File:The history of mankind (1896) (14577299109).jpg

Identifier: historyofmankind01ratz (find matches)
Title: The history of mankind
Year: 1896 (1890s)
Authors: Ratzel, Friedrich, 1844-1904 Butler, Arthur John, 1844-1910
Subjects: Ethnology Anthropology
Publisher: London, Macmillan and co., ltd. New York, The Macmillan co.
Contributing Library: Wellesley College Library
Digitizing Sponsor: Wellesley College Library

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bours, x^ustralian weapons are of imperfect finish and poor in ornament,nor does this arise only from the lack of iron and other metals, which isshared by the far more artistic Polynesians. They are much nearer to theSouth Africans, who also, though possessing iron, are distinguised by theextremely careless fashion of their weapons. The chief material everywhere 352 THE HISTORY OF MANKIND is wood ; stone and bone are less employed than the lack of metals would leadone to expect. Finely-polished stone weapons are never to be found inAustralia, while cleverly-chipped flint-heads and blades are rare. In somedistricts the natives point their spears with flint and other stones ; even spear-heads of rock crystal are recorded in Queensland, and of opal in North-WestAustralia. They are also provided with barbs; the setting of them in awooden shaft by means of string and gum is also characteristic of Australianweapons. First and foremost come the spears. For these, thin stems of eucalyptus six
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Wommeras or throwing-sticks of the Australians—one-fifth real size. (Berlin Museum and British Museum.) feet and more in length are chosen, which are straightened in the fire, slightlycharred, and hardened at the end. This is the simplest form ; the first improve-ment consists in making a hole for throwing with the help of a throvving-stick.Besides this the spear-bearer generally has in his sheaf some spears provided withbarbs ; a two-pointed piece of wood is attached by sinews to the spear point insuch a way that its lower end projects barb-wise. These barbs are carried loosein a pouch until the hunting-ground is reached. Their use in war is prohibitedamong the Australians in Port Lincoln. A shorter, thicker spear, as a rule notmore than a yard and a half long, is used for spearing fish. In North Australiaa short light javelin for small game occurs. All the other spears, however, arehurled with a throwing-stick called wommera or zvumera, in South Australiaalso midla; this is from 2

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