The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1913-06-03
THROWING THE BOOMERANG.
Great Skill Required in Manipulation
of Simple Weapon.

Boomerangs are undoubtedly one OF
the most curious and interesting and
most remarkable weapons in the
world, considering their crudeness.
The tales that have been told about
the feats that can be performed with
them by an expert are not myths by
any means.
An Englishman who has been inves-
tigating the subjct in Australia and
who has reported his results and made
exhibition throws for King George,
says that by selecting a boomerang OF
suitable shape and by knowing the
knack of giving it just the right twist
the natives of Queensland and New
South Wales can make them do things
so startling that they seem bewitched.
The boomerangs are usually made
from limb or root of tree that mas
the proper crook, or sometimes they
are made by heating green stick in
the fire and then bending it. They are
worked to the desired shape by scrap
ing with flint instruments and smooth
ing with bits of glass. They are usu-
al1y made rounding on one side and
fl attish on the other. One form OF
boomerang used in war has hook at
one end.
When this instrument is thrown at
an enemy he puts up his own boom
erang to ward off the blow. This ac-
tion. says the Pathfinder, causes the
hook to catch on his own boomerang
and brings the hooked weapon side
ways in such way that it deals him
hard blow on the side Of the head,
almost in spite of anything he can do
to parry it
Making the boomerang perform
figure eight in the air is comparatively
common feat, and all sorts OF CON-
plicated figures are produced, includ-
ing double eight. The test OF sure
thrower is to make the stick come
back obediently to his feet after en-"
gaging in these fights, so he will only
have to stoop to pick 1t up.
/ On every useful throw which is OF
item used, by the natives in hunting
wild fowl and other small animals
consists in standing behind some bar
1ier which cuts OF the view and then
thurling the instrument In G direction
away from the game, SO that It then
turns in it's flight and goes straight
Eamong them, where it performs
number Of gyrations and Is pretty sure
to cause considerable carnage
Amateurs have often tried to learn
the trick of throwing boomerang
hut It takes long practice to do much
with it. There are a number of boom
erangs from Australia and the Pacific
islands in the government collections
at Washington and several scientists
have succeeded in throwing them in
such a way at least as to make every
one within half mile fearful OF be-
ing hit They are rather ticklish In
struments to fool with, for unless
person is acquainted with their ways
thew are liable to turn in the air and
give some one a rap when least ex-
pected.
1t is impossible to make the boom
erang work in high wind, though
litcle breeze IS necessary, as in kite n.y.
ing You throw across the wind; that
is, if the wind is from the west, you
throw either to the north or south, ac-
cording to whether the boomerang is
hattened on one side or the other.
There is no absolute standard shape
for boomerang, as many people
think. In fact, many different shapes
are used, according to conditions.
In throwing the instrument more
knack than actual muscle is required,
though the movement must be rapid
and straight. It is thrown at an angle
usually of about 45 degrees in the air,
an6 Just as it leaves the hand it is