26 
HORN EXPEDITION—ANTHROPOLOGY. 
The marks represent a condition known pathologically as hypertrophied scar- 
tissue, a result well-known to follow protracted cicatrisation. I have known these 
cicatrices to pass into an allied condition familiar to the surgeon as keloid, and to 
require surgical treatment from the inconvenience caused by their presence. To 
this form of growth the black races generally are stated to be particularly liable, 
and, in them as in others, when it occurs it has a tendency to affect the integu¬ 
ment of the anterior thoracic region especially that over the breast bone. The 
prominence of the scars about this region has been noticed, while on the other 
hand the small circular scars on the arms did not show the characteristic 
elevation. I was told that, on this part of the body, they were made with 
the point of a glowing firestick, but I had no means of verifying the statement. 
Ceremonies of Initiation.* 
Circumcision and Subincision. 
The operations are everywhere performed by both Arunta and Luritcha 
natives. Indeed they both exist in conjunction amongst every tribe met with in 
passing through the heart of the continent from Lake Eyre to within 100 miles of 
Port Darwin. Neither is practised in the tribes immediately around Port Darwin, 
or according to Mr. Foelschef amongst the coast tribes from Port Darwin east¬ 
wards to the Liverpool River. They certainly extend for long distances to the 
east and west of the telegraph line, and are, probably, common to the whole of 
Central Australia. 
I use the last term of the heading of this section as a brief and convenient 
designation for the singular and revolting mutilation widely prevalent, though by 
no means universal, in Australia, in which the penile urethra is completely, or 
partly, laid open by incision from below. Surgically speaking an artificial condition 
of hypospadias is produced. Amongst the tribes with which I deal particularly, the 
operation is complete in the sense that the incision extends from the meatus to the 
angle of junction of the penis with the scrotum. Amongst some tribes on the sea¬ 
board of the Gulf of Carpentaria it is sometimes less completely performed, a 
portion only of the urethra being laid open, or a small hole only being made 
* The term “ Bora ” a word of a New South Wales native language has acquired a certain amount of acceptance 
as meaning initiation ceremonies generally, but as these vary in different tribes, I have thought it better to adhere 
to terms which clearly indicate the nature of the operations performed. There can be no advantage in continuing 
the use of such a term as the “ terrible rite ” used by the late Mr. Curr. 
t “ Notes on the Aborigines of North Australia,” Paul Foelsche, Trans. Roy. Soc. of S.A., vol. v. 
