66 PYGMIES AND PAPUANS 



week the rice was replaced by kachang ijau, a small 

 round green bean, which is supposed to be of use in 

 preventing the onset of beri-beri, though it is very 

 doubtful whether this is the case ; the beans are 

 boiled and are eaten either with salt or with brown 

 Javanese sugar. A full ration for a coolie also includes 

 tea, coffee, salt and chillies. When it is remembered 

 that the numbers of the expedition were never less than 

 one hundred and twenty and were often more than 

 one hundred and sixtj^ and since it was con- 

 sidered advisable always to have a supply for several 

 months in advance in the eventuality of communica- 

 tion with Amboina becoming impossible, it can be 

 imagined that the amount of stores necessary for the 

 whole party was no small thing. The management 

 of the stores of Cramer's party alone, of which 

 every detail had to be accounted for to the Govern- 

 ment, occupied the full time of a Dutch sergeant and a 

 native clerk. 



Not only was a great deal of labour involved in 

 dealing with such an immense bulk of stores, but there 

 was considerable difficulty in preserving them from 

 the ill effects of the climate. Our first consignment of 

 rice arrived in sacks, and the futility of that method 

 of packing was apparent, when a great quantity of it 

 was spoilt by a shower of rain between the steamer and 

 the base-camp. The next lot was packed in tins with 

 lids ; when these were turned upside down the rice 

 trickled out or water trickled in, and again a large 

 quantity was lost or spoilt. After that it was put into 

 tins of which the tops were soldered down, but even 



