. The Australian Museum magazine. Natural history. TMK AISTK' MFSKFAr ^^AGAZrNE. 87 able for the use of students and oilier workers. The condition of the Museum collections is excellent, this l)ein<i' due to the vigilance of a specially trained staff. In the past the birds were scattered throu.'lu)ut many differenl (•al)im'ls. I)ut they are now underiioinji' a comi)lete re- arrangement and cataloguing, and the final result will be tliat any individual specimen of any species can l)e found within a few seconds. Any species specially asked for is available for in- spection, and students
. The Australian Museum magazine. Natural history. TMK AISTK' MFSKFAr ^^AGAZrNE. 87 able for the use of students and oilier workers. The condition of the Museum collections is excellent, this l)ein<i' due to the vigilance of a specially trained staff. In the past the birds were scattered throu.'lu)ut many differenl (•al)im'ls. I)ut they are now underiioinji' a comi)lete re- arrangement and cataloguing, and the final result will be tliat any individual specimen of any species can l)e found within a few seconds. Any species specially asked for is available for in- spection, and students and workers will always receive sucii facilities foi- study, and as much of our time as can lie placed at their disposal. Primitive Magic and Sorcery. r>v William W. Thoupk. Amongst the many curious articles in the Museum ethnographical collections is a small cylindrical baml)00 box from the east end District of Papua iiartly filled with vegetable mould, and capped by a rind lid. It is used, by a process of make- believe, to obtain certain possessions from another native. The owner of the box dips his finger in cocoanut "milk," then into the box, and smears the mould around liis lips, meanwhile asking for what he requires. It is used more es- pecially for obtaining possession of the wife or a pig belonging to another tribesman, and, owing to the belief of the latter in the potency of tlie box and its contents, lie dare not refuse. Sorcery or nuigic enters largely into the life and experience of all native peoples. In fact one sees its survival in many of the fears and superstitions current amongst civilised comnuuiities. It may be defined as an attempt to pro- duce a result by some extraneous agency, su]3erhuman or occult. As a rule those wdio practice it claim to have special contact with si)irits, but. as in this case, a material agency is com- monly used, for the profession has its own properties and implements of trade. These practices are only possible be-
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1920, booksubjectnaturalhistory, booky
