9 



indicate a Papuan origin, or previous connection of races in all the 

 islands in which the custom exists. Each class had its own particular 

 share of the land and of the cocoa-nut trees. Members of either were 

 not permitted to intermarry, the rule being that the male of one class 

 must marry a female of the other ; and it was curious that in the event 

 of death all property and children passed to the mother's class. Mr. 

 Brown then exhibited some specimens oi true chalk from New Ireland. 

 These were interesting, because no chalk is found on the islands, but 

 blocks of it are said to be thrown up occasionally on the shores by 

 earthquakes and tidal waves. It was a very remarkable circumstance 

 that the natives though accustomed to nothing but nudity, carved out of 

 these blocks, or masses, figures clothed in a fashion somewhat similar 

 to that of the Elizabethan age and suggestive, therefore, of a probable 

 visit by Spanish explorers at that period. The tribe that carved these 

 figures was an inland one. 



Some remarks were then made on the geographical distribution of 

 the Fauna, more especially as regards the Marsupials found on New 

 Britain and New Ireland. The Cuscus was found in abundance on New 

 Ireland, the most distant island from New Guinea, but was not found on 

 New Britain. The Wallaby, which is described and named by Mr. 

 Eamsay in the Proceedings already referred to, was found on New 

 Ireland alone, but it was possible it might exist on New Britain, though 

 no specimens were obtained from that locality. The only Marsupial 

 found on New Britain was a small Flying Squirrel. A new Perameles 

 (Bandicoot) was found on the Duke of York Island. 



The curious custom of " Duk Duk " was explained. For this the 

 natives gathered together in a large ring, within which two chiefs 

 accompanied by a native fantastically dressed to represent a Cassowary 

 took their stand. Suddenly from the bush another native, dressed 

 like a Cassowary, would break into the ring, and, brandishing a spear, 

 rush in a menacing manner towards the chiefs. After threatening 

 them for some time, he would suddenly stop, and stooping down, 

 present his back to them. Then one of the chiefs or their companion 

 would take a strong cane and strike him a very severe blow (occa- 

 sionally twice) with it across the shoulders. Having received the 

 blow, the man would leave the circle and others would take his place 

 and go through the same ceremony. 



Another peculiar rite was that in which the elders of the tribe took 

 the youths before they were admitted to manhood into the bush 

 where they fed them for some weeks solely on shark's flesh, turtle, 

 and pork. On their return to the tribe they never afterwards, during 

 their entire life tasted any one of these articles of food. 



Mr. Brown then alluded to certain strange reports which had 

 reached him of a race of men possessed of tails who were said to live 

 in the interior of New Britian. These reports were almost incredible, 

 yet they came from so many sources, and were so explicit in their 

 descriptions, that at last he (Mr. Brown) organised a party and started 

 for the locality where the tails were said to flourish. Most unfortunately 

 soon after starting one of the party, a sailor, got access to a bottle of 

 gin and thus was the cause of an accident of such a serious character, 

 that the party had to return to the ship with the wounded man, and 

 circumstances then prevented a renewal of the expedition. 



Mr. M. Allport, after mo\-ing a vote of thanks to the Rev. W. 

 W. Spicer, and to the donors of presentations, proposed that a special 

 vote should be accorded to the Kev. G. Brown for his highly in- 

 teresting and instructive address. 



The Bishop of Tasmania said it was scarcely necessary for him to 

 put this vote to the meeting as he was sure it would be carried by 



