Hard MAN — Native Weapons and Implements from Australia. 59 
If we compare tlie extreme simplicity of this method, and the 
beautiful results produced, with the process of the " flint-knappers " of 
Erandon, as described by Dr. John Evans, in his " Ancient Stone Im- 
plements," for the manufacture of strike-a-light " flints, in which 
manufacture four steel hammers and one steel chisel are required, 
I think we must come to the conclusion that the Australian savage 
is a somewhat unappreciated man. 
Dr. Evans points out the facility with which flakes may be pro- 
duced from flint by means of a rounded pebble used as a hammer, not 
necessarily attached to a handle, but even when simply held in the 
hand. He also remarks that *' proper attention has not being paid to 
the hammer-stones, which, in all probability, occur with the chippings 
of flint." 
This conjecture with respect to pre-historic flint-works is 
thoroughly borne out by what I have observed in the Kimberley 
district. Erequently we came on deserted native camps in the river 
beds, where it could be seen, from the number of flakes lying about, 
that some of the men had been engaged on the fabrication of spear- 
heads ; and invariably along with these flakes were rounded pebbles, 
evidently used as hammers, and in the correct use of which I was. 
initiated by the natives who manufactured the glass spear-heads just 
described. 
The primary process of obtaining the flint-flakes has been already 
described as in practice amongst the natives of the Yictoria River, 
northern territory of South Australia. In about the same latitude in 
which we were exploring, but many miles to the eastward, Mr 
Augustin G. Gregory, who explored this district in 1855-6, found the 
ground in one locality strewn with fragments of flints and imperfectly- 
formed weapons. Mr. Bains explains the method of obtaining the 
flakes. According to his account the agate, or flint, is struck upon a 
larger stone in such a manner as, after some trials, to strike off suitable 
pieces for operating on further ; but it would appear from his description 
that these natives are quite satisfied if they succeed in splintering off a 
flake sharply tapering to a keen point, and possessing a thick midrib.^ 
Mr. Brough Smith ^ appears to confirm this account, as he figures 
a spear-head from IS'orthern Australia, which is very rude in appear- 
ance, and evidently merely a flint flake, not a finished spear-head like 
those I have seen from Kimberley. 
3 Evans, op cit., p. 24. Also Anthrop., Rev. vol. iv., p. civ. 
* Aborigines of Victoria, R. Brough Smith. 
