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CHAPTER XVIII. 



THE ADMIKALTY ISLANDS. 



History of Visits to the Island. Eagerness of the Natives for Iron. Trade 

 Gear. Trading with the Natives. Geological Structure of the 

 Islands. Orchids and Ferns overhanging the Sea. Fern resembling 

 a Liverwort. Difficulties iu Collecting Words of their Language 

 from the Natives. Their Methods of Counting. Curious Mode of 

 Expressing Negation. Physical Characteristics of the Natives. 

 Hairiness of Races Compared. Possible Signification of Moles. 

 Clothes, Hair Dressing and Ornaments of the Natives. Tattooing 

 and Painting. Betel-Chewing and Food. Houses, Temples, and 

 Canoes of the Natives. Their Implements and Weapons. Artistic 

 Skill of the Natives. Their Musical Instruments, Dancing and 

 Singing. Their Polygamy. Fortification of their Villages. Wooden 

 Gods. Skulls and Hair in their Temples. Their Religion. Dis- 

 position of the Natives. Their Fear of Goats and Toys. Population 

 of the Islands. Domestic Animals, Birds and other Animals at the 

 Islands. Habits of Gar-Fish. 



The Admiralty Islands, March 3rd to lOth, 18*5. — The Ad- 

 miralty Islands were sighted on the afternoon of March 3rd. 

 As we sailed along the north coast of the main island, a Sword- 

 fish was seen showing its fins above water. It moved rapidly 

 with a darting motion but sinuous course. It was apparently 

 about five feet long. The fins showed above water, very dif- 

 ferently from those of any other fish. The broad dorsal fin 

 projected from the water in front, and the upper sickle-shaped 

 half of the tail fin projected at an interval behind, and seemed 

 as the fish moved to be chasing the fin in front. The fish was 

 seen to leap out of the water several times. It was probably a 

 species of Istiophorus. 



The Admiralty Islands are a group, consisting of one large 

 island and numerous small ones. The group lies between 

 latitudes 1° 58' S. and 3° 10' S, and longitudes 146° E. and 



