DANCES. 
237 
in a kangaroo skin, with the flesh side outwards, 
and painted all over in small white circles. From 
the top of this projected a thin stick, with a large 
tuft of feathers at the end to represent the head, 
and sticks were stuck out laterally from the sides for 
the arms, terminating in tufts of feathers stained red 
to represent the hands. From the front, a small 
stick about six inches long was projected, ending 
with a thick knob, formed of grass, around which a 
piece of old cloth was tied. This was painted white 
and represented the navel. The figure was about 
eight feet long, and was evidently intended to sym- 
bolise a man. It was kept in its elevated position 
by the person who carried it, and who advanced 
and retired with the movements of the dancers. 
The position of the latter was alternately erect and 
crouching, whilst they sang and beat time with the 
green boughs. Sometimes they stretched out their 
right arms simultaneously, and at other times their 
left, apparently for the purpose of marking the time 
at particular parts of the song. After dancing 
for a while in this way, they again retired to the 
hollow, and for a few moments there was another 
pause ; after which they again advanced as before, 
but without the image. In the place of this two 
standards were exhibited, made of poles, about 
twelve feet long, and borne by two persons. These 
were perfectly straight, and for the first eight feet free 
from boughs ; above this nine branches were left upon 
