would be when on the head, the broader part of the network is nearly twelve inches in length and three inches in breadth. The open network on each side up to the knot is four inches in length. The material is the fibre of some aquatic plant, twisted and formed into a fine, hard, durable twine. The teeth are fastened neatly with the tail sinews of the kangaroo (Wirr-ran-nee). It would not be easy to find anywhere a more highly-finished piece of work of its kind than this. The wider part is beautifully knitted. This band was worn both by males and females.
|
| FIG. 26. |
The sash or band of network, called Ni-yeerd (Fig. 26), is worn as a belt round the loins. In it the native carries the Wan-nee (boomerang), or the tomahawk or other weapon. This specimen, which was sent to me by Dr. Gummow, is not inferior to any other piece of network I have seen. The twine, formed of the fibre of some flag, is uniform in thickness and evenly twisted; and the meshes are all of the same size. It is very strong and elastic, and as well fitted for the purpose desired by the native as if it had been manufactured expressly to his order by the most accomplished of Europeans. It is six feet four inches in length. Its general character, and the manner in which it is knitted, are shown in the engraving.
Dr. Gummow has carefully described the several ornaments worn by the natives of the Lower Murray in the letters, memorandums, and drawings which he has sent to me. He thus speaks of the bone, Mellee-mellee-u, which is carried in the septum of the nose:—"Enclosed is a sort of awl made from the thigh-bone of the emu, called Pin-kee, which is used for boring the septum of the nostrils, also for perforating opossum skins when sewing them together to form rugs (Pirri-wee). The sinews of the kangaroo tail were used as thread, and called Wirr-ran-nee. After using the perforator called Pin-kee for piercing the septum of the nose, a piece of reed is slipped on to the point as a canula, and as the Pin-kee is withdrawn, with the reed as a sheath, the latter is left to act as a tent, so as to dilate the opening. Gradually increasing the size of the reeds until the opening is sufficiently large, the Mellee-mellee-u—a piece of bone from the leg of the emu or the kangaroo—is finally inserted, and this remains in the septum of the nostrils of the males until the front teeth are knocked out. The females undergo the same treatment, and wear during their lives a ring of bone, cut from the wing of the bustard (Narroo-vee). The ring, called Kolko, is rather more than one-third of an inch in length, and the diameter is two-thirds of an inch. The aperture in the ring forms a foramen between the nostrils."
