Fig. 26. Carving depicting a quarrel between a man and his gin. Arunndta tribe (× 1/2). Tracing.
The three designs are all drawn in charcoal, the figures in the first two cases being outlined with a white pipe-clay line, and in the second case with one of yellow ochre. If we wish to go one better still, we need only study the pipe-clay drawing on bark by a native of the Katherine River district shown on [Plate XLIX], 1—a very creditable picture of a dead kangaroo.
Some of the designs one meets with are so accurately drawn that a scientific determination of the species becomes possible. Look for a moment at the fish, portrayed in pipe-clay, shown in [Plate XLVIII]. The piscine nature of the form, here depicted on rocks, is not only apparent, but it is possible to say with some certainty that the two shown swimming belong to the Toxotes, which are commonly called Archer Fish. The form shown in [Plate XLIX], 4, is unquestionably meant to be one of the Therapon species. Both kinds of fish are known to be living in the Katherine River, not far from the site at which these pictures were drawn.
But if, on the other hand, some of the designs are so poor as to be barely recognizable or even quite unrecognizable by us, how does the aboriginal manage? When the artist is present, he can explain. But he is not always available!
If, by way of illustration, we were asked to say definitely what the meaning of the central figure on [Plate L], 1, was we should in all probability want to know more about it before committing ourselves. But an aboriginal can give us a correct reply immediately. The locality at which the photograph was obtained is north of the Musgrave Ranges in central Australia. But that does not give us any clue. After studying the picture more closely, we might be able to distinguish the outline of a quadruped, the four legs being shown, one behind the other, in a row, and a big head on the right-hand side, in a position suggesting that the animal is feeding. But these are characteristics common to many animals!
So far, therefore, we have seen nothing to suggest the class of animal we are dealing with. When we look again, we might note that there is a crude image of a human being shown on the back of the animal; and behind this is a structure which might stand for a saddle. We guess the answer and claim that the group is a very poor drawing of a man on horseback.
But there are other animals a man could ride! And when we look again, we observe that the second leg of the animal, counting from the right, has a peculiar enlargement attached to its lower end. That structure is the key to the riddle; it represents the track of the animal! Those familiar with the great beast of burden, now used extensively in central Australia, will recognize the two-toed spoor of a camel.
This method of pictorial elucidation is by no means exceptional. We have already noticed something similar in the ancient carvings at Port Hedland, where the human foot-print is added to disperse any doubt which may be entertained in so far as the correct interpretation of the figure is concerned. A similar device is well exemplified in the accompanying sketch of an ochre drawing of a human form from the Glenelg River district in the northern Kimberleys of Western Australia ([Fig. 15]). In the carving of an emu from the King Sound district, which is reproduced in [Plate XLII], 2, we noticed the same sort of thing.
Fig. 27. Ochre-drawing of spear-boomerang duel, Arunndta tribe (× 1/2). Tracing.