Chap, XV.] KE ISLANDERS. 327 



separated by ridges and projections of stalactite-like substance, 

 which lines also the pools themselves. Similar deposits in 

 tropical streams have been observed elsewhere, as in Roaring 

 River, Jamaica.* 



It was elicited by Captain Tizard, from the Malays at 

 Dobbo, that a deer abounds in the northernmost of the Aru 

 Islands ; no doubt it is of the same species as the deer of 

 Amboina {Riisa vwliiccensis) : I was shown the horns. It must 

 have been introduced either by the Malays or Dutch. 



The Chinese dealers in Manchester and Birmingham goods 

 and arrack at Dobbo, used cajuput oil as a preservative for 

 their Birds of Paradise skins, to keep off ants and other insects. 



Books referring to the Aru Islands. "Discoveries in Australia," also 

 "An Account of Capt. Owen Stanley's Visit to the Islands of the Arafura 

 Sea," by J. Lort. Stokes, Commander, R.N., Vol. II., p. ^^^. London, 

 Boone, 1846. 



" Voyage of the Dutch Brig ' Dourga.' " Trans, by W. Earle. Madden 

 & Co., London, 1840. 



A. R. Wallace, F.R.S., etc., " The Malay Archipelago." 



The Ke Islands, September 24th and 25th, 1874.— We 



crossed over from the Aru Islands to the Ke Islands, taking 

 a day on the passage, and dredging and sounding between the 

 two groups, finding a depth of 300 fathoms. Whilst we were 

 off the coast of Great Ke Island several boats full of natives 

 put off to the ship. The boats were described by Wallace. 

 They are shaped like whale boats, and are fastened together 

 with rattans. 



The crews used paddles with long blades pointed at the 

 ends and cross handles. They paddled in time with a chanted 

 cadence identical with one used by the Fijians in their dances, 

 " e ai 6 turn turn." At intervals the sound rose loud from the 

 approaching boats as it was taken up in chorus. 



The chant was accompanied by a drum with a tense mem- 

 brane, on which two sounds were made by striking it slightly 

 with the tips of the fingers or more violently with the palm 

 of the hand, the sound reminding one that one was getting, 

 in one's travels, nearer towards India. 



The men, a boat-load of whom came on board, were like 

 the Aru Islanders, but mostly, I thought, stronger built. They 

 wore their hair long and loose, and had no ornaments. Most 

 of them wore only an apron of cloth. All of them were in the 

 most horrible state of skin disease, their skins being in a rough 

 scurfy condition in many cases all over the body. I have not 

 seen elsewhere such bad cases of vegetable itch. The disease 



* Sir H. T. de la Beche, F.R.S. "The Geological Observer," p. 13, 

 2nd Ed. London, Longman, 1853. 



