438 A NATURALIST ON THE "CHALLENGER." 



canoes on one side of the vessel there were 148 natives, or 

 abont an average of three to a canoe. In all, therefore, there 

 must have been 200 natives. 



From time to time the shout which was heard the night 

 before was raised. When heard close by, it is found to com- 

 mence with a short quick " Wah Wah oh 5h oh." Some few 

 natives had perforated Conch shells, both a Triton, and a large 

 conical Strombus perforated at the apex of the spire, not on the 

 side of one of the upper whorls, as in the case of the Triton. 

 These shells they blew, making a booming sound which mingled 

 with the shouts. 



The natives evidently prize these trumpet-shells highly, and 

 would not part with them, perhaps from the same motives that 

 prevent them parting with their flutes, as described by the 

 officers of the " Etna."* 



Many of the natives made a sign of drinking, and pointed to 

 a part of the Bay where water was to be procured, evidently 

 thinking that the ship required water. This shows that they 

 are more or less accustomed to ships watering here, and the 

 fact that the utmost endeavours failed to induce any of the 

 natives to come on board the ship, and their extreme caution in 

 their first approach, seemed to show that they must have been 

 frightened or maltreated in some way by recent visitors to the 

 Bay. When the Dutch vessel of war, " Etna," came into the 

 harbour in 1858, the natives clambered on board before the 

 cable was out. 



As soon as the ship anchored again, the natives crowded 

 round the ship, and barter recommenced most briskly, being 

 carried on through the main deck ports, the natives passing up 

 their weapons and ornaments stuck between the points of 

 their four-pronged spears, and receiving the price in the same 

 manner. 



The constant cry of the natives was "sigor sigor," often re- 

 peated (sigor sigor, slowly, sigor sigor sig5r, quickly). " Sigor " 

 was found to mean iron ; this and " soth," which means more, 

 were the only words of the language gathered. Iron tub-hoop, 

 broken into six or eight-inch lengths, was the commonest article 

 * "Neu Guinea und seine Bewohner." Otto Finsch, S. 144. 



