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Abstract

Any stone that was unusual was picked up by the tribes-
man and sooner or later was endowed with magical qualities.
To the native, there was no effect without a cause, so anything which occurred without a reasonable explanation was thought to be caused by the stones, which then became known as magic stones.
Another misconception the natives held was that if the stones could be dissolved they would create rain. This misconception arose, most likely from the discovery of a piece of ice, shaped like a stone that melted once the temperature rose. They believed that the melted stone had caused the rain.
Includes plates.

Item Type:	Article
Authors/Creators:	Aiston, George
Keywords:	Royal Society of Tasmania, RST, Van Diemens Land, natural history, science, ecology, taxonomy, botany, zoology, geology, geography, papers & proceedings, Australia, UTAS Library
Journal or Publication Title:	Papers and Proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania
ISSN:	0080-4703
Collections:	Royal Society Collection > Papers & Proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania
Additional Information:	Copyright Royal Society of Tasmania
Item Statistics:	View statistics for this item

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