Some of the Queensland tribes attach one or two outriggers to their canoes, which, of course, give them additional safety when by chance they might be overtaken by a rough or choppy sea.
The Groote Islanders in the Gulf of Carpentaria carry a mast in the centre of their dug-outs, to which they lash two long horizontal bamboo-booms and spread a sail between them. This circumstance is remarkable, since the Groote Islanders are among the least known of the Australian tribes and have come less into contact with Europeans than other tribes who might have learned the use of sails.
PLATE XXI
1. Arunndta girl digging “Yelka.”
“The gins use “wanna” or yam-sticks, which they mostly hold in the fist of one hand....”
2. Arunndta gin cleaning “Yelka” in bark pitchi.
“... all that is required to be done is to rub it between the palms of the two hands....”