Red ochre and its use by the aborigines of Tasmania. (incl. plate iv.).

There is hardly an account of the Aborigines of Tasmania in which the use of red ochre is not mentioned.
Captain Cook, in the description of his third voyage, already states that the Aborigines smeared their hair and beard with, a mixture of grease and red ochre. Later observers who came in contact with the Aborigines noticed the same. Questions remain unresolved as to the reasons why only the male aboriginies did this.
Many theories have been put forward, such as the Aborigines believed that hair clotted with ochre was seen as an exclusive male ornament, or it was done as a symbolic act, representing the blood of the vanquished enemy.
It has been asertained that the red ochre as used by the Aborigines is not a natural, but an artificial produce, being the result of roasting certain suitable iron ores in the fire.