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5
its tail, banged its head several times against a branch and dropped it to the ground.
Should a possum or a bees' nest be located about halfway up a hollow branch the blackfellow cut fairly deep right and left notches. Descending to the ground, he tied his vine behind him in a not that would not slip. Grasping it again with either hand, he climbed back to the notches already cut. Placing his feet firmly in them he carefully adjusted the knotted part of the vine on the upper part of his posterior, the outward thrust of his leap from the tree keeping him firm and steady and the vine taut. Thus he was able to do without a hand hold and to use the tomahawk with both hands if so inclined. Showing great endurance I have seen an aboriginal chop for half an hour or more in this precarious and uncomfortable position without coming to the ground for a rest. They were so sinuous and so deft in their movements, especially in the wristy and graceful play of the tomahawk with never a blow wasted or misplaced, that it was great pleasure to watch them when hunting for game either aloft or below. Mostly they climbed naked except for a belt needful to carry the tomahawk.
Sometimes while resting or shifting position in a tree they hooked this implement over the right shoulder and kept it in place by slightly elevating the shoulder and