Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1893-11-27
BOOMERANGS.
How They Are Thrown and the Meens"-
teal Theory of Their Flight.

There are two kinds of boomerangs-one
of which is commonly called the come
hack boomerang" from the strange pecu-
liarltv of its flight, while the other iscaiied
"b,ruuect.n The latter is used in war ana
in the chase. and is about feet inches in
length and weighs about II ounces II Is
slightly curved and resembles IA scimeter III
shane The .barngect" or war boomerang
IL nninted on both ends, and is thrown TO
kin or wound large game, such rs the kan
CARGO and the Australian wild dog and hui
man foes Ii is not made to return to the
thrower. The Apache Indians of Arizona
EMPLOY similar weapon in hunting rab-
hits. It's form varies from that of caval-
nv saber to an ohtuse angle of 1870 degrees.
IL IL about 20 inches long, = inches broad
and thin ut the edge.
II il rather difficult to explain the me
chanical theory of the flight of the boom
erany First-The rotation Of the instru-
ment about its free axis through the cen
Ter of gravity is the fundamental condition
of success. The faster the rotation the
LANCER the boomerang floats in the air.
Second-The mutation of the axis OF rota'
tion has to be considered. This mutation
decreases with the angle of inclination oil
creases with the increase Of the said angle.
In the case of Il small angle the plane OF
rotation keeps parallel to the initial posi-
tiou of this plane, or very nearly SC. Inc
two wings form one plane with thei: lower
sides lthis angle being zero. The instrument
has no perceptible mutation, and must he
thrown perpendcularly to the vertical
nlane passing through the hand The in
L., t.tlI ypff nearly
the same plane that it went up This
throw is rather difficult.
In the second case, the angle of inclina-
ton of the two wings being very large, the
plane of rotation is constantly changing in
regard to its inclination with the horizon
and by this circumstance causes the instrli'
ment to describe series of complicated
curves like those of u large bird OF prey
before it settles at the feet of the tbrower.
In general the initial plane of rotation
must form an acute angle with the horizon
which may increase to right angle when
the inclination of the two wings is nearing
its maximum.
Professor Eggers has formulated the fol
lowing directions for throwing the boomer
ang: Take the boomerang with the fun
fist by one end so that the fiat side of the
instrument faces the ground, and then Hing
il away with o,tstretched arm, giving it al
the same time rotary motion by II jerk
with the wrist In the moment of leaving
the hand the boomerang should have an in
cliuatiou toward the left, and its progress
sive motion should be in an upward direc-
ton under n certain angle of elevation.
The angle Of inclination to the left and the
angle of elevation vary from one instru
ment to another and have to be ascertained
by some gentle trial throws for any par
ticular instrument before the thrower APP
plies the full power of his arm. The field
for practice should be- soft ground, free OF
stones or other hard objects. Throw it
against the wind or half against it. Do no;
practice when hard wind is blowing y
New YorI, Tel,pran