82 
HORN EXPEDITION—ANTHROPOLOGY. 
black. Coverinc; the smaller end is a mass of dark brown I’esin to which, however, 
no string is attaclied. This stone is kept in a small nest or sheath of loosely felted 
emu feathers, and is thus carried into battle, where it confers strengtli and courage 
upon the possessors. 
Potsoti Sione Mau-ia ."—A few small, irregular fragments of yellowish-white 
stone, none exceeding |in. in diameter, were given to me by Mr. Gillen, as well as 
the following details. Procured on the table-land country towards the Queensland 
border and supposed to possess lethal properties of a high order. When it is 
desired to give effect to these a fragment is placed on the blade of a spear or the 
end of a long stick and dropped on to the face or feet of the sleeping victim. The 
natives at Alice Springs are very much afraid of the powers of this substance. 
They would not handle it or even look at a little box in which it was contained. 
They themselves kept it wrapped up in abundant coverings of “paper-bark” 
lyMelalettca, sp.) and rags, and when they brought it to Mr. Gillen it was so 
covered up with wrappings that it formed a parcel the size of a pillow. This is 
said to be used by the tribes that lie to the east of the telegraph line, between it 
and the Queensland border. 
On analysis, which was kindly made by Professor Rennie, these deadly 
fragments were found to consist of magnesian limestone. 
Mr. Ravenscroft,* as far north as Newcastle Waters, has described under 
practically the same name, “ Mowija,” fragments of crystallised quartz to which 
similar properties are ascribed by the natives of that district. The horror of their 
supposed effects were manifested by the same fears and precautions. 
In addition to the ceremonies mentioned above, as represented by the 
identified “ Churina ” of the Kundunga Cave, I am also acquainted with articles 
of precisely the same general characters which were definitely assigned to the 
following ceremonies :—Wild-cat (^Dasyiirus, sp.). Eagle-hawk (^Aquila aiidax), 
Hawk, sp., and “Witchety” (see section on Animal Foods). I have, moreover, 
heard of a similar association in the case of Wallaby and Fish, and in all 
probability many other animals are similarly represented. 
Camps. 
At various points on our journey a considerable number of natives were con¬ 
gregated. Such was the case at Crown Point, Tempo Downs, the Mission Station 
* Some Habits and Customs of the Chingalee Tribe. Trans. R. Soc. of S.A., vol. xv. The habitat of this tribe 
should, however, be Newcastle Waters, not Charlotte Waters as there appears in error. 
