Take as a very simple illustration the lizard shown in the pipeclay rock drawing from the Katherine River ([Plate XLIX], 3). The general shape of the body, together with the large and well-differentiated head, strongly suggests a species of the large monitor which is common throughout the district. The interesting feature about the picture is, however, the life which is indicated by the fact that the reptile is drawn in the act of shooting out a long, split tongue.
Fig. 31. Normal, conventional, and emblematic representations of turtle.
Fig. 32. Normal, conventional, and emblematic representations of frog.
Again, in the charcoal sketch of two crows from the Pigeon Hole district ([Fig. 19]), one bird is represented in an attentive attitude, as though on the point of flying away, while the other is very characteristically shown in the act of cawing.
One could produce an almost endless variety of decorated figures, representing men and women performing at ceremonial dances and corrobborees to illustrate the life and action which is embodied in aboriginal art. In [Fig. 20] a selected number of pipe-clay drawings from the Humbert River, Northern Territory, have been grouped together to serve this purpose.
Fig. 33. Normal, conventional, and emblematic representations of echidna.
The most interesting effects, however, are those brought about by a combination of two or more figures. How different, for instance, the two kangaroo shown together in [Fig. 21] seem to those previously discussed ([Plate XLVII]). These are charcoal drawings from Pigeon Hole on the Victoria River, and in them the hopping movement of the animals is indicated very clearly. The animal in the rear is in full flight, as the erect position of the tail and the general holding of the body betray; but the one in the lead is on the point of drawing up and is turning its head back towards its mate.