78 
HORN EXPEDITION—ANTHROPOLOGY. 
laid on, and also covered with, branches of Eucalyptus and Mulga. The conceal¬ 
ment was perfect; beyond the fact that a small opening could just be seen to 
exist in the rocks when it was pointed out. There was nothing to indicate its 
purpose or to distinguish it in any way from numerous other similar cavities in the 
face of the hill. 
The locality, I believe, lies within the territory of the Luritchas; our local 
guide was, at least, a member of that tribe ; and I believe also that the collection 
belonged to the same tribe, but my uncertainties will be seen in anticipation when 
I say that I cannot even speak positively of the ownership of the articles in 
question. ^ 
There is, however, no doubt that the use of similar articles e.xtends over a 
very wide range of Central Australia. They are common to the Arunta, Luritcha, 
Kaitish, AVolperi, Warramunga, and Waagai tribes j we have also in the South 
Australian Museum examples from some of the tribes around Lake Eyre; as 
far eastwards as the Frew River, and westwards from the Musgrave Ranges. 
Probably their range is still more widely extended though I am unable to define 
it. Wherever they are found they appear to be objects concerning which the 
same kind of mystery and concealment exists; they, particularly the stones, 
appear to be handed down as heirlooms, some, at any rate, are of undoubted age, 
though others are as undoubtedly of recent manufacture. They are reluctantly 
spoken of and parted with, and it was exceedingly difficult to extract any informa¬ 
tion concerning their significance or application. The usual manner of conceal¬ 
ment in a remotely situated cache has been exemplified by the collection at 
Kundunga, and it should be added that the concealment and mystery as regards 
all this class of object are especially directed against the females who are on no 
account permitted to see them. 
When, as frequently happens, the smaller and less important sticks of the 
“bull-roarer” type are kept in camp they are kept carefully wrapped up in a 
bag. While at Tempe Downs I caught sight of such a bundle in a native shelter, 
and after a great deal of persuasion induced the owner to part with it for a 
consideration, but before he would open the parcel he sent away all the women 
and children, and gave the sticks to me with strict injunctions not to let them be 
seen by any females. 
As regards their import there is no doubt that they are in some way associated 
with certain ceremonies, and, so far, this information has heen given us by Mr. 
Schulze, who speaks of them as “tjurunga arkiianoa ” (festival plates). The 
