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332 The weight of the Mulga is generally two pounds eight ounces to three pounds eight ounces.

This weapon is called Murgon by the natives of the Lower Murray, and Marr-aga by the natives of Gippsland. Probably for the purpose of preventing injury to the knuckles, it is customary to wrap around that part of the wooden shield grasped by the hand a piece of the skin of the opossum, as shown in Fig. 130. The Kul-luk and other instruments have the handles usually so covered, both for the protection of the hand, and to ensure a more secure hold of the weapon.

The Gee-am or Kerreem (spear-shield)—Figs. 131 and 132—is used in battle only, never in single combat. Used skilfully, it protects all parts of the body from spears. Unless the point of a spear happens to strike the centre, which a skilful warrior by his movements makes almost impossible, it is impenetrable.

The usual dimensions are as follow:—Length, thirty-eight inches; greatest breadth, ten inches; and thickness rather more than a quarter of an inch.

It is made of the bark of the gum-tree. Binnap (manna gum-tree, Eucalyptus viminalis) is very often used.

In making these shields some skill is necessary. After the bark is taken from the tree, and rudely shaped in the form desired, a mound of earth is raised some three feet in length, and about the breadth of the bark; hot ashes are placed on the mound, the bark is laid thereon, and it is covered with heavy stones and sods. The green bark, by the time the ashes are cold, has taken the curve of the mound, and the finishing and ornamenting of the weapon are pursued at leisure. The natives of Lake Tyers call this shield Bam-er-ook.