Mr. Barlee, to any of the natives of Perth. It is supposed to be a weapon in use at Port Darwin, or on some part of the north or north-west coast.
A three-pronged spear, barbed at each point, somewhat similar in construction to this, is in use amongst the natives of Cape York.
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| FIG. 145. |
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| FIG. 147. |
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| FIG. 146. |
The Meero or Womerah, the lever for propelling the spear, differs in form from those in use in Victoria, though the principle is the same. The flat, shield-like Womerahs (Fig. 146) in my collection are made of djarrah, and are very thin and well polished. They are not ornamented in any way. The point for receiving the end of the spear is made of very hard white wood, and is fastened to the head with gum; and there is a lump of gum at the end, so placed as to prevent the implement from slipping in the hand. The length is one foot ten inches, and the greatest breadth five inches. The weight varies from seven and three-quarter ounces to ten ounces. Mr. Barlee informs me that this implement is usually made of Mang-art, a species of wattle, called raspberry-jam, from the scent of the wood being like that preserve. The natives carve the wood into proper form with the stone-chisel, and smooth it with a rasp made of the rough bark of any forest tree.
Fig. 147 is another form of the throwing-stick in common use amongst the natives of the north-west coast. I have in my possession a good specimen sent to me from Port Darwin by Mr. J. G. Knight.
The wooden shield (Woonda) of West Australia (Fig. 148) is two feet nine inches in length, and six inches in breadth. It is made of the wood of a species of bastard cork-tree (botanical name not known), and the hole for the hand is cut out of the solid block. Its weight is thirty ounces. Is is curiously ornamented. The grooved ridges, forming straight lines from the points, take a sudden turn near the middle, where they unite. The dark lines in the engraving represent the ridges which are hollowed or grooved, and these grooves are filled in with ruddle. The hollow parts between the ridges are painted
