Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1876-08-30
The Boomerang.

One OF the most remarkable missiles
invented by savage race is the boom
erang-the instrument of war and of
| the chase III use by the aborigines of
Australia. 1t is made of hard wood,
in curved form, with rounded extrem-
tiles. 1t is about two feet long, with
one side flat, the other convex, and the
edges blunted. In using the weapon,
it is held by one end with the curve
| downward, and is thrown directly for
ward. as though aimed at an object
! twenty-five or thirty yards distant. In
stead of moving horizontally along the
line of projection, the instrument de-
scribes a curved line of ascent, whirl-
ing round and round as it proceeds,
and, after reaching certain height,
turns back toward the protector, and,
sweeping over his head, falls behind
! him, where is found the real mark at
which it is sent. The singular motion
assumed by the b" ,merang is produced
| by the air StriF upon the bulged
side.
A writer i. Nature, who has seen
the boomerang thrown by native very
expert in its use, describes at length
the several instruments called by the
same name, and the manner of project
ing them. The boomerang whose form
is given in the above paragraph is, ac-
cording to the statement of the writer,
| uncertain in its movements. 1t may
return too soon and strike the individ-
ual throwing it, or those near him.
Much depends upon its perfect
construction, and much upon the
act of throwing it. When aimed at a
| flock of birds or ducks, the natives
seem unable to calculate what course
it will take among them, and which it
will hit. If it strikes an object in its
| outward course, it does not return, but
falls to the ground A thicker, larger,
and less curved boomerang than the
one described, moves straight onward,
though whirling as it goes, and does
not return. This is the weapon used
in warfare, and relied upon where
precision of aim is desired.
In witnessing an exhibition of skill
in the use of the returning boomerang,
! the writer from whom we have bor-
rowed says:
Il found that the throws could be
! placed in two classes-one in which the
boomerang was held when thrown in
plane perpendicular to the horizon, the
other in which one plane of the boom
erang was inclined to the left of the
thrower. In the first method of the
throwing, the missile proceeded, re-
volving with great velocity, in per-
pendicular plane for. say, 100 yards.
when it became inclined to the left,
| travelling from right to left. 1t then
| circled upwards, the plane in which it
revolved indicating cone, the apex of
which would be some distance from
| the thrower. When the boomerang in
travelling passed around to point
| above and somewhat to the right of
the thrower, and perhaps 100 feet
above the ground, it appeared to be-
come stationary for moment; / can
only use the term hOcering to describe
| it. 1t then commenced to descend.
| still revolving in the same direction,
| but the curve followed was reversed,
| the boomerang travelling from right to
| left, and, the speed rapidly increasing,
it flew far to the rear At high speed,
a sharp, whistling noise could be
| heard.
s. In the second method,
the boomerang was thrown in a plane
considerably inclined to the left. 1t
there flew round for, say, the same dis
lance as before, gradually curving up
wards, when it seemed to soar up
this is the best term-just as a bird
may be seen to circle upwards with eX
tended wings. The boomerang. of
course, was at this time revolving
rapidly. 1t is difficult to estimate the
| height to which it scared. making, ]
think, two gyrations; but, judging
from the height of neighboring trees
on the river-bank, which it had sur
mounted, it may have reached $50 feet.
1t then scared round and round in a
decreasing spiral. and fell about 100
{, yards in front of the thrower
The descending curve passed the
| thrower, | think, three tines
The natives who were spectators of
this exhibition stood about 100 yards
on one side the thrower, and when
the boomerang approached, every eye
was sharply fixed upon it, in order that
it might be lodged did it threaten
strike in its erratic movements. A
third kind of boomerang is used in
Central Australia. 1t is about four or
five feet in length and of very heavy
wood. 1t is rarely borne about by the
natives, but is kept in their huts, or
concealed near them when in the bush.
Hop SrNc-s. IIa blome sLyinnae