第11章

Myfirstinquirieswereaboutthelories，butIcouldgetverylittlesatisfactoryinformation。Theonlykindsknownwerethering-neckedloryandthecommonredandgreenlorikeet，bothcommonatAmboyna。BlackToriesandcockatooswerequiteunknown。

TheAlfurosresidedinthemountainsfiveorsixdays\'journeyaway，andtherewereonlyoneortwolivebirdstobefoundinthevillage，andthesewereworthless。Myhunterscouldgetnothingbutafewcommonbirds；andnotwithstandingfinemountains，luxuriantforests，andalocalityahundredmileseastward，Icouldfindnonewinsects，andextremelyfewevenofthecommonspeciesofAmboynaandWestCeram。Itwasevidentlynousestoppingatsuchaplace，andIwasdeterminedtomoveonassoonaspossible。

ThevillageofTelutiispopulous，butstragglingandverydirty。

Sagotreesherecoverthemountainside，insteadofgrowingasusualinlowswamps；butacloserexaminationshowsthattheygrowinswampypatches，whichhaveformedamongthelooserocksthatcovertheground，andwhicharekeptconstantlyfullofmoisturebytherains，andbytheabundanceofrillswhichtrickledownamongthem。Thissagoformsalmostthewholesubsistenceoftheinhabitants，whoappeartocultivatenothingbutafewsmallpatchesofmaizeandsweetpotatoes。Hence，asbeforeexplained，thescarcityofinsects。TheOrang-kayahasfineclothes，handsomelamps，andotherexpensiveEuropeangoods，yetliveseverydayonsagoandfishasmiserablyastherest。

AfterthreedaysinthisbarrenplaceIleftonthemorningofMarch6th，intwoboatsofthesamesizeasthosewhichhadbroughtmetoTeluti。WithsomedifficultyIhadobtainedpermissiontotaketheseboatsontoTobo，whereIintendedtostayawhile，andthereforegotonprettyquickly，changingmenatthevillageofLaiemu，andarrivinginaheavyrainatAhtiago。Astherewasagooddealofsurfhere，andlikelytobemoreifthewindblewhardduringthenight，ourboatswerepulleduponthebeach；andaftersuppingattheOrang-kaya\'shouse，andwritingdownavocabularyofthelanguageoftheAlfuros，wholiveinthemountainsinland，Ireturnedtosleepintheboat。Nextmorningweproceeded，changingmenatWarenama，andagainatHatometen，atbothofwhichplacestherewasmuchsurfandnoharbour，sothatthemenhadtogoonshoreandcomeonboardbyswimming。ArrivingintheeveningofMarch7thatBatuassa，thefirstvillagebelongingtotheRajahofTobo，andunderthegovernmentofBanda，thesurfwasveryheavy，owingtoastrongwestwardswell。Wethereforeroundedtherockypointonwhichthevillagewassituated，butfounditverylittlebetterontheotherside。Wewereobliged，however，togoonshorehere；

andwaitingtillthepeopleonthebeachhadmadepreparations，byplacingarowoflogsfromthewater\'sedgeonwhichtopullupourboats，werowedasquicklyaswecouldstraightontothem，afterwatchingtilltheheaviestsurfshadpassed。Themomentwetouchedgroundourmenalljumpedout，and，assistedbythoseonshore，attemptedtohauluptheboathighanddry，butnothavingsufficienthands，thesurfrepeatedlybrokeintothestern。Thesteepnessofthebeach，however，preventedanydamagebeingdone，andtheotherboathavingbothcrewstohaulatit，wasgotupwithoutdifficulty。

Thenextmorning，thewaterbeinglow，thebreakerswereatsomedistancefromshore，andwehadtowatchforasmoothmomentafterbringingtheboatstothewater\'sedge，andsogotsafelyouttosea。Atthetwonextvillages，ToboandOssong，wealsotookinfreshmen，whocameswimmingthroughthesurf；andatthelatterplacetheRajahcameonboardandaccompaniedmetoKissalaut，wherehehasahousewhichhelentmeduringmystay。

Hereagainwasaheavysurf，anditwaswithgreatdifficultywegottheboatssafelyhauledup。AtAmboynaIhadbeenpromisedatthisseasonacalmseaandthewindoffshore，butinthiscase，asineveryother，Ihadbeenunabletoobtainanyreliableinformationastothewindsandseasonsofplacesdistanttwoorthreedays\'journey。Itappears，however，thatowingtothegeneraldirectionoftheislandofCeram(E。S。E。andW。N。W。)，thereisaheavysurfandscarcelyanyshelteronthesouthcoastduringthewestmonsoon，whenaloneajourneytotheeastwardcanbesafelymade；whileduringtheeastmonsoon，whenIproposedtoreturnalongthenorthcoasttoWahai，Ishouldprobablyfindthatequallyexposedanddangerous。ButalthoughthegeneraldirectionofthewestmonsoonintheBandaseacausesaheavyswell，withbadsurfonthecoast，yetwehadlittleadvantageofthewind；for，owingIsupposetothenumerousbaysandheadlands，wehadcontrarysouth-eastorevendueeastwindsalltheway，andhadtomakealmostthewholedistancefromAmboynabyforceofrowing。Wehadthereforeallthedisadvantages，andnoneoftheadvantages，ofthiswestmonsoon，whichIwastoldwouldinsuremeaquickandpleasantjourney。

IwasdelayedatKissa-lautjustfourweeks，althoughafterthefirstthreedaysIsawthatitwouldbequiteuselessformetostay，andbeggedtheRajahtogivemeaprauandmentocarrymeontoGoram。Butinsteadofgettingonecloseathand，heinsistedonsendingseveralmilesoff；andwhenaftermanydelaysitatlengtharrived，itwasaltogetherunsuitableandtoosmalltocarrymybaggage。Anotherwasthenorderedtobebroughtimmediately，andwaspromisedinthreedays，butdoablethattimeelapsedandnoneappeared，andwewereobligedatlengthtogetoneattheadjoiningvillage，whereitmighthavebeensomuchmoreeasilyobtainedatfirst。Thencamecaulkingandcoveringover，andquarrelsbetweentheownerandtheRajah\'smen，whichoccupiedmorethananothertendays，duringallwhichtimeIwasgettingabsolutelynothing，findingthispartofCeramaperfectdesertinzoology。althoughamostbeautifulcountry，andwithaveryluxuriantvegetation。Itwasacompletepuzzle，whichtothisdayIhavenotbeenabletounderstand；theonlythingI

obtainedworthnoticeduringmymonth\'sstayherebeingafewgoodlandshells。

Atlength，onApril4th，wesucceededingettingawayinourlittleboatofaboutfourtonsburthen，inwhichmynumerousboxeswerewithdifficultypackedsoastoleavesleepingandcoolingroom。Thecraftcouldnotboastanounceofironorafootofropeinanypartofitsconstruction，noramorselofpitchorpaintinitsdecoration。Theplankswerefastenedtogetherintheusualingeniouswaywithpegsandrattans。Themastwasabambootriangle，requiringnoshrouds，andcarryingalongmatsail；tworudderswerehungonthequartersbyrattans，theanchorwasofwood，andalongandthickrattan；servedasacable。Ourcrewconsistedoffourmen，whosepoleaccommodationwasaboutthreefeetbyfourinthebowsandstern，withtheslopingthatchrooftostretchthemselvesuponforachange。Wehadnearlyahundredmilestogo，fullyexposedtotheswelloftheBandasea，whichissometimesveryconsiderable；butweluckilyhaditcalmandsmooth，sothatwemadethevoyageincomparativecomfort。

OntheseconddaywepassedtheeasternextremityofCeram，formedofagroupofhummockylimestonehills；and，sailingbytheislandsofKwammerandKeffing，boththicklyinhabited，cameinsightofthelittletownofKilwaru，whichappearstoriseoutofthesealikearusticVenice。Thisplacehasreallyamostextraordinaryappearance，asnotaparticleoflandorvegetationcanbeseen，butalongwayoutatseaalargevillageseemstofloatuponthewater。Thereisofcourseasmallislandofseveralacresinextent；butthehousesarebuiltsocloselyallroundituponpilesinthewater，thatitiscompletelyhidden。

Itisaplaceofgreattraffic，beingtheemporiumformuchoftheproduceoftheseEasternseas，andistheresidenceofmanyBugisandCeramesetraders，andappearstohavebeenchosenonaccountofitsbeingclosetotheonlydeepchannelbetweentheextensiveshoalsofCeram-lautandthoseborderingtheeastendofCeram。Wenowhadcontraryeastwinds，andwereobligedtopoleovertheshallowcoralreefsofCeram-lautfornearlythirtymiles。Theonlydangerofourvoyagewasjustatitstermination，foraswewererowingtowardsManowolko，thelargestoftheGoramgroup，wewerecarriedoutsorapidlybyastrongwesterlycurrent，thatIwasalmostcertainatonetimeweshouldpassclearoftheisland；inwhichcaseoursituationwouldhavebeenbothdisagreeableanddangerous，as，withtheeastwindwhichhadjustsetin，wemighthavebeenunabletoreturnformanydays，andwehadnotaday\'swateronboard。AtthecriticalmomentI

servedoutsomestrongspiritstomymen，whichputfreshvigourintotheirarms，andcarriedusoutoftheinfluenceofthecurrentbeforeitwastoolate。

MANOWOLKO，GORAMGROUP。

OnarrivingatManowolko，wefoundtheRajahwasattheoppositeislandofGoram；buthewasimmediatelysentfor，andinthemeantimealargeshedwasgivenforouraccommodation。AtnighttheRajahcame，andthenextdayIhadavisitfromhim，andfound，asIexpected，thatIhadalreadymadehisacquaintancethreeyearsbeforeatAru。Hewasveryfriendly，andwehadalongtalk；butwhenIbeggedforaboatandmentotakemeontoKe，hemadeahostofdifficulties。Therewerenopraus，asallhadgonetoKeorAim；andevenifonewerefound，therewerenomen，asitwastheseasonwhenallwereawaytrading。Buthepromisedtoseeaboutit，andIwasobligedtowait。Forthenexttwoorthreedaystherewasmoretalkingandmoredifficultieswereraised，andIhadtimetomakeanexaminationoftheislandandthepeople。

Manowolkoisaboutfifteenmileslong，andisamere；upraisedcoral-reef。Twoorthreehundredyardsinlandrisecliffsofcoralrock，inmanypartsperpendicular，andoneortwohundredfeethigh；andthis，Iwasinformed，ischaracteristicofthewholeisland，inwhichthereisnootherkindofrock，andnostreamofwater。Afewcracksandchasmsfurnishpathstothetopofthesecliffs，wherethereisanopenundulatingcountry，inwhichthechiefvegetablegroundsoftheinhabitantsaresituated。

Thepeoplehere——atleastthechiefmen——wereofamuchpurerMalayracethantheMahometansofthemainlandofCeram，whichisperhapsduetotherehavingbeennoindigenesonthesesmallislandswhenthefirstsettlersarrived。InCeram，theAlfurosofPapuanracearethepredominanttype，theMalayphysiognomybeingseldomwellmarked；whereasherethereverseisthecase，andaslightinfusionofPapuanonamixtureofMalayandBugishasproducedaverygood-lookingsetofpeople。Thelowerclassofthepopulationconsistalmostentirelyoftheindigenesoftheadjacentisland。Theyareafinerace，withstrongly-markedPapuanfeatures，frizzlyhair，andbrowncomplexions。TheGoramlanguageisspokenalsoattheeastendofCeram，andintheadjacentislands。IthasageneralresemblancetothelanguagesofCeram，butpossessesapeculiarelementwhichIhavenotmetwithinotherlanguagesoftheArchipelago。

Aftergreatdelay，consideringtheimportanceofeverydayatthistimeofyear，amiserableboatandfivemenwerefound，andwithsomedifficultyIstowedawayinitsuchbaggageasitwasabsolutelynecessaryformetotake，leavingscarcelysittingorsleepingroom。Thesailingqualitiesoftheboatwerehighlyvaunted，andIwasassuredthatatthisseasonasmallonewasmuchmorelikelytosucceedinmakingthejourney。Wefirstcoastedalongtheisland，reachingitseasternextremitythefollowingmorning(April11th)，andfoundastrongW。S。W。windblowing，whichjustallowedustolayacrosstotheMatabelloIslands，adistancelittleshortoftwentymiles。Ididnotmuchlikethelookoftheheavyskyandratherroughsea，andmymenwereveryunwillingtomaketheattempt；butaswecouldscarcelyhopeforabetterchance，Iinsistedupontrying。Thepitchingandjerkingofourlittleboat，soonreducedmetoastateofmiserablehelplessness，andIlaydown，resignedtowhatevermighthappen。Afterthreeorfourhours，Iwastoldwewerenearlyover；butwhenIgotup，twohourslater，justasthesunwassetting，Ifoundwewerestillagooddistancefromthepoint，owingtoastrongcurrentwhichhadbeenforsometimeagainstus。Nightclosedin，andthewinddrewmoreahead，sowehadtotakeinsail。Thencameacalm，andwerowedandsailedasoccasionoffered；anditwasfourinthemorningwhenwereachedthevillageofKisslwoi，nothavingmademorethanthreemilesinthelasttwelvehours。

MATABELLOISLANDS。

AtdaylightIfoundwewere；inabeautifullittleharbour，formedbyacoralreefabouttwohundredyardsfromshore，andperfectlysecureineverywind。Havingeatennothingsincethepreviousmorning，wecookedourbreakfastcomfortablyonshore，andleftaboutnoon，coastingalongthetwoislandsofthisgroup，whichlieinthesameline，andareseparatedbyanarrowchannel。Bothseementirelyformedofraisedcoralrock；butthemhasbeenasubsequentsubsidence，asshavenbythebarrierreefwhichextendsallalongthematvaryingdistancesfromtheshore，Thisreefissometimesonlymarkedbya。lineofbreakerswhenthereisalittleswellonthesea；inotherplacesthereisaridgeofdeadcoralabovethewater，whichishereandtherehighenoughtosupportafewlowbushes。ThiswasthefirstexampleI

hadmetwithofatruebarrierreefduetosubsidence，ashasbeensoclearlyshownbyMr。Darwin。Inashelteredarchipelagotheywillseldombedistinguishable，fromtheabsenceofthosehugerollingwavesandbreakerswhichinthewideoceanthrowupabarrierofbrokencoralfarabovetheusualhigh-watermark，whileheretheyrarelyrisetothesurface。

Onreachingtheendofthesouthernisland，calledUta，wewerekeptwaitingtwodaysforawindthatwouldenableustopassovertothenextisland，Teor，andIbegantodespairofeverreachingKe，anddeterminedonreturning。Weleftwithasouthwind，whichsuddenlychangedtonorth-east，andinducedmetoturnagainsouthwardinthehopesthatthiswasthecommencementofafewdays\'favourableweather。WesailedonverywellinthedirectionofTeorforaboutanhour，afterwhichthewindshiftedtoWSW。，andweweredrivenmuchoutofourcourse，andatnightfallfoundourselvesintheopensea，andfulltenmilestoleewardofourdestination。Mymenwerenowallverymuchfrightened，forifwewentonwemightbea。weekatseainourlittleopenboat，ladenalmosttothewater\'sedge；orwemightdriftontothecoastofNewGuinea，inwhichcaseweshouldmostlikelyallbemurdered。Icouldnotdenytheseprobabilities，andalthoughIshowedthemthatwecouldnotgetbacktoourstarting-pointwiththewindasitwas，theyinsisteduponreturning。Weaccordinglyputabout，andfoundthatwecouldlaynonearertoUtathantoTeor；however，bygreatgoodluck，aboutteno\'clockwehituponalittlecoralisland，andlayunderitsleetillmorning，whenafavourablechangeofwindbroughtusbacktoUta，andbyevening(April18thwereachedourfirstanchorageinMatabello，whereIresolvedtostayafewdays，andthenreturntoGoram。ItwaywithmuchregretthatIgaveupmytriptoKeandtheinterveningislands，whichIhadlookedforwardtoaslikelytomakeupformydisappointmentinCeram，sincemyshortvisitonmyvoyagetoAruhadproducedmesomanyrareandbeautifulinsects。

ThenativesofMatabelloarealmostentirelyoccupiedinmakingcocoanutoil，whichtheyselltotheBugisandGoramtraders，whocarryittoBandaandAmboyna。Theruggedcoralrockseemsveryfavourabletothegrowthofthecocoa-nutpalm，whichaboundsoverthewholeislandtotheveryhighestpoints，andproducesfruitalltheyearround。Alongwithitaregreatnumbersofthearecaorbetel-nutpalm，thenutsofwhicharesliced，dried，andgroundintoapaste，whichismuchusedbythebetel-chewingMalaysandPapuans。A11thelittlechildrenhereevensuchascanjustrunalone，carriedbetweentheirlipsamassofthenasty-

lookingredpaste，whichisevenmoredisgustingthantoseethematthesameagesmokingcigars，whichisverycommonevenbeforetheyareweaned。Cocoa-nuts，sweetpotatoes，anoccasionalsagocake，andtherefusenutaftertheoilhasbeenextractedbyboiling，formthechiefsustenanceofthesepeople；andtheeffectofthispoorandunwholesomedietisseeninthefrequencyoferuptionsandscurfyskindiseases，andthenumeroussoresthatdisfigurethefacesofthechildren。

Thevillagesaresituatedonhighandruggedcoralpeaks，onlyaccessiblebysteepnarrowpaths，withladdersandbridgesoveryawningchasms。Theyarefilthywithrottenhusksandoilrefuse，andthehutsaredark，greasy，anddirtyintheextreme。Thepeoplearewretcheduglydirtysavages，clothedinunchangedrags，andlivinginthemostmiserablemanner，andaseverydropoffreshwaterhastobebroughtupfromthebeach，washingisneverthoughtof；yettheyareactuallywealthy，andhavethemeansofpurchasingallthenecessariesandluxuriesoflife。

Fowlsareabundant，andeggsweregivenmewheneverIvisitedthevillages，butthesearenevereaten，beinglookeduponaspetsorasmerchandise。Almostallofthewomenwearmassivegoldearrings，andineveryvillagetherearedozensofsmallbronzecannonlyingaboutontheground，althoughtheyhavecostontheaverageperhaps￡10apiece。Thechiefmenofeachvillagecametovisitme，clothedinrobesofsilkandfloweredsatin，thoughtheirhousesandtheirdailyfarearenobetterthanthoseoftheetherinhabitants。Whatacontrastbetweenthesepeopleandsuchsavagesasthebesttribesofbill。DyaksinBorneo，ortheIndiansoftheUaupesinSouthAmerica，livingonthebanksofclearstreams，cleanintheirpersonsandtheirhouses，withabundanceofwholesomefood，andexhibitingitseffectinhealthyshinsandbeautyofformandfeature！Thereisinfactalmostasmuchdifference：betweenthevariousracesofsavageasofcivilizedpeoples，andwemaysafelyaffirmthatthebetterspecimensoftheformeraremuchsuperiortothelowerexamplesofthelatterclass。

OneofthefewluxuriesofMatabelloisthepalmwine；whichisthefermentedsapfromtheflowerstainsofthecocoa-net。Itisreallyaverymicedrink，morelikecyderthanbeer，thoughquiteasintoxicatingasthelatter。Youngcocoa-nutsarealsoveryabundant，sothatanywhereintheislanditisonlynecessarytogoafewyardstofindadeliciousbeveragebyclimbingupatreeforit。Itisthewateroftheyoungfruitthatisdrunk，beforethepulphashardened；itisthenmoreabundant，clear，andrefreshing，andthethincoatingofgelatinouspulpisthoughtatreatluxury。Thewateroffull-browncocoa-nutsisalwaysthrownawayasundrinkable，althoughitisdeliciousincomparisonwiththatoftheolddrynutswhichaloneweobtaininthiscountry。

Thecocoa-nutpulpIdidnotlikeatfirst；butfruitsaresoscarce，exceptatparticularseasons，thatonesoonlearnstoappreciateanythingofafruitynature。

ManypersonsinEuropeareundertheimpressionthatfruitsofdeliciousflavouraboundinthetropicalforests，andtheywillnodoubtbesurprisedtolearnthatthetrulywildfruitsofthisbrandandluxuriantarchipelago，thevegetationofwhichwillviewiththatofanypartoftheworld，areinalmosteveryislandinferiorinabundanceanddualitytothoseofBritain。Wildstrawberriesandraspberriesarefoundinsomeplaces，buttheyarcsuchpoortastelessthingsastobehardlywortheating，andthereisnothingtocomparewithourblackberriesandwhortleberries。Thekanary-nutmaybeconsideredequaltoahazel-nut，butIhavemetwithnothingelsesuperiortoourcrabs，oarhaws，beech-nuts，wildplums，andacorns；fruitswhichwouldbehighlyesteemedbythenativesoftheseislands，andwouldformanimportantpartoftheirsustenance。Allthefinetropicalfruitsareasmuchcultivatedproductionsasourapples，peaches，andplums，andtheirwildprototypes，whenfound，aregenerallyeithertastelessoruneatable。

ThepeopleofMatabello，likethoseofmostoftheMahometanvillagesofEastCeramandGoram，amusedmemuchbytheirstrangeideasconcerningtheRussianwar。TheybelievethattheRussianswerenotonlymostthoroughlybeatenbytheTurks，butwereabsolutelyconquered，andallconvertedtoIslamism！Andtheycanhardlybeconvincedthatsuchisnotthecase，andthathaditnotbeenfortheassistanceofFranceandEngland，thepoorSultanworldhavefaredill。Anotheroftheirmotionsis，thattheTurksarethelargestandstrongestpeopleintheworld——infactaraceofgiants；thattheyeatenormousquantitiesofmeat，andareamostferociousandirresistiblenation。Whencesuchstrangelyincorrectopinionscouldhavearisenitisdifficulttounderstand，unlesstheyarederivedfromArabpriests，orhadjisreturnedfromMecca，whomayhaveheardoftheancientprowessoftheTurkisharmieswhentheymadeallEuropetremble，andsupposethattheircharacterandwarlikecapacitymustbethesameatthepresenttime。

GORAM

Asteadysouth-eastwindhavingsetin，wereturnedtoManowolkoonthe25thofApril，andthedayaftercrossedovertoOndor，thechiefvillageofGoram。

Aroundthisislandextends，withfewinterruptions，anencirclingcoralreefaboutaquarterofamilefromtheshore，visibleasastripeofpalegreenwater，butonlyatverylowestebb-tidesshowinganyrockabovethesurface。Thereareseveraldeepentrancesthroughthisreef，andinsideitthereishoodanchorageinallweathers。Thelandrisesgraduallytoamoderateheight，andnumeroussmallstreamsdescendonallsides。Themereexistenceofthesestreamswouldprovethattheislandwasnotentirelycoralline，asinthatcaseallthewaterwouldsinkthroughtheporousrockasitdoesatManowolkoandMatabello；

butwehavemorepositiveproofinthepebblesandstonesoftheirbeds，whichexhibitavarietyofstratifiedcrystallinerocks。Aboutahundredyardsfromthebeachrisesawallofcoralrock，tenortwentyfeethigh，abovewhichisanundulatingsurfaceofruggedcoral，whichslopesdownwardtowardstheinterior，andthenafteraslightascentisboundedbyasecondwallofcoral。Similarwallsoccurhigherup，andcoralisfoundonthehighestpartoftheisland。

Thispeculiarstructureteachesusthatbeforethecoralwasformedlandexistedinthisspot；thatthislandsunkgraduallybeneaththewaters，butwithintervalsofrest，duringwhichencirclingreef\'swereformedarounditatdifferentelevations；

thatitthenrosetoaboveitspresentelevation，andisnowagainsinking。Weinferthis，becauseencirclingreefsareaproofofsubsidence；andiftheislandwereagainelevatedaboutahundredfeet，whatisnowthereefandtheshallowseawithinitwouldformawallofcoralrock，andanundulatingcorallineplain，exactlysimilartothosethatstillexistatvariousaltitudesuptothesummitoftheisland。Welearnalsothatthesechangeshavetakenplaceatacomparativelyrecentepoch，forthesurfaceofthecoralhasscarcelysufferedfromtheactionoftheweather，andhundredsofsea-shells，exactlyresemblingthosestillfounduponthebeach，andmanyofthemretainingtheirglossandeventheircolour，arescatteredoverthesurfaceoftheislandtonearitssummit。

WhethertheGoramgroupformedoriginallypartofNewGuineaorofCeramitisscarcelypossibletodetermine，anditsproductionswillthrowlittlelightuponthequestion，if，asI

suppose，theislandshavebeenentirelysubmergedwithintheepochofexistingspeciesofanimals，asinthatcaseitmustoweitspresentfaunaandfloratorecentimmigrationfromsurroundinglands；andwiththisviewitspovertyinspeciesverywellagrees。ItpossessesmuchincommonwithEastCeram，butatthesametimehasagooddealofresemblancetotheKeIslandsandBanda。Thefinepigeon，Carpophagaconcinna，inhabitsKe，Banda，11-Iatabello，andGoram，andisreplacedbyadistinctspecies，C。neglecta，inCeram。Theinsectsofthesefourislandshavealsoacommonfacies——factswhichseemtoindicatethatsomemoreextensivelandhasrecentlydisappearedfromtheareatheynowoccupy，andhassuppliedthemwithafewofitspeculiarproductions。

TheGorampeople(amongwhomIstayedamonth)arearaceoftraders。EveryyeartheyvisittheTenimber，Ke，andAruIslands，thewholenorth-westcoastofNewGuineafromOetanatatoSalwatty，andtheislandofWaigiouandMysol。TheyalsoextendtheirvoyagestoTidoreandTernate，aswellastoBandaandAmboyna，Theirprausareallmadebythatwonderfulraceofboatbuilders，theKe。islanders，whoannuallyturnoutsomehundredsofboats，largeandsmall，whichcanhardlybesurpassedforbeautyofformandgoodnessofworkmanship，Theytradechieflyintripang，themedicinalmussoibark，wildnutmegs，andtortoiseshell，whichtheyselltotheBugistradersatCeram-lautorAru，fewofthemcaringtotaketheirproductstoanyothermarket。Inotherrespectstheyarealazyrace，livingverypoorly，andmuchgiventoopiumsmoking。Theonlynativemanufacturesaresail-matting，coarsecottoncloth，andpandanus-

leafboxes，prettilystainedandornamentedwithshell-work。

IntheislandofGoram，onlyeightortenmileslong，thereareaboutadozenRajahs，scarcelybetteroffthantherestoftheinhabitants，andexercisingamerenominalsway，exceptwhenanyorderisreceivedfromtheDutchGovernment，when，beingbackedbyahigherpower，theyshowalittlemorestrictauthority。MyfriendtheRajahofAmmer(commonlycalledRajahofGoram)toldmethatafewyearsago，beforetheDutchhadinterferedintheaffairsoftheisland，thetradewasnotcarriedonsopeaceablyasatpresent，rivalprausoftenfightingwhenonthewaytothesamelocality，ortraffickinginthesamevillage。Nowsuchathingisneverthoughtof-oneofthegoodeffectsofthesuperintendenceofacivilizedgovernment。Disputesbetweenvillagesarestill，however，sometimessettledbyfighting，andI

onedaysawaboutfiftymen，carryinglonggunsandheavycartridge-belts，marchthroughthevillage。Theyhadcomefromtheothersideoftheislandonsomequestionoftrespassorboundary，andwerepreparedforwarifpeaceablenegotiationsshouldfail。

WhileatManowolkoIhadpurchasedfor100florins￡9。)asmallprau，whichwasbroughtoverthenextday，asIwasinformeditwasmoreeasytohavethenecessaryalterationsmadeinGoram，whereseveralKeworkmenweresettled。

AssoonaswebegangettingmypraureadyIwasobligedtogiveupcollecting，asIfoundthatunlessIwasconstantlyonthespotmyselfverylittleworkwouldbeclone。AsIproposedmakingsomelongvoyagesinthisboat，Ideterminedtofititupconveniently，andwasobligedtodoalltheinsideworkmyself，assistedbymytwoAmboyneseboys。Ihadplentyofvisitors，surprisedtoseeawhitemanatwork，andmuchastonishedatthenovelarrangementsIwasmakinginoneoftheirnativevessels。

LuckilyIhadafewtoolsofmyown，includingasmallsawandsomechisels，andthesewerenowseverelytried，cuttingandfittingheavyiron-woodplanksfortheflooringandthepoststhatsupportthetriangularmast。BeingofthebestLondonmake，theystoodtheworkwell，andwithoutthemitwouldhavebeenimpossibleformetohavefinishedmyboatwithhalftheneatness，orindoublethetime。IhadaKeworkmantoputinnewribs，forwhichIboughtnailsofaBugistrader，at8d。apound。

Mygimletswere，however，toosmall；andhavingnoaugerswewereobligedtoborealltheholeswithhotirons，amosttediousandunsatisfactoryoperation。

Fivemenhadengagedtoworkattheprautillfinished，andthengowithmetoMysol，Waigiou，andTernate。Theirideasofworkwere，however，verydifferentfrommine，andIhadimmensedifficultywiththem；seldommorethantwoorthreecomingtogether，andahundredexcusesbeinggivenforworkingonlyhalfadaywhentheydidcome。Yettheywereconstantlybeggingadvancesofmoney，sayingtheyhadnothingtoeat。WhenIgaveitthemtheyweresuretostayawaythenextday，andwhenIrefusedanyfurtheradvancessomeofthemdeclinedworkinganymore。Astheboatapproachedcompletionmydifficultieswiththemenincreased。Theuncleofonehadcommencedawar，orsortoffactionfight，andwantedhisassistance；another\'swifewasill，andwouldnotlethimcome；athirdhadfeverandague，andpainsinhisheadandback；andafourthhadaninexorablecreditorwhowouldnotlethimgooutofhissight。Theyhadallreceivedamonth\'swagesinadvance；andthoughtheamountwasnotlarge，itwasnecessarytomakethempayitback，orIshouldgetagomenata11。Ithereforesentthevillageconstableaftertwo，andkeptthemincustodyaday，whentheyreturnedaboutthree-

fourthsofwhattheyowedme。Thesickmanalsopaid，andthesteersmanfoundasubstitutewhowaswillingtotakehisdebt，andreceiveonlythebalanceofhiswages。

AboutthistimewehadastrikingproofofthedangersofNewGuineatrading。Sixmenarrivedatthevillageinasmallboatalmoststarved，havingescapedoutoftwopraus，theremainderofwhosecrews(fourteeninnumber)hadbeenmurderedbythenativesofNewGuinea。Thepraushadleftthisvillageafewmonthsbefore，andamongthemurderedmenweretheRajah\'sson，andtherelationorslavesofmanyoftheinhabitants。Thecryoflamentationthatarosewhenthenewsarrivedwasmostdistressing。Ascoreofwomen，whohadlosthusbands，brothers，sons，ormoredistantrelatives，setupatoncethemostdismalshrieksandgroansandwailings，whichcontinuedatintervalstilllateatnight；andasthechiefhousesinthevillagewerecrowdedtogetherroundthatwhichIoccupied，oursituationwasanythingbutagreeable。

Itseemsthatthevillagewheretheattacktookplace(nearlyoppositethesmallislandofLakahia)isknowntobedangerous，andthevesselshadonlygonethereafewdaysbeforetobuysometripang。Thecrewwerelivingonshore，theprausbeinginasmallrivercloseby，andtheywereattackedandmurderedintheday-timewhilebargainingwiththePapuans。Thesixmenwhosurvivedwereonboardthepraus，andescapedbyatoncesettingintothesmallboatandrowingouttosea。

Thissouth-westpartofNewGuinea，knowntothenativetradersas"PapuaKowiyee"and"PapuaOnen，"isinhabitedbythemosttreacherousandbloodthirstytribes。Itisinthesedistrictsthatthecommandersandportionsofthecrewsofmanyoftheearlydiscoveryshipsweremurdered，andscarcelyayearnowpassesbutsomelivesarelost。TheGoramandCeramtradersarethemselvesgenerallyinoffensive；theyarewellacquaintedwiththecharacterofthesenatives，andarenotlikelytoprovokeanattackbyanyinsultsoropenattemptatrobberyorimposition。

Theyareaccustomedtovisitthesameplaceseveryyear，andthenativescanhavenofearofthem，asmaybeallegedinexcusefortheirattacksonEuropeans。InotherextensivedistrictsinhabitedbythesamePapuanraces，suchasMysol，Salwatty，Waigiou，andsomepartsoftheadjacentcoast，thepeoplehavetakenthefirststepincivilization，owingprobablytothesettlementoftradersofmixedbreedamongthem，andformanyyearsnosuchattackshavetakenplace。Onthesouth-westcoast，andinthelargeislandofJobie，however，thenativesareinaverybarbarouscondition，andtaleeveryopportunityofrobberyandmurder，——ahabitwhichisconfirmedbytheimpunitytheyexperience，owingtothevastextentofwildmountainandforestcountryforbiddingallpursuitorattemptatpunishment。Intheverysamevillage，fouryearsbefore，morethanfiftyGorammenweremurdered；andasthesesavagesobtainanimmensebootyintheprausandalltheirappurtenances，itistobefearedthatsuchattackswillcontinuetobemadeatintervalsaslongastradersvisitthesamespotsandattemptnoretaliation。

Punishmentcouldonlybeinflictedonthesepeoplebyveryarbitrarymeasures，suchasbyobtainingpossessionofsomeofthechiefsbystratagem，andrenderingthemresponsibleforthecaptureofthemurderersattheperiloftheirownheads。ButanythingofthiskindwouldbedonecontrarytothesystemadoptedbytheDutchGovernmentinitsdealingswithnatives。

GORAMTOWAHAIINCERAM。

Whenmyboatwasatlengthlaunchedandloaded，Igotmymentogether，andactuallysetsailthenextday(May27th)，muchtotheastonishmentoftheGorampeople，towhomsuchpunctualitywasanovelty。Ihadacrewofthreemenandaboy，besidesmytwoAmboynalads；whichwassufficientforsailing，thoughrathertoofewifobligedtorowmuch。Thenextdaywasverywet，withsqualls，calms，andcontrarywinds，andwithsomedifficultywereachedKilwaru，themetropolisoftheBugistradersinthefarEast。AsIwantedtomakesomepurchases，Istayedheretwodays，andsenttwoofmyboxesofspecimensbyaMacassarprautobeforwardedtoTernate，thusrelievingmyselfofaconsiderableincumbrance。Iboughtknives，basins，andhandkerchiefsforbarter，whichwiththechoppers，cloth，andbeadsIhadbroughtwithme，madeaprettygoodassortment。Ialsoboughttwotowermusketstosatisfymycrew，whoinsistedonthenecessityofbeingarmedagainstattacksofpirates；andwithspicesandafewarticlesoffoodforthevoyagenearlymylastdoitwasexpended。

ThelittleislandofKilwaruisameresandbank，justlargeenoughtocontainasmallvillage，andsituatedbetweentheislandsofCeram-laut，andKissa——straitsaboutathirdofamilewideseparatingitfromeachofthem。Itissurroundedbycoralreefs，andoffersgoodanchorageinbothmonsoons。Thoughnotmorethanfiftyyardsacross，andnotelevatedmorethanthreeorfourfeetabovethehighesttides，ithaswellsofexcellentdrinkingwater——asingularphenomenon，whichwouldseemtoimplydeep-seatedsubterraneanchannelsconnectingitwithotherislands。Theseadvantages，withitssituationinthecentreofthePapuantradingdistrict，leadtoitsbeingsomuchfrequentedbytheBugistraders。HeretheGorammenbringtheproduceoftheirlittlevoyages，whichtheyexchangeforcloth，sagocakes，andopium；andtheinhabitantsofallthesurroundingislandsvisititwiththegameobject。ItistherendezvousofthepraustradingtovariouspartsofNewGuinea，whichhereassortanddrytheircargoes，andrefitforthevoyagehome。Tripangandmussoibarkarethemostbulkyarticlesofproducebroughthere，withwildnutmegs，tortoiseshell，pearls，andbirdsofParadise；insmallerquantities。ThevillagersofthemainlandofCerambringtheirsago，whichisthusdistributedtotheislandsfarthereast，whilericefromBaliandMacassarcanalsobepurchasedatamoderateprice。TheGorammencomeherefortheirsuppliesofopium，bothfortheirownconsumptionandforbarterinMysolandWaigiou，wheretheyhaveintroducedit，andwherethechiefsandwealthymenarepassionatelyfondofit。SchoonersfromBalicometobuyPapuanslaves，whilethesea-wanderingBugisarrivefromdistantSingaporeintheirlumberingpraus，bringingthencetheproduceoftheChinamen\'sworkshopsandKling\'sbazaar，aswellasoftheloomsofLancashireandMassachusetts。

OneoftheBugistraderswhohadarrivedafewdaysbeforefromMysol，broughtmenewsofmyassistantCharlesAllen，withwhomhewaswellacquainted，andwho，heassuredme；wasmakinglargecollectionsofbirdsandinsects，althoughhehadnotobtainedanybirdsofParadise；Silinta，wherehewasstaying，notbeingagoodplaceforthem。Thiswasonthewholesatisfactory，andI

wasanxioustoreachhimassoonaspossible。

LeavingKilwaruearlyinthemorningofJune1st，withastrongeastwindwedoubledthepointofCeramaboutnoon，theheavyseacausingmyprautorollabortagooddeal，tothedamageofourcrockery。Asbadweatherseemedcomingon，wegotinsidethereefsandanchoredoppositethevillageofWarns-warnstowaitforachange。

Thenightwasverysqually，andthoughinagoodharbourwerolledandjerkeduneasily；butinthemorningIhadgreatercauseforuneasinessinthediscoverythatourentireGoramcrewhaddecamped，takingwiththemalltheypossessedandalittlemore，andleavinguswithoutanysmallboatinwhichtoland。I

immediatelytoldmyAmboynamentoloadandfirethemusketsasasignalofdistress，whichwassoonansweredbythevillagechiefsendingoffaboat，whichtookmeonshore。Irequestedthatmessengersshouldbeimmediatelysenttotheneighbouringvillagesinquestofthefugitives，whichwaspromptlydone。Myprauwasbroughtintoasmallcreek，whereitcouldsecurelyrestinthemudatlowwater，andpartofahousewasgivenmeinwhichTcouldstayforawhile。Inowfoundmyprogressagainsuddenlychecked，justwhenIthoughtIhadovercomemychiefdifficulties。AsIhadtreatedmymenwiththegreatestkindness，andhadgiventhemalmosteverythingtheyhadaskedfor，IcanimputetheirrunningawayonlytotheirbeingtotallyunaccustomedtotherestraintofaEuropeanmaster，andtosomeundefineddreadofmyultimateintentionsregardingthem。Theoldestmanwasanopiumsmoker，andareputedthief，butIhadbeenobligedtotakehimatthelastmomentasasubstituteforanother。Ifeelsureitwashewhoinducedtheotherstorunaway，andastheyknewthecountrywell，andhadseveralhours\'

startofus，therewaslittlechanceofcatchingthem。

WewerehereinthegreatsagodistrictofEastCeramwhichsuppliesmostofthesurroundingislandswiththeirdailybread，andduringourweek\'sdelayIhadanopportunityofseeingthewholeprocessofmakingit，andobtainingsomeinterestingstatistics。Thesagotreeisapalm，thickerandlargerthanthecocoa-nuttree，althoughrarelysotall，andhavingimmensepinnatespinyleaves，whichcompletelycoverthetrunktillitismanyyearsold。Ithasacreepingroot-stemliketheNipapalm，andwhenabouttenorfifteenyearsofagesendsupanimmenseterminalspikeofflowers，afterwhichthetreedies。Itgrowsinswamps，orinswampyhollowsontherockyslopesofhills，whereitseemstothriveequallywellaswhenexposedtotheinfluxofsaltorbrackishwater。Themidribsoftheimmenseleavesformoneofthemostusefularticlesintheselands，supplyingtheplaceofbamboo，towhichformanypurposestheyaresuperior。

Theyaretwelveorfifteenfeetlong，and，whenveryfine，asthickinthelowerpartasaman\'sleg。Theyareverylight，consistingentirelyofafirmpithcoveredwithahardthinrindorbark。Entirehousesarebuiltofthese；theyformadmirableroofing-polesforthatch；splitandwell-supported，theydoforflooring；andwhenchosenofequalsize，andpeggedtogethersidebysidetofillupthepanelsofframedwoodenhorses，theyhaveaveryneatappearance，andmakebetterwallsandpartitionsthanboards，astheydonotshrink，requirenopaintorvarnish，andarenotaquartertheexpense。Whencarefullysplitandshavedsmooththeyareformedintolightboardswithpegsofthebarkitself，andarethefoundationoftheleaf-coveredboxesofGoram。Alltheinsect-boxesIusedintheMoluccaswerethusmadeatAmboyna，andwhencoveredwithstoutpaperinsideandout，arestrong，light，andsecuretheinsect-pinsremarkablywell。Theleafletofthesagofoldedandtiedsidebysideonthesmallermidribsformthe"atap"orthatchinuniversaluse，whiletheproductofthetrunkisthestaplefoodofsome=hundredthousandsofmen。

Whensagoistobemade，afull-growntreeisselectedjustbeforeitisgoingtoflower。Itiscutdownclosetotheground，theleavesandleafstalksclearedaway，andabroadstripofthebarktakenofftheuppersideofthetrunk。Thisexposesthepithymatter，whichisofarustycolournearthebottomofthetree，buthigheruppurewhite，aboutashardasadryapple，butwithwoodyfibrerunningthroughitaboutaquarterofaninchapart。Thispithiscutorbrokendownintoacoarsepowderbymeansofatoolconstructedforthepurpose——aclubofhardandheavywood，havingapieceofsharpquartzrockfirmlyimbeddedintoitsbluntend，andprojectingabouthalfaninch。Bysuccessiveblowsofthis，narrowstripsofthepitharecutaway，andfalldownintothecylinderformedbythebark。Proceedingsteadilyon，thewholetrunkisclearedout，leavingaskinnotmorethanhalfaninchinthickness。Thismaterialiscarriedaway(inbasketsmadeofthesheathingbasesoftheleaves)tothenearestwater，whereawashing-machineisputup，whichiscomposedalmostentirelyofthesagatreeitself。Thelargesheathingbasesoftheleavesformthetroughs，andthefibrouscoveringfromtheleaf-stalksoftheyoungcocoa-nutthestrainer。Waterispouredonthemassofpith，whichiskneadedandpressedagainstthestrainertillthestarchisalldissolvedandhaspassedthrough，whenthefibrousrefuseisthrownaway，andafreshbasketfulputinitsplace。Thewaterchargedwithsagostarchpassesontoatrough，withadepressioninthecentre，wherethesedimentisdeposited，thesurpluswatertricklingoffbyashallowoutlet。Whenthetroughisnearlyfull，themassofstarch，whichhasaslightreddishtinge，ismadeintocylindersofaboutthirtypounds\'weight，andneatlycoveredwithsagoleaves，andinthisstateissoldasrawsago。

Boiledwithwaterthisformsathickglutinousmass，witharatherastringenttaste，andiseatenwithsalt，limes，andchilies。Sago-breadismadeinlargequantities，bybakingitintocakesinasmallclayovencontainingsixoreightslitssidebyside，eachaboutthree-quartersofaninchwide，andsixoreightinchessquare。Therawsagoisbrokenup，driedinthesun，powdered，andfinelysifted。Theovenisheatedoveraclearfireofembers，andislightlyfilledwiththesago-powder。Theopeningsarethencoveredwithaflatpieceofsagobark，andinaboutfiveminutesthecakesareturnedoutsufficientlybaked。

Thehotcakesareverynicewithbutter，andwhenmadewiththeadditionofalittlesugarandgratedcocoa-nutarequiteadelicacy。Theyaresoft，andsomethinglikecorn-flourcakes，butleaveaslightcharacteristicflavourwhichislostintherefinedsagoweuseinthiscountry。Whennotwantedforimmediateuse，theyaredriedforseveraldaysinthesun，andtiedupinbundlesoftwenty。Theywillthenkeepforyears；theyareveryhard，andveryroughanddry，butthepeopleareusedtothemfrominfancy，andlittlechildrenmaybeseengnawingatthemascontentedlyasourswiththeirbread-and-butter。Ifdippedinwaterandthentoasted，theybecomealmostasgoodaswhenfreshbaked；andthustreatedtheyweremydailysubstituteforbreadwithmycoffee。Soakedandboiledtheymakeaverygoodpuddingorvegetable，andservedwelltoeconomizeourrice，whichissometimesdifficulttogetsofareast。

Itistrulyanextraordinarysighttowitnessawholetree-trunk，perhapstwentyfeetlongandfourorfiveincircumference，convertedintofoodwithsolittlelabourandpreparation。A

good-sizedtreewillproducethirtytomansorbundlesofthirtypoundseach，andeachtomanwillmakesixtycakesofthreetothepound。Twoofthesecakesareasmuchasamancaneatatonemeal，andfiveareconsideredafullday\'sallowance；sothat，reckoningatreetoproduce1，800cakes，weighing600pounds，itwillsupplyamanwithfoodforawholeyear。Thelabourtoproducethisisverymoderate。Twomenwillfinishatreeinfivedays，andtwowomenwillbakethewholeintocakesinfivedaysmore；buttherawsagowillkeepverywell，andcanbebakedaswanted，sothatwemayestimatethatintendaysamanmayproducefoodforthewholeyear。Thisisonthesuppositionthathepossessessagotreesofhisown，fortheyarenowallprivateproperty。Ifhedoesnot，hehastopayaboutsevenandsixpenceforone；andaslabourhereisfivepenceaday，thetotalcostofayear\'sfoodforonemanisabouttwelveshillings。Theeffectofthischeapnessoffoodisdecidedlyprejudicial，fortheinhabitantsofthesagocountriesareneversowelloffasthosewherericeiscultivated。Manyofthepeopleherehaveneithervegetablesnorfruit，butlivealmostentirelyonsagoandalittlefish。Havingfewoccupationsathome，theywanderaboutonpettytradingorfishingexpeditionstotheneighbouringislands；andasfarasthecomfortsoflifeareconcerned，aremuchinferiortothewildhill-DyaksofBorneo，ortomanyofthemorebarbaroustribesoftheArchipelago。

ThecountryroundWarus-warusislowandswampy，andowingtotheabsenceofcultivationtherewerescarcelyanypathsleadingintotheforest。Iwasthereforeunabletocollectmuchduringmyenforcedstay，andfoundnorarebirdsorinsectstoimprovemyopinionofCeramasacollectingground。Findingitquiteimpossibletogetmenheretoaccompanymeonthewholevoyage，I

wasobligedtobecontentwithacrewtotakemeasfarasWahai，onthemiddleofthenorthcoastofCeram，andthechiefDutchstationintheisland。Thejourneytookusfivedays，owingtocalmsandlightwinds，andnoincidentofanyinterestoccurredonit，nordidIobtainatourstoppingplacesasingleadditiontomycollectionsworthnaming。AtWahai，whichIreachedonthe15thofJune，IwashospitablyreceivedbytheCommandantandmyoldfriendHerrRosenberg，whowasnowonanofficialvisithere。

Helentmesomemoneytopaymymen，andIwasluckyenoughtoobtainthreeotherswillingtomakethevoyagewithmetoTernate，andonemorewhowastoreturnfromMysol。OneofmyAmboynalads，however，leftme，sothatIwasstillrathershortofhands。

IfoundherealetterfromCharlesAllen，whowasatSilintainMysol，anxiouslyexpectingme，ashewasoutofriceandothernecessaries，andwasshortofinsect-pins。Hewasalsoill，andifIdidnotsooncomewouldreturntoWahai。

AsmyvoyagefromthisplacetoWaigiouwasamongislandsinhabitedbythePapuanrace，andwasaneventfulanddisastrousone，IwillnarrateitschiefincidentsinaseparatechapterinthatdivisionofmyworkdevotedtothePapuanIslands。InowhavetopassoverayearspentinWaigiouandTimor，inordertodescribemyvisittotheislandofBouru，whichconcludedmyexplorationsoftheMoluccas。

CHAPTERXXVI。

BOURU。

MAYANDJUNE1861。

IHADlongwishedtovisitthelargeislandofBouru，whichliesduewestofCeram，andofwhichscarcelyanythingappearedtobeknowntonaturalists，exceptthatitcontainedababirusaverylikethatofCelebes。IthereforemadearrangementsforstayingtheretwomonthsafterleavingTimorDelliin1861。ThisIcouldconvenientlydobymeansoftheDutchmail-steamers，whichmakeamonthlyroundoftheMoluccas。

WearrivedattheharbourofCajelionthe4thofMay；agunwasfired，theCommandantofthefortcamealongsideinanativeboattoreceivethepost-packet，andtookmeandmybaggageonshore，thesteamergoingoffagainwithoutcomingtoananchor。WewenttothehorseoftheOpzeiner，oroverseer，anativeofAmboyna——

BourubeingtoopooraplacetodeserveevenanAssistantResident；yettheappearanceofthevillagewasveryfarsuperiortothatofDelli，whichpossesses"HisExcellencytheGovernor，"

andthelittlefort，inperfectorder，surroundedbyneatbrass-

plotsandstraightwalks，althoughmannedbyonlyadozenJavanesesoldierswithanAdjutantforcommander，wasaverySebastopolincomparisonwiththemiserablemudenclosureatDelli，withitsnumerousstaffofLieutenants，Captain，andMajor。Yetthis，aswellasmostofthefortsintheMoluccas，wasoriginallybuiltbythePortuguesethemselves。Oh！Lusitania，howartthoufallen！

WhiletheOpzeinerwasreadinghisletters，Itookawalkroundthevillagewithaguideinsearchofahorse。Thewholeplacewasdreadfullydampandmuddy，beingbuiltinaswampwithnotaspotofgroundraisedafootaboveit，andsurroundedbyswampsoneveryside。Thehousesweremostlywellbuilt，ofwoodenframeworkfilledinwithgaba-gaba(leaf-stemsofthesago-palm)，butastheyhadnowhitewash，andthefloorswereofbareblackearthliketheroads，andgenerallyonthesamelevel，theywereextremelydampandgloomy。AtlengthIfoundonewiththefloorraisedaboutafoot，andsucceededinmakingabargainwiththeownertoturnoutimmediately，sothatbynightIhadinstalledmyselfcomfortably。Thechairsandtableswereleftforme；andasthewholeoftheremainingfurnitureinthehouseconsistedofalittlecrockeryandafewclothes-boxes，itwasnotmuchtroublefortheownerstomoveintothehouseofsomerelatives，andthusobtainafewsilverrupeesveryeasily。Everyfootofgroundbetweenthehomesthroughoutthevillageiscrammedwithfruittrees，sothatthesunandairhavenochanceofpenetrating。Thismustbeverycoolandpleasantinthedryseason，butmakesitdampandunhealthyatothertimesoftheyear。UnfortunatelyIhadcometwomonthstoosoon，fortherainswerenotyetover，andmudandwaterweretheprominentfeaturesofthecountry。

Aboutamilebehindandtotheeastofthevillagethehillscommence，buttheyareverybarren，beingcoveredwithscantycoarsegrassandscatteredtreesoftheMelaleucacajuputi，fromtheleavesofwhichthecelebratedcajeputoilismade。Suchdistrictsareabsolutelydestituteofinterestforthezoologist。

Afewmilesfurtheronrosehighermountains，apparentlywellcoveredwithforest，buttheywereentirelyuninhabitedandtrackless，andpracticallyinaccessibletoatravellerwithlimitedtimeandmeans。Itbecameevident，therefore，thatImustleaveCajeliforsomebettercollectingground，andfindingamanwhowasgoingafewmileseastwardtoavillageonthecoastwherehesaidtherewerehillsandforest，IsentmyboyAliwithhimtoexploreandreportonthecapabilitiesofthedistrict。AtthesametimeIarrangedtogomyselfonalittleexcursionupariverwhichflowsintothebayaboutfivemilesnorthofthetown，toavillageoftheAlfuros，orindigenes，whereIthoughtImightperhapsfindagoodcollectingground。

TheRajahofCajeli，agood-temperedoldman，offeredtoaccompanyme，asthevillagewasunderhisgovernment；andwestartedonemorningearly，inalongnarrowboatwitheightrowers。Inabouttwohoursweenteredtheriver，andcommencedourinlandjourneyagainstaverypowerfulcurrent。Thestreamwasaboutahundredyardswide，andwasgenerallyborderedwithhighgrass，andoccasionallybushesandpalm-trees。Thecountryroundwasflatandmoreorlessswampy，withscatteredtreesandshrubs。Ateverybendwecrossedtherivertoavoidthestrengthofthecurrent，andarrivedatourlanding-placeaboutfouro\'clockinatorrentofrain。Herewewaitedforanhour，crouchingunderaleakymattilltheAlfurosarrivedwhohadbeensentforfromthevillagetocarrymybaggage，whenwesetoffalongapathofwhoseextrememuddinessIhadbeenwarnedbeforestarting。

Iturnedupmytrousersashighaspossible，graspedastoatsticktopreventawkwardfalls，andthenboldlyplungedintothefirstmud-hole，whichwasimmediatelysucceededbyanotherandanother。Themarlormudandwaterwasknee-deepwithlittleintervalsoffirmergroundbetween，makingprogressionexceedinglydifficult。Thepathwasborderedwithhighrigidgrass，brewingindenseclumpsseparatedbywater，sothatnothingwastobegainedbyleavingthebeatentrack，andwewereobligedtogoflounderingon，neverknowingwhereourfeetwouldrest，asthemudwasnowafewinches，nowtwofeetdeep，andthebottomveryuneven，sothatthefootsliddowntothelowestpart，andmadeitdifficulttokeepone\'sbalance。Onestepwouldbeuponaconcealedstickorlog，almostdislocatingtheankle，whilethenextwouldplungeintosoftmudabovetheknee。Itrainedalltheway，andthelonggrass，sixfeethigh，metoverthepath；sothatwecouldnotseeastepofthewayahead，andreceivedadoubledrenching。Beforewegottothevillageitwasdark，andwehadtocrossoverasmallbutdeepandswollenstreambyanarrowlogofwood，whichwasmorethanafootunderwater。Therewasaslendershakingstickforahandrail，anditwasnervousworkfeelinginthedarkintherushingwaterforasafeplaceonwhichtoplacetheadvancedfoot。Afterauhourofthismostdisagreeableandfatiguingwalkwereachedthevillage，followedbythemenwithourguns，ammunition，boxes，andbeddingallmoreorlesssoaked。Weconsoledourselveswithsomehotteaandcoldfowl，andwentearlytobed。

Thenextmorningwasclearandfine，andIsetoutsoonaftersunrisetoexploretheneighbourhood。Thevillagehadevidentlybeennewlyformed，andconsistedofasinglestraightstreetofverymiserablehutstotallydeficientineverycomfort，andasbareandcheerlessinsideasout。Itwassituatedonalittleelevatedpatchofcoarsegravellysoil，coveredwiththeusualhighrigidgrass，whichcameupclosetothebacksofthehouses。

Atashortdistanceinseveraldirectionswerepatchesofforest，butallonlowandswampyground。ImadeoneattemptalongtheonlypathIcouldfind，butsooncameuponadeepmud-hole，andfoundthatImustwalkbarefootifatall；soIreturnedanddeferredfurtherexplorationtillafterbreakfast。Ithenwentonintothejungleandfoundpatchesofsago-palmsandalowforestvegetation，butthepathswereeverywherefullofmud-holes，andintersectedbymuddystreamsandtractsofswamp，sothatwalkingwasnotpleasurable，andtoomuchattentiontoone\'sstepswasnotfavourabletoinsectcatching，whichrequiresaboveeverythingfreedomofmotion。Ishotafewbirds，andcaughtafewbutterflies，butallwerethesameasIhadalreadyobtainedaboutCajeli。

OnmyreturntothevillageIwastoldthatthesamekindofgroundextendedformanymilesineverydirection，andIatoncedecidedthatWayapowasnotasuitableplacetostayat。Thenextmorningearlywewadedbackagainthroughthemudandlongwetgrasstoourboat，andbymid-dayreachedCajeli，whereIwaitedAli\'sreturntodecideonmyfuturemovements。Hecamethefollowingday，andgaveaverybadaccountofPelah，wherehehadbeen。Therewasalittlebrushandtreesalongthebeach，andhillsinlandcoveredwithhighgrassandcajuputitrees——mydreadandabhorrence。Oninquiringwhocouldgivemetrustworthyinformation，IwasreferredtotheLieutenantoftheBurghers，whohadtravelledallroundtheisland，andwasaveryintelligentfellow。IaskedhimtotellmeifheknewofanypartofBouruwheretherewasno"kusu-kusu，"asthecoarsegrassofthecountryiscalled。Heassuredmethatagooddealofthesouthcoastwasforestland，whilealongthenorthwasalmostentirelyswampandgrassyhills。Afterminuteinquiries，IfoundthattheforestcountrycommencedataplacecalledWaypoti，onlyafewmilesbeyondPelah，butthat，asthecoastbeyondthatplacewasexposedtotheeastmonsoonanddangerousforpraus，itwasnecessarytowalk。IimmediatelywenttotheOpzeiner，andhecalledtheRajah。Wehadaconsultation，andarrangedforaboattotakemethenexteveningbutone，toPelah，whenceIwastoproceedonfoot，theOrang-kayagoingthedaybeforetocalltheAlfurostocarrymybaggage。

Thejourneywasmadeasarranged，andonMay19thwearrivedatWaypoti，havingwalkedabouttenmilesalongthebeach，andthroughstonyforestborderingthesea，withoccasionalplungesofamileortwointotheinterior。Wefoundnovillage，butscatteredhousesandplantations，withhillycountryprettywellcoveredwithforest，andlookingratherpromising。Alowhutwithaveryrottenroof，showingtheskythroughinseveralplaces，wastheonlyoneIcouldobtain。Luckilyitdidnotrainthatnight，andthenextdaywepulleddownsomeofthewallstorepairtheroof，whichwasofimmediateimportance，especiallyoverourbedsandtable。

Abouthalfamilefromthehousewasafinemountainstream，runningswiftlyoverabedofrocksandpebbles，andbeyondthiswasahillcoveredwithfineforest。BycarefullypickingmywayIcouldwadeacrossthisriverwithoutgettingmuchabovemyknees，althoughIwouldsometimesslipoffarockandgointoaholeuptomywaist，andabouttwiceaweekIwentacrossitinordertoexploretheforest。Unfortunatelytherewerenopathshereofanyextent，anditdidnotproveveryproductiveeitherininsectsorbirds。ToaddtomydifficultiesIhadstupidlyleftmyonlypairofstronghootsonboardthesteamer，andmyotherswerebythistimealldroppingtopieces，sothatIwasobligedtowalkaboutbarefooted，andinconstantfearofhurtingmyfeet，andcausingawoundwhichmightlaymeupforweeks，ashadhappenedinBorneo，Are，andDorey。Althoughtherewerenumerousplantationsofmaizeandplantains，therewerenonewclearings；andaswithouttheseitisalmostimpossibletofindmanyofthebestkindsofinsects，Ideterminedtomakeonemyself，andwithmuchdifficultyengagedtwomentoclearapatchofforest，fromwhichIhopedtoobtainmanyfinebeetlesbeforeIleft。

Duringthewholeofmystay，however，insectsneverbecameplentiful。Myclearingproducedmeafewfine，longicornsandBuprestidae，differentfromanyIhadbeforeseen，togetherwithseveraloftheAmboynaspecies，butbynomeanssonumerousor，sobeautifulasIhadfoundinthatsmallisland。Forexample，I

collectedonly210differentkindsofbeetlesduringmytwomonths\'stayatBourn，whileinthreeweeksatAmboyna，in1857，Ifoundmorethan300species：OneofthefinestinsectsfoundatBouruwasalargeCerambyx，ofadeepshiningchestnutcolour，andwithverylongantennae。Itvariedgreatlyinsize，thelargestspecimensbeingthreeincheslong，whilethesmallestwereonlyaninch，theantennavaryingfromoneandahalftofiveinches。

OnedaymyboyAlicamehomewithastoryofabigsnake。Hewaswalkingthroughsomehighgrass，andsteppedonsomethingwhichhetookforasmallfallentree，butitfeltcoldandyieldingtohisfeet，andfartotherightandlefttherewasawavingandrustlingoftheherbage。Hejumpedbackinaffrightandpreparedtoshoot，butcouldnotgetagoodviesofthecreature，anditpassedaway，hesaid，likeatreebeingdraggedalongthroughthegrass。Asheleadseveraltimesalreadyshotlargesnakes，whichhedeclaredwereallasnothingcomparedwiththis，Iaminclinedtobelieveitmustreallyhavebeenamonster。Suchcreaturesareratherplentifulhere，foramanlivingclosebyshowedmeonhisthighthemarkswherehebadbeenseizedbyoneclosetohishouse。Itwasbigenoughtotaketheman\'sthighinitsmouth，andhewouldprobablyhavebeenkilledanddevouredbyithadnothiscriesbroughtouthisneighbours，whodestroyeditwiththeirchoppers。AsfarasIcouldmakeoutitwasabouttwentyfeetlong，butAli\'swasprobablymuchlarger。

Itsometimesamusesmetoobservehow，afewdaysafterIhavetakenpossessionofit，anativehutseemsquiteacomfortablehome。MyhouseatWaypotiwasabareshed，withalargebambooplatformatoneside。Atoneendofthisplatform，whichwaselevatedaboutthreefeet，Ifixedupmymosquitocurtain，andpartlyencloseditwithalargeScotchplaid，makingacomfortablelittlesleepingapartment。Iputuparudetableonlegsburiedintheearthenfloor，andhadmycomfortablerattan-

chairforaseat。Alineacrossonecornercarriedmydaily-

washedcottonclothing，andonabambooshelfwasarrangedmysmallstockofcrockeryandhardware：Boxeswererangedagainstthethatchwalls，andhangingshelves，topreservemycollectionsfromantswhiledrying，weresuspendedbothwithoutandwithinthehouse。Onmytablelaybooks，penknives，scissors，pliers，andpins，withinsectandbirdlabels，allofwhichwereunsolvedmysteriestothenativemind。

Mostofthepeopleherehadneverseenapin，andthebetterinformedtookaprideinteachingtheirmoreignorantcompanionsthepeculiaritiesandusesofthatstrangeEuropeanproduction——aneedlewithahead，butnoeye！Evenpaper，whichwethrowawayhourlyasrubbish，wastothemacuriosity；andIoftensawthempickinguplittlescrapswhichhadbeensweptoutofthehouse，andcarefullyputtingthemawayintheirbetel-pouch。ThenwhenI

tookmymorningcoffeeandeveningtea，howmanywerethestrangethingsdisplayedtothem！Teapot，teacups，teaspoons，wereallmoreorlesscuriousintheireyes；tea，sugar，biscuit，andbutter，werearticlesofhumanconsumptionseenbymanyofthemforthefirsttime。Oneasksifthatwhitishpowderis"gulapassir"(sand-sugar)，socalledtodistinguishitfromthecoarselumppalm-sugarormolassesofnativemanufacture；andthebiscuitisconsideredasortofEuropeansago-cake，whichtheinhabitantsofthoseremoteregionsareobligedtouseintheabsenceofthegenuinearticle。Mypursuit，wereofcourseutterlybeyondtheircomprehension。TheycontinuallyaskedmewhatwhitepeopledidwiththebirdsandinsectsItoolssomuchcaretopreserve。IfIonlykeptwhatwasbeautiful，theymightperhapscomprehendit；buttoseeantsandfilesandsmalluglyinsectsputawaysocarefullywasagreatpuzzletothem，andtheywereconvincedthattheremustbesomemedicalormagicaluseforthemwhichIkeptaprofoundsecret。ThesepeoplewereinfactascompletelyunacquaintedwithcivilizedlifeastheIndiansoftheRockyMountains，orthesavagesofCentralAfrica——

yetasteamship，thathighesttriumphofhumaningenuity，withitslittlefloatingepitomeofEuropeancivilization，touchesmonthlyatCajeli，twentymilesoff；whileatAmboyna，onlysixtymilesdistant，aEuropeanpopulationandgovernmenthavebeenestablishedformorethanthreehundredyears。

HavingseenagoodmanyofthenativesofBourufromdifferentvillages，andfromdistantpartsoftheisland，Ifeelconvincedthattheyconsistoftwodistinctracesnowpartiallyamalgamated。ThelargerportionareMalaysoftheCelebestype，oftenexactlysimilartotheTomórepeopleofEastCelebes，whomIfoundsettledinBatchian；whileothersaltogetherresembletheAlfurosofCeram。

Theinfluxoftworacescaneasilybeaccountedfor。TheSulaIslands，whicharecloselyconnectedwithEastCelebes，approachtowithinfortymilesofthenorthcoastofBouru，whiletheislandofManipaoffersaneasypointofdepartureforthepeopleofCeram。IwasconfirmedinthisviewbyfindingthatthelanguagesofBourupossesseddistinctresemblancestothatofSula，aswellastothoseofCeram。

SoonafterwehadarrivedatWaypoti，AlihadseenabeautifullittlebirdofthegenusPitta，whichIwasveryanxioustoobtain，asinalmosteveryislandthespeciesaredifferent，andnonewereyetknownfromBourn。Heandmyotherhuntercontinuedtoseeittwoorthreetimesaweek，andtohearitspeculiarnotemuchoftener，butcouldnevergetaspecimen，owingtoitsalwaysfrequentingthemostdensethornythickets，whereonlyhastyglimpsesofitcouldbeobtained，andatsoshortadistancethatitwouldbedifficulttoavoidblowingthebirdtopieces。Aliwasverymuchannoyedthathecouldnotgetaspecimenofthisbird，ingoingafterwhichhehadalreadyseverely，woundedhisfeetwiththorns；andwhenwehadonlytwodaysmoretostay，hewentofhisownaccordoneeveningtosleepatalittlebutintheforestsomemilesoff，inordertohavealasttryforitatdaybreak，whenmanybirdscomeouttofeed，andareveryintentontheirmorningmeal。Thenexteveninghebroughtmehometwospecimens，onewiththeheadblowncompletelyoff，andotherwisetoomuchinjuredtopreserve，theotherinverygoodorder，andwhichIatoncesawtobeanewspecies，verylikethePittacelebensis，butornamentedwithasquarepatchofbrightredonthenapeoftheneck。

ThenextdayaftersecuringthisprizewereturnedtoCajeli，andpackingupmycollectionsleftBourubythesteamer。Duringourtwodays\'stayatTernate，ItookonboardwhatbaggageIhadleftthere，andbadeadieutoallmyfriends。WethencrossedovertoMenado，onourwaytoMacassarandJava，andIfinallyquittedtheMoluccas，amongwhoseluxuriantandbeautifulislandsIhadwanderedformorethanthreeyears。

MycollectionsinBouru，thoughnotextensive，wereofconsiderableinterest；foroutofsixty-sixspeciesofbirdswhichIcollectedthere，nolessthanseventeenwerenew，orhadnotbeenpreviouslyfoundinanyislandoftheMoluccas。Amongtheseweretwokingfishers，TanysipteraacisandCeyxCajeli；abeautifulsunbird，Nectarinesproserpina；ahandsomelittleblackandwhiteflycatcher，Monarchaloricata，whoseswellingthroatwasbeautifullyscaledwithmetallicblue；andseveraloflessinterest。Ialsoobtainedaskullofthebabirusa，onespecimenofwhichwaskilledbynativehuntersduringmyresidenceatCajeli。

CHAPTERXXVII。

THENATURALHISTORYOFTHEMOLUCCAS。

THEMoluccasconsistofthreelargeislands，Gilolo，Ceram，andBouru，thetwoformerbeingeachabouttwohundredmileslong；

andagreatnumberofsmallerislesandislets，themostimportantofwhichareBatchian，Morty，Obi，Ke，Timor-Laut，andAmboyna；andamongthesmallerones，Ternate，Tidore，Kaióa，andBanda。Theyoccupyaspaceoftendegreesoflatitudebyeightoflongitude，andtheyareconnectedbygroupsofsmallisletstoNewGuineaontheeast，thePhilippinesonthenorth，Celebesonthewest，andTimoronthesouth。Itwillbeaswelltobearinmindthesemainfeaturesofextentandgeographicalposition，whilewesurveytheiranimalproductionsanddiscusstheirrelationstothecountrieswhichsurroundthemoneverysideinalmostequalproximity。

WewillfirstconsidertheMammaliaorwarm-bloodedquadrupeds，whichpresentuswithsomesingularanomalies。Thelandmammalsareexceedinglyfewinnumber，onlytenbeingyetknownfromtheentiregroup。Thebatsoraerialmammals，ontheotherhand，arenumerous——notlessthantwenty-fivespeciesbeingalreadyknown。

ButeventhisexceedingpovertyofterrestrialmammalsdoesnotatallrepresenttherealpovertyoftheMoluccasinthisclassofanimals；for，asweshallsoonsee，thereisgoodreasontobelievethatseveralofthespecieshavebeenintroducedbyman，eitherpurposelyorbyaccident。

Theonlyquadrumanousanimalinthegroupisthecuriousbaboon-

monkey，Cynopithecusnigrescens，alreadydescribedasbeingoneofthecharacteristicanimalsofCelebes。ThisisfoundonlyintheislandofBatchian；anditseemssomuchoutofplacethereasitisdifficulttoimaginehowitcouldhavereachedtheislandbyanynaturalmeansofdispersal，andyetnothavepassedbythesamemeansoverthenarrowstraittoGilolo——thatitseemsmorelikelytohaveoriginatedfromsomeindividualswhichhadescapedfromconfinement，theseandsimilaranimalsbeingoftenkeptaspetsbytheMalays，andcarriedaboutintheirpraus。

OfallthecarnivorousanimalsoftheArchipelagotheonlyonefoundintheMoluccasistheViverratangalunga，whichinhabitsbothBatchianandBouru，andprobablycomeoftheotherislands。

Iaminclinedtothinkthatthisalsomayhavebeenintroducedaccidentally，foritisoftenmadecaptivebytheMalays，whoprocurecivetfromit，anditisananimalveryrestlessanduntameable，andthereforelikelytoescape。ThisviewisrenderedstillmoreprobablebywhatAntoniodeMorgatellsuswasthecustominthePhilippinesin1602。Hesaysthat"thenativesofMindanaocarryaboutcivet-catsincages，andsellthemintheislands；andtheytakethecivetfromthem，andletthemgoagain。"ThesamespeciesiscommoninthePhilippinesandinallthelargeislandsoftheIndo-Malayregion。

TheonlyMoluccanruminantisadeer，whichwasoncesupposedtobeadistinctspecies，butisnowgenerallyconsideredtobeaslightvarietyoftheRusahippelaphusofJava。Deerareoftentamedandpetted，andtheirfleshissomuchesteemedbyallMalays，thatitisverynaturaltheyshouldendeavourtointroducethemintotheremoteislandsinwhichtheysettled，andwhoseluxuriantforestsseemsowelladaptedfortheirsubsistence。

ThestrangebabirusaofCelebesisalsofoundinBouru；butinnootherMoluccanisland，anditissomewhatdifficulttoimaginehowitgotthere。ItistruethatthereissomeapproximationbetweenthebirdsoftheSulaIslands(wherethebabirusaisalsofound)andthoseofBouru，whichseemstoindicatethattheseislandshaverecentlybeenclosertogether，orthatsomeinterveninglandhasdisappeared。AtthistimethebabirusamayhaveenteredBouru，sinceitprobablyswimsaswellasitsalliesthepigs。ThesearespreadallovertheArchipelago，eventoseveralofthesmallerislands，andinmanycasesthespeciesarepeculiar。Itisevident，therefore，thattheyhavesomenaturalmeansofdispersal。Thereisapopularideathatpigscannotswim，butSirCharlesLyellhasshownthatthisisamistake。Inhis"PrinciplesofGeology"(10thEdit。vol。iip。355)headducesevidencetoshowthatpigshaveswummanymilesatsea，andareabletoswimwithgreateaseandswiftness。IhavemyselfseenawildpigswimmingacrossthearmoftheseathatseparatesSingaporefromthePeninsulaofMalacca，andwethushaveexplainedthecuriousfact，thatofallthelargemammalsoftheIndianregion，pigsaloneextendbeyondtheMoluccasandasfarasNewGuinea，althoughitissomewhatcuriousthattheyhavenotfoundtheirwaytoAustralia。

Thelittleshrew，Sorexmyosurus，whichiscommoninSumatra，Borneo，andJava，isalsofoundinthelargerislandsoftheMoluccas，towhichitmayhavebeenaccidentallyconveyedinnativepraus。

ThiscompletesthelistoftheplacentalmammalswhicharesocharacteristicoftheIndianregion；andweseethat，withthesingleexceptionofthepig，allmayveryprobablyhavebeenintroducedbyman，sinceallexceptthepigareofspeciesidenticalwiththosenowaboundinginthegreatMalayislands，orinCelebes。

ThefourremainingmammalsareMarsupials，anorderoftheclassMammalia，whichisverycharacteristicoftheAustralianfauna；

andtheseareprobablytruenativesoftheMoluccas，sincetheyareeitherofpeculiarspecies，oriffoundelsewherearenativesonlyofNewGuineaorNorthAustralia。Thefirstisthesmallflyingopossum，Belideusariel，abeautifullittleanimal，exactlylineasmallflyingsquirrelinappearance，butbelongingtothemarsupialorder。TheotherthreearespeciesofthecuriousgenusCuscus，whichispeculiartotheAustro-Malayanregion。Theseareopossum-likeanimals，withalongprehensiletail，ofwhichtheterminalhalfisgenerallybare。Theyhavesmallheads，largeeyes，andadensecoveringofwoollyfur，whichisoftenpurewhitewithirregularblackspotsorblotches，orsometimesashybrownwithorwithoutwhitespots。Theyliveintrees，feedingupontheleaves，ofwhichtheydevourlargequantities，theymoveaboutslowly，andaredifficulttokill，owingtothethicknessoftheirfur，andtheirtenacityoflife。

Aheavychargeofshotwilloftenlodgeintheslainanddothemnoharm，andevenbreakingthespineorpiercingthebrainwillnotkillthemforsomehours。Thenativeseverywhereeattheirflesh，andastheirmotionsaresoslow，easilycatchthembyclimbing；sothatitiswonderfultheyhavenotbeenexterminated。Itmaybe，however，thattheirdensewoollyfurprotectsthemfrombirdsofprey，andtheislandstheyliveinaretoothinlyinhabitedformantobeabletoexterminatethem。

ThefigurerepresentsCuscusornatus，anewspeciesdiscoveredbymeinBatchian，andwhichalsoinhabitsTernate。ItispeculiartotheMoluccas，whilethetwootherspecieswhichinhabitCeramarefoundalsoinNewGuineaandWaigiou。

InplaceoftheexcessivepovertyofmammalswhichcharacterisestheMoluccas，wehaveaveryrichdisplayofthefeatheredtribes。ThenumberofspeciesofbirdsatpresentknownfromthevariousislandsoftheMolluccangroupis265，butoftheseonly70belongtotheusuallyabundanttribesofthewadersandswimmers，indicatingthattheseareveryimperfectlyknown。Astheyarealsopre-eminentlywanderers，andarethuslittlefittedforillustratingthegeographicaldistributionoflifeinalimitedarea，wewillhereleavethemoutofconsiderationandconfineourattentiononlytothe195landbirds。

WhenweconsiderthatallEurope，withitsvariedclimateandvegetation，witheverymileofitssurfaceexplored，andwiththeimmenseextentoftemperateAsiaandAfrica，whichserveasstorehouses，fromwhichitiscontinuallyrecruited，onlysupports25lspeciesoflandbirdsasresidentsorregularimmigrants，wemustlookuponthenumbersalreadyprocuredinthesmallandcomparativelyunknownislandsoftheMoluccasasindicatingafaunaoffullyaveragerichnessinthisdepartment。

Butwhenwecometoexaminethefamilygroupswhichgotomakeupthisnumber，wefindthemostcuriousdeficienciesinsome，balancedbyequallystrikingredundancyinother。ThusifwecomparethebirdsoftheMoluccaswiththoseofIndia，asgiveninMr。Jerdon\'swork，wefindthatthethreegroupsoftheparrots，kingfishers，andpigeons，formnearly_one-third_ofthewholeland-birdsintheformer，whiletheyamounttoonly_one-

twentieth_inthelattercountry。Ontheotherhand，suchwide-

spreadgroupsasthethrushes，warblers，andfinches，whichinIndiaformnearly_one-third_ofalltheland-birds，dwindledownintheMoluccasto_one-fourteenth。_

Thereasonofthesepeculiaritiesappearstobe，thattheMoluccanfaunahasbeenalmostentirelyderivedfromthatofNewGuinea，inwhichcountrythesamedeficiencyandthesameluxurianceistobeobserved。Outoftheseventy-eightgenerainwhichtheMoluccanland-birdsmaybeclassed，nolessthanseventyarecharacteristicofYewGuinea，whileonlysixbelongspeciallytotheIndo-Malayislands。ButthiscloseresemblancetoNewGuineageneradoesnotextendtothespecies，fornolessthan140outofthe195land-birdsarepeculiartotheMoluccanislands，while32arefoundalsoinNewGuinea，and15intheIndo-Malayislands。Thesefactsteachus，thatthoughthebirdsofthisgrouphaveevidentlybeenderivedmainlyfromNewGuinea，yettheimmigrationhasnotbeenarecentone，sincetherehasbeentimeforthegreaterportionofthespeciestohavebecomechanged。Wefind，also，thatmanyverycharacteristicNewGuineaformslavenotenteredtheMoluccasatall，whileothersfoundinCeramandGilolodonotextendsofarwestasBouru。Considering，further，theabsenceofmostoftheNewGuineamammalsfromtheMoluccas，weareledtotheconclusionthattheseislandsarenotfragmentswhichhavebeenseparatedfromNewGuinea，butformadistinctinsularregion，whichhasbeenupheavedindependentlyataratherremoteepoch，andduringallthemutationsithasundergonehasbeenconstantlyreceivingimmigrantsfromthatgreatandproductiveisland。TheconsiderablelengthoftimetheMoluccashaveremainedisolatedisfurtherindicatedbytheoccurrenceoftwopeculiargeneraofbirds，SemiopteraandLycocorax，whicharefoundnowhereelse。