l6 The Irish Naturalist. f January, 



Mr. Henry j. Sevmoi'k showed a imnibcr otj^old specks obtained In- 

 washing alluvial sands in Co. Wicklo^v. One of the samples examined, 

 a few ounces in weight, yielded about 15 specks ot gold. The second 

 sample was not so auriferous, but the specks were considerably larger. 



Bei,fast Naturalists' Firi.d Club. 



NovRMBRR i^^. — Mr. F. J. Bigger, M.R.I. A , occupied the chair. A 

 discussion took place with reference to scientific and other objects 

 exhibited, including some excellent bronze implemetits lately added to 

 Mr. Milligan*s collection from Lough Erne, &c. After the election of 

 some new members, Prof A. C. Haddon delivered a very interesting 

 lecture on " Our Papuan P'ellow-subjects at Work and Play," which was 

 a descriptive account from personal observation of a stage of culture 

 such as no doubt prevailed in Ireland before the introduction of 

 Christianity. The lecturer dealt with the work of men and women and 

 the games of children, as well as the physical features of the country 

 and the towns and villages, including Port Moresby, the capital of British 

 New Guinea. The manufacture of native pottery by women was ver}- 

 fully illustrated. This is altogether hand-made without a wheel, the 

 result being very similar to the remains of ancient pottery dug from 

 Irish graves and sand-dune settlements, such as we have in our Gramger 

 collection. The lecturer also illustrated and described the making of 

 native canoes from logs of wood, dug out with stone implements and the 

 action of fire, such as was probably the origin of the dug-out boats in the 

 Benn collection of the Natural Histor}' Museum, Belfast. Onr 

 crannoges, or artificial islands, so common in Irish lakes, were illustrated 

 by the native pile dwellings that occur along the coasts at Bulaa and 

 elsewhere. The construction of these villages was described in an 

 interesting manner, and demonstrated the correctness of the accepted 

 theories as to the origin of our ancient Irish crannoges. The process of 

 making fire by the friction of pieces of wood was shown, and the method 

 of tattooing as practisedjby the women. A number of games of Motee 

 children were illustrated, such as cat's cradle, leapfrog, tug-of-war, and 

 several that have no British equivalents. The natives of these distant 

 islands attribute to supernatural agency or to the mighty deeds of their 

 legendary heroes all special natural features in the landscape, such as 

 rocks, mountains, etc., and the legends are carefully preserved and 

 recited, as is common in Ireland still in remote places. Native shrines 

 were shown, which are erected to secure success in fishing and cultiva- 

 tion of crops of fruit. At these shrines the natives' offerings are typically 

 represented : for example, a basket of fruit is represented by a large 

 shell holding a few stones. As in Ireland, upright stones of memorial 

 frequently occur. Mr. Bigger, chairman, Messrs. Wright, Gray, and 

 Patterson, discussed the merits of the lecture, referring to its many 

 subjects of comparison with Irish customs in ancient times, and, on the 

 motion of Mr. Wright, F.G.S., a very cordial vote of thanks was passed 

 to Professor Haddon. 



