2S2 MUSICAL INSTEUMENTS. 



the state of manhood, and among* the females is 

 ahnost enth^ely confined to the old women. 



The fondness of these people for flowers and 

 strong--scented plants is remarkable^ — they wear 

 them in their hair^ thrust under the armlets and 

 g'irdle^ or as g'arlands round the neck. Among the 

 chief favourites may be mentioned an amaranth 

 with purple leaves^ giving* out a very rich colour 

 upon pressure being* applied^ and a species of mint- 

 like herb which they dry in bunches^ and carry 

 about with them. 



In addition to the drum formerly mentioned^ and 

 large shells — Cassis or Triton — with a hole at one 

 end^ used as trumpets^ we saw 

 a small Pandean pipe made of 

 portions of reed of different 

 lengths^ and a tube of bamboo^ 

 two feet long*^ which gives out a 

 sound Hke a horn when blown 

 into. 



The staple article of food is the yam^ which is 

 produced here in great abundance^ of large size^ 

 and excellent quality. Several other tubers^ or 

 roots^ are eaten. Among* them is that of a species of 

 Calladimn^ which requires much cooking to destroy 

 its acridity. The cocoa-nut tree grows everywhere. 

 In the canoes we saw abundance of sugar-cane in 

 pieces two feet in length and an inch in thickness^ 

 and the natives brought off to us bananas^ bread- 

 fruity mangoS; and prepared arrow-root. To a cer- 



