HORN EXPEDITION—ANTHROPOLOGY. 
63 
use (vide Maiden, Rep. Horn Exped., pt. iii., p. 197). In all of the articles 
collected it was Triodia-resin that formed the cementing substance. 
PORTULACE/E. 
PoRTULACA FILIFOLIA. The long and copious involucral hairs of this plant 
supply a cottony down which is largely used, either in its natural white state or 
stained red or yellow with ochre, for purposes of decoration in ceremonies and 
corrobborees as will be described elsewhere. 
Water Supplies. 
Though, on the map, the Finke and its tributaries constitute a noble river 
system it must be remembered that these only run as continuous streams after 
exceptionally heavy rain, and then only for a comparatively short time—the waters 
soon subsiding, partly by absorption into the parched sand of the river bed or by 
running out on to flat expanses where they soon evaporate and disappear. There 
are a few places, however, where a thin stream may continue to run, during long 
periods, for a mile or two, and in many, after the subsidence of the floods, there are 
left behind pools of water of greater or less size and permanence ; some being 
replenished by springs. Even where such natural reservoirs do not exist water of 
potable character may be obtained, in many places, by digging in the sand to a 
depth of from a few inches to a few feet. In this way, along the course of the 
Finke, and its feeders, the natives find a sufficient supply, even in dry seasons. In 
the parallel series of high ranges which are collectively known as the McDonnells, 
there are many localities where permanent soakages or springs ooze from the rock 
faces and collect in deep rock-waterholes at their base, which aftbrd never-failing 
supplies of clear cool water, and these, overflowing their basins and running for a 
few yards or more encourage a luxuriant growth of ferns, reeds and bulrushes. 
Such rock-waterholes, of which several exist at the base of Gill’s Range, are 
favourite camping grounds for the natives, and it was at these localities that we 
often found evidence of their presence in the drawings upon the rocks. 
So also rain may collect and remain for long periods in rocky hollows which 
are sheltered from the sun, even though not reinforced by natural soakage. 
On the sandy plains or undulating sand-hill country to the west of the 
McDonnells the sources of water supply are much more precarious and recourse is 
had to the native wells. These are holes into which a slight soakage flows, not usually 
exceeding five or six feet in depth, though, as in the instances to be quoted, they 
