IMTLEMENTS OF SUPERSTITION AND MAGIC.— HAMLIN-TIAEPIS. 
The amulet to wliicli Roth refers^" may be described as a cure-all.’’ A 
uumber of specimens in the Queensland Museum collections were examined by 
me under X rays, and disclosed the fact that only a very 
small minority carry a piece of slender bone in their interior. 
I (Q.]\r. Sp. No. QE 14/560.) 
An interesting example of a rain-stick has recently been 
presented to the Queensland IMuseum, and I am indebted 
to the donor, ]\Ir. T. lllidg’e, for the few details regarding 
it. This carved stick, 755 mm. in length, is one 
originally used by Queensland aboriginals^^ west of Cler- 
mont for the purpose of making rain. The stick, quite 
plain on the under side, was much valued and, as with 
similar instruments used elseAvhere, was tabu to the 
women, and has much in common with those referred to 
by Roth.^'^ The method of use Avas for one of the old 
members of the tribe, Avithout the knoAvledge of the camp, to 
hide this stick in one of the half-dried-up watei’holes, then 
notify to the camp the necessity of a corrobborie ; after 
Avliich the men only, accompanied by the old man as guide, 
commenced a search, visiting a number of holes before 
reaching the correct one, where the stick Avas unearthed. 
They then gathered themselves together in a circle and 
threw mud and Avater up in the air and over themselves 
until sunset, AAdien they returned to camp and commenced 
another dance in which all male members of the camp took 
])art and Avaited expectantly for the downpour of rain. 
All over, the stick AA'ould be again secreted in some rocky 
cave, Avhere it Avould remain until further required. The 
text-figure giA^es a good idea of the carving on the surface, the circles representing 
the sun and moon. 
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Roth, North Queensland Ethnography, Bulletin o, paragraph 154. 
23 For purposes of convenience I am using the term ‘ ^ Aboriginal ^ Mn a more restricted 
sense as denoting individualistic traits in contradistinction to racial characteristics as implied 
by “Aborigine.” 
W. E. Roth, Ethnological Studies, chap. xii. 
