dug in the ground for the purpose, and a man stands 
beside him to hold him steady. The tooth extractor then places 
a hard wooden chisel against the tooth and gives it a smart blow 
with a mallet, which forces it out. Each youth is warned that if 
he reveals any part of the secret ceremonies to women or the 
uninitiated he will be punished with death. 
