46 



ROCK DRAWINGS IN QUEENSLAND. 



sandstone rock. The floor was entirely hidden by a considerable 

 quantity of fine wood ash, but without further evidences of fire. 

 No smoke discoloration on the walls, which however, were covered 

 by that fine algaceous growth which effects the slow weathering 

 of sandstone rocks in similar situations, everything in fact was 

 invested in a garb of comparative antiquity. 



The inscriptions are in some cases mere shallow depressions, 

 plainly traceable when viewed in a proper light, whilst others are 

 deeply scored in the rock, occasionally to the depth of an inch. 

 Scattered throughout them are numerous drilled holes of different 

 size and varying depth, some i inch deep, and several i to 2J 

 inches in circumference, some of which appear to have no relation 

 with the grooved figures, whilst others are so grouped as to form 

 figures themselves. ^Seldom the grooved figures have been evidently 

 preceded in construction by series of drilled holes. 



That they are the wor^is of an auctothonous or indigenous 

 people may, I think, be taken for granted. 



An examination of the figures (PI. XI) plainly shows that 

 they are not the fruits of idleness, that they are not imitative 

 symbols for mammals, birds, reptiles, or fish, &c., but insomuch 

 as they conform to a limited number of types, the same figure 

 Occuring several times over, they may be conventional symbols 

 for natural objects. " The natives have conventional forms for 

 trees, lakes, and streams, and in transmitting information to 

 friends in remote tribes they use conventional forms, but in many 

 cases modified," (Brough Smith The Aborigines of Victoria," 

 Melb. 1878, vol. I, page 285). Their "message sticks " may also 

 be adduced in support of this opinion. 



The ashes before alluded to, of sufficient quantity to fill a 

 large cart, yielded on examination some remnants of previous 

 feasting — bones of various animals still living in the neighbour- 

 hood, a few pieces of charred wood, fragments of sandstone 

 from the rock above, and what is especially interesting several 

 rude flint implements. (Appendix.) 



Examples of indigenous native art are by no means uncommon 

 in Australia, even if we limit our view to "rock drawings" as they 

 are commonly called. From the time of Collins ("Account of the 

 English Colony in New South Wales," 1804, page 381) onwards, 

 the subject has been frequently discussed in the works of our 

 explorers, and elsewhere ; and Brough Smith has sufficiently sum- 

 marised these notices in his work previously alluded to, (Op. Cit. vol. 

 i,Pg. 283) dwelling more particularly on Grey's narrative concerning 

 the wonderful drawings or rather paintings met with by this 

 explorer during his Western Australian Expedition, which to 



