102 
HORN EXPEDITION-ANTHROPOLOGY. 
shrivelled skin of some furred animal, probably Lagonhestes, sp. This being rolled 
longitudinally serves as the wrapper and in this case it contained two prepared 
Hakes of opaline quartzite (Plate VI., Fig. 1.3) of the same character as those 
used for the adze and spear-thrower, a piece of red ochre showing by its flattened 
facets of attrition that it had been in frequent use, a plume of emu feathers, an 
apron of Peragale tail tips and a length of very thick tendon. On the outside 
it is .secured by a piece of fur-string bound spirally round it. 
Sometimes a roll of “paper bark” [Melaleiua, .sp., vide note to section on 
“Stone Knives”) serves the same purpose, and this is particularly the case in 
regions to the north of the McDonnell Ranges, but of late years a small bag of 
calico or other stuff obtained from the whites, or even a simple wrapping of such 
material is similarly used I did not see throughout the whole trip a single 
example of basket or “ dilly-bag ” of native manufacture, nor could I learn that 
such articles are made in the McDonnell Raime district. 
O 
Clothing and Ornament. 
The description of these articles will be facilitated by a short notice of the 
chief materials used in their manufacture. 
Hiimmi Hair. —This is loosely twisted into string of two strands, long lengths 
of which may be wound into a ball or skein so as to be ready for use. As will be 
seen in greater detail in Mr. Gillen’s notes, there are two classes of hair, in use for 
various articles, which are held in very diflerent estimation. One, which may be 
called the ordinary kind, is provided by the women, and has no particular value 
attached to it; the other kind is taken from the head and beard of a dead warrior 
of some distinction, and the waist girdles made with it are held in special estima¬ 
tion as conferring physical and occult powers upon those wearing them. 
Fur. —The fur of various animals is, by means of the native spindle (Plate VI., 
Fig. 10) spun into long strands and this again is twisted into a two-ply string of 
greater or less compactness ; sometimes this is of almost whipcord-like hardness, but 
more generally it is loose in texture. That of the opossum (^Trichosurus vulpecula)., 
the red kangaroo (Macropus rufus), and the euro (M. robusius), is extensively used 
for this purpose, and, perhaps also, that of other animals. When examined microsco¬ 
pically some specimens of string showed a mixture of the fur of both kangaroo and 
opossum. Usually the string, when made up into articles, is so impregnated with 
grease and I'ed ochre that the nature of the material is with difficulty recognised 
and even before it is made up it is also frequently coloured. I have nob thought 
