The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-09-21
TEE BOOMERANG.
FrOm tAs rseAnGeal word Masns'nr.

0OOlNhtF 1lM CuD III Nuy NuAeoN DenuCrt ~
haps In thu world. A short time ago a few
gentlemen connected with the Department
Of Agriculture formed an association for
tho study and use Of this peculiar weapon
TAsy secured . large tract Of open land IN
the northwestern section OF the city, and
since that time have been busy with their
novel sport. They are rapidly becoming
expert In the use OF this remarkable weapon,
and there is no reason why the sport should
not be adopted in other SECTIONS OF the
country.
For many years IL was generally believed
that the sbnries Of travellers regarding the
performances Of tAAs remarkable weapon
were made Of whos cloth assisted by a vivid
Imagination. but recently acquired knoWi-
edge has shown that it will do all that has
been claimed for IL. Considerable areaA
OF territory are necessary for the proper
manipulation OF the boomerang, and great
care should be taken by the neophyte until lie
peculiar flights are understood. Boomeranga
are far from being toys, but are extremely
dangerous weapons in the hands Of mex
perienced throwers. the novice never know
ing where they will alight.
In lie fight the boomerang seems to defy
all known laws Of ptojectiles, and in the
hands OF an expert beautiful evolutions may
be obtained from II. No one but the thrower
ever knows where q boomerang after leav-
ing the hand will fall, but he can calculate
to q nicely, the Australians manipulating
than no we'll that they frequently catch them
on their return after a flight that would
seem incredible IL It were not witnessed.
The boomerang will perform feats that are
little short Of miraculous. and although
science has as yet failed to explain thor
oughly the reasons Tor these peculiarities, IL
Is understood that they are the result OF a
combination Of the form Of the weapon and
the resistance Of the air.
This primitive weapon Is made OF a piece
Of wood about ~twenty-six inches in length
by two and one-half in width and one
third of an inch in its greatest thickness,
Tho wood is steamed and bent to an angle
Of about 40 degrees, the inner edge being
almost knifelike in its sharpness, the outer
more rounded. The finished article ooks
not unlike an ordinary sickle, and is thrown
by grasping one end with the hand. holding
the convex side furthest from the body and
projecting it straight away on a horizontal
| plane. Ash has been found to be the wood
best adapted to the making of boomerangs,
because OF Its touGhness and correct specific
gravity.
Any boy having access to a carpenters
shop and possessing a knowledge Of a few
simple tools can make his boomerangs; In
fact, they can be made with nothing but
the wood, a spokeshave and a piece OF
| sandpaper, but the original piece of wood
should be secured from a turning mill, be-
cause Of the better facilities at those places
" - A.-lE,, a. - Nha onr,o1f
shape for the final touches.
Let the wood be three inches in width,
one-half incn In thickness and twenty-six
inches in length, having an angle Of from 40
to 40 degrees, The crude weapon before
steaming must be twisted from loft TO
right 90 that the outer edge OF each half
will barely project beyond the iEner edges.
With this as q foundation, the carpenter
must shave the wood 20 that the inner
| edge will be quite sharp and the outer
but little Iees 30, the sides bullying 10 that
the greatest thickness ia not quite half an
inch. On the end which 10 intended to be
Kraaped by the hand in throwing there may
be made a few ridges 10 as to permit OF a
firm hold. Take this weapon into a large
field and see what may be done with it. II
there are trees 80 much the better for the
beauty Of the evoIutions, Take a stand
Atty yards from q tree, and throw the BOOM
eranK as hard - you can at the trunk and
exactly as you would q baseball, always
remembering to hold the convex side out
ward and the tip perpendiculaTly with the
handle. Aim directly at the tree and see
what happens. ..
II the boomerang has been made cor
rectlY it will 90 toward the tree with the
speed Of q bullet, but before reaching il
will sail to the left, rise in the air, and exc
cute a beautiful circle to the right, return
ing to within q few feet OF the thrower. Thii
is the action Of the right hand boomerang
but they are also made for left hand flights
in which case the twist must be made u
the left instead Of the right. by varying
the degrees Of the angle and the weight o
the weapon a. well as the twist, many Yaria
ions Of flight may be secured.
For long distance throwing they should
be made quite large, as the increased weigh
can be obtained only in this manner, anC
weight is what carries them through the
air. Tho stFaightaway throwing with lii
weapon first described always results in one
circle from left to right, but this may b
varied by alterations in the method o
throwing as well a. in the force with whicl
they are propelled through the air.
Experimenting alone viii result in perfec
ton, and new throwers almost always at
tain results differing from thoss Of Others
An expert Australian thrower will spin on
from him with seeming ease. 1t will strik
the ground . short distance away, boun'
into the air and akin along . few feet abov
the earth, then descend and again reboun
over q tree, describe two circles and returl
to the hand Of the thrower.