HORN EXPEDITION—ANTHROPOLOGY. 
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very open curve. In some the curve is symmetrical, in others it is unequally 
divided between the two halves, one being nearly straight while the slight degree of 
curvature that exists is confined to the other segment. They are usually thick and 
heavy, and, for the most part, clumsily made, some of them undoubtedly with 
Eui’opean tools. Usually one surface is flat, the other convex, though, in some, both 
are equally convex. Hardly any trace is evident of the slight spiral twist which is 
chanicteristic of those light blade-like boomerangs of which the peculiar returning 
flight, when properly thrown, is so well known. In fact these missiles, common to 
Central Australia, are not intended to return in the same way, but are thrown 
with a view of striking the object directly or after a first rebound from the ground. 
The ends are rounded, less frequently somewhat pointed and, in the majority of 
cases, the only markings are fine or coarse parallel groovings conformable to tha. 
curve, which are sometimes confined to the convex side. Sometimes, however, 
there are ornamental patterns and all are, or have been, uniformly red-ochred 
all over; one or two also show at the distal end traces of transverse bars of 
white or yellow pigment, with which they are decorated on special occasions. The 
wood appears to be Mulga, or possibly that of allied acacias. 
From about the size just described others occur forming a series of gradually 
increasing lengths, the larger sizes being known as “ Marewurra.” The longest 
collected on this journey was 4 feet 2 inches in length, though they may 
exceed this considerably. I believe the very large forms are importations into 
Central Australia from regions more to the south, notably from the country 
around Lake Eyre. 
W ith the increased length there is usually but slight corresponding increase of 
breadth, though the thickness may be considerably greater, and these large forms 
are usually convex on both sides. Those too heavy for throwing, up to a certain size, 
are used either as single or double-handed swords or clubs, but I have reason to 
believe that the very long ones—those reaching a length of five or six feet—have 
some ceremonial importance, though I am ignorant of its nature. The large sizes 
bear the same kind of longitudinal parallel facets or groovings as the smaller 
varieties, but these were generally more finely executed in the former than in the 
latter. One of the latter, collected at the Mission Station, but stated to have 
come from the Barcoo district (which is probable), showed a definite pattern 
composed of lines grouped into bands and short bars. 
Beaked Boomerang — Iraiva-ilpakata.^’’ (Plate V., Fig. 9). 
There is another missile weapon of the same class as the boomerang which is 
occasionally met with amongst the blacks of the McDonnell Ranges, though I believe 
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