nd, `Rambles in New South Wales,' p. 39:

"This instrument, called a bommereng, is made of wood, and is
much like the blade of a scimitar. I believe it has been
introduced into England as a plaything for children."

1850. J. B. Clutterbuck, `Port Phillip in 1849,' p. 57:

"The boomerang is an extraordinary missile, formed in the shape
of a crescent, and when propelled at an object, apparently
<i>point blank</i>, it turns in any direction intended by the
thrower, so that it can actually be directed in this manner
against a person standing by his side. The consummate art
visible in its unnatural-looking progression greatly depends
upon the manner in which it is made to rebound from the ground
when thrown."

1865. W. Howitt, `Discovery in Australia,' vol. ii. p. 107;

"He [Sir Thomas Mitchell] applied to the screw propeller the
revolving principle of the boomerang of the Australian
natives."

1867. G. G. McCrae, `Balladeadro,' p. 25:

"While circling thro' the air there sang
The swift careering boomerang."

1888. A. Seth, `Encyclopaedia Britannica,' vol. xxiv. p. 530,
col. 2:

"He [Archbishop Whately] was an adept in various savage sports,
more especially in throwing the boomerang."

1889. P. Beveridge, `Aborigines of Victoria and Riverina,' p. 49:

"Boomerang: a thin piece of wood, having the shape of a
parabola, about eighteen inches or two feet long from point to
point, the curve being on the thin side. Of the broad sides of
the missile one is slightly convex, the other is flat. The
thin sides are worked down finely to blunt edges. The peculiar
curve of the missile gives it the property of returning to the
feet of the thrower. It is a dangerous instrument in a melee.
Of course the wood from which it is made is highly seasoned by
fire. It is therefore nearly as hard as flint."

1890. C. Lumholtz, `Among Cannibals,' p. 49:

[A full description of the use of the boomerang is given,
with illustrations.]

"The boomerang is a curved, somewhat flat, and slender weapon,
made from a hard and heavy wood, Brigalow (<i>Acacia
excelsa</i>), or Myall (<i>Acacia pendula</i>), but the best
one I found was made of a lighter kind of wood. The curving of
the boomerang, which often approaches a right angle, must be
natural, and in the wood itself. One side is perfectly flat,
and the other slightly rounded. The ends are pointed."

1890. G. W. Rusden, `Proceedings, Royal Colonial Institute,' vol.
xxii