Abstract
IN NATURE, vol. xii. p. 544, a correspondent points out the resemblance existing between an implement used by the Ute Indians and one belonging to the Australian natives, which he calls a vermin hook. May I venture to suggest that he may possibly have mistaken the use of the latter? It appears to me to be identical with the instrument used by all the Australian “river” blacks to throw their light reed spears with, which consist of a heavy miall wood point and a shaft of reed. The bone hook is inserted in the head of the reed, the spear resting between the forefinger and thumb of the hand that holds the thrower and lying parallel to it, thus:— the spear being propelled from the hooked end of the thrower, which is rapidly brought forward into a vertical position, thus propelling the spear before it. During several years on the different Australian rivers, I saw the weapon universally used as above, but neither there nor elsewhere in the colonies for any other purpose.
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GLOVER, J. Curious Australian Implement. Nature 13, 27 (1875). https://doi.org/10.1038/013027a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/013027a0
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