424 PROCEEDINGS OF SECTION E. 



clusters, the aspect of the landscape is transformed to one of 

 loveliness. Cape Nelson is chieHy noted for numerous inden- 

 tations, forming very picturesque harbours of refuge for 

 coastal vessels. These occupy the whole perimeter of the 

 cape, and are sejiarated one from the other by long narrow 

 tongues of land, with the central ridges of moderate elevation. 

 In the neighbourhood of these picturescpie havens the country 

 is thickly inhabited by people, who utilise the fringing reef 

 for fishing purposes and cultivate the soil profitably. It is 

 oyer this part of the possession that the Anglican mission's 

 influence is now being extended ; its territorial limits embrace 

 the whole of the country between the Anglo-German boun- 

 dary and Cape Ducie, where the Wesleyans join issue. 



It is only natural to expect that over such an extensive 

 coast line the variations in the general characteristics of the 

 native inhabitants should to some extent be correspondingly 

 great. In many places where no previous intercourse with 

 Europeans had been held the people were friendly and con- 

 fident, but outside those virgin fields shyness and distrustful- 

 ness were rampant. Some of the men wore false whiskers 

 from ear to ear, their hair assuming the form of great mops 

 and matted ringlets. Their ears were embellished with 

 rings of various shapes, and their heads were decorated with 

 feathers, shells, and fibres. It was somewhat remarkable 

 that in the more westerly tribes a corset of network was worn 

 by the women, while to the east of these the nakedness of the 

 men was concealed by a similar garment. Of iron and other 

 European articles of merchandise most of the coastal tribes 

 knew nothing, nor were persistent practical demonstrations 

 of their utility sufficient to induce them to view with favour 

 what other neighbouring tribes would not hesitate to possess 

 themselves of by murder, rapine, and plunder. In design 

 and structure the dwelling-houses are similar over the whole 

 of this region ; their capacity is no larger than the immediate 

 wants of each family require, and for domestic purposes they 

 are inferior. An interesting feature was discovered in the 

 neighbourhood of Cape Sebiribiri, consisting of a natural 

 stronghold of probably 80 feet in height, composed of two 

 huge masses of coral, with perpendicular faces. The cul- 

 minating parts of these were occupied by several houses, to 

 which access was obtained by wooden ladders. The eastern 

 portion of this part of the possession witnessed the enactment 

 of one of the most horrible tragedies ever ])erpetrated within 

 the district. This occurred in Chad's Bay a few years ago, 



