twist; and in weapons so thin as these a very small deflection is sufficient to ensure their true flight and their return to the thrower. They are made by the natives with wonderful precision and accuracy, and they are dangerous weapons in their hands. Common forms of the Kylie are shown in Fig. 140.
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| FIG. 140.–(Scale 1/10.) |
Some years ago, as already stated, I took one of the West Australian boomerangs to Coranderrk, and showed it to the natives. They were much surprised, and seemed at first scarcely to believe it to be a boomerang made by an Australian; but "Tommy Farmer," an intelligent fellow, handled it carefully, and sought to discover whether it was one that would come back. He then threw it, and it made a large circuit, and returned to him. All the West Australian boomerangs seem to fly further than those used by the natives of the east.
The wood of which my specimens are made appears to be that of some species of acacia, and in forming them advantage has been taken of a natural curve of the wood. They are not carved or artificially colored; but they are, nevertheless, very beautiful implements, on account of the natural tints and veins of the wood. Some are of a rich reddish-brown, with streaks of dark-brown, and the edges are cream-colored.
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| FIG. 141. | FIG. 142. |
The most common form of spear in use in West Australia is that shown in Fig. 141, where the head alone is given. It is named Gid-jee, Gee-jee, or Borral (spear-stone). It is about eight feet in length, and is thrown with the Meero (or Womerah). The heads of those in my collection are coated with a hard gum, forming a ridge on one side, in which pieces of glass are impacted, and the whole is stained with the gum of the xanthorrhœa, to render it smooth and impervious to moisture. They weigh from six and a half ounces to seven ounces. The woods used for making this weapon are Boordono, which is the best; Woonarra, which is good; and Goodgidgee, which is common. Mr. Barlee could not ascertain the botanical names of the trees from which these woods are procured. The cutting tools used in making the spear are shells and quartz, or glass, if it can be procured. The point is very sharp. When threatening an enemy, a native will say, Ngad-jol nhynueen daanaga—"I will you spear!"
The light spear (Fig. 142) is formed entirely of very hard wood, and is eight feet in length. It is sharpened at both ends, and each end is brought to a very fine point. It cannot, of course, be thrown with the Womerah. In the thickest part the diameter does not exceed four-tenths of an inch, and it weighs eight
