614 PROCEEDINGS OP SECTION G. 



both omens proved true ! I found it iiiipossihle to shake the 

 faith of my otherwise very iiitelh'i^ent native friend. I may 

 add that Mamae, who nt baptism i-eeeived the name Sadaraka, 

 was grandson of tlie poet Koi-oa, many of whose songs are 

 given in my " Myths and Songs from the South Pacific. 



3.— NEW BRITAIN AND ITS PEOPLE. 



By EEV. B. DANK8. 



1 . — TIlc Coun try . 



The group of islands formerly known as the New Britain 

 Archipelago, but now the Bismarck Archij^elago, lie about 

 four degrees south of the line, and consist of two large and 

 a number of small islands. New Britain is 300 miles long, 

 and has an average width of about 50. New Ireland is 

 about 200 miles long, and has an average width of about 12. 

 These two islands are separated by about 40 miles of water, 

 called St. George's Channel. The most iini)ortant of the 

 small islands is the Duke of York Group, which lie midway 

 between the two large islands. 



New Ireland seems to be much older, geologically, than 

 New Britain, or at least of that portion of New Britain with 

 which we are most intimately acquainted. Chalk is found 

 there in large blocks, out of which the natives carve images. 

 This has not been found in New Britain so far as we know. 

 The shores of New Ireland are strewn with w^aterworn 

 boulders and stones for many miles, while brooks and rivulets 

 are to be found every few^ yards. The Duke of York Group 

 partakes largely of the geological character of New Ireland, 

 but bears many signs of volcanic action in caves, vent-holes, 

 and many other signs. The channel dividing the islands is 

 deep, and frequently very stormy. Strong currents frequently 

 run in at the rate of about five miles an hour, and it is fre- 

 quently very difficult for sailing vessels to get through it. 



The soil of New Britain is mostly scoria. Volcanic cones, 

 extinct craters, and other signs proclaim New Britain to 

 be of volcanic origin. During the 16 years of our mission 

 history an eruption took ))lace, a new volcano being formed, 

 and a new island thrown up in Blanche Bay. Earthquakes 

 are frequent, and often severe. Rivers are fsAv and far 

 between. Tlie soil is so jiorous that the heavy tropical rain 

 is quickly absorbed, comparatively little of it reaching the 



