330 PYGMIES AND PAPUANS 



another man. In Angadi several compound words end 

 in nata, which thus appears to be a noun, na (thing ?), 

 with the possessive suffix ; and it seems possible to 

 explain such words as itta-nata, firewood ; kara nata, 

 head of javelin — i.e. fire-thing-of, javelin-thing-of. Cf. 

 also nata pairi given by v. d. Sande for " skin," with 

 Mimika p'lg'ni, skin, which suggests that nata pairi means 

 skin of something. 



h. The adjective follows the noun. Utanata warari 

 napetike, water big, river. 



c. A noun in the genitive relation precedes its sub- 

 stantive. Mimika ban mame, leg's eye, ankle ; iwait 

 makarc, belly's band. Angadi mahare hehe, finger nail ; 

 mail hehe, toe nail ; mirimoi ipa, nose hole, nostril ; ihani 

 ipa, hole in ear lobe ; amore erne, bow's rattan, bowstring. 



d. The subject precedes the verb. Angadi jau hinau- 

 mara, sun rises (?), morning; jali emapojemia, sun sets (?), 

 evening. 



e. The object also precedes the verb. Angadi ihani 

 aimeri, ear pierce ; mirimoi aimer i, nose pierce. 



These five points indicate a Papuan structure of the 

 languages. 



6. Comparison with Meraiihe and the Languages of British 

 New Guinea West of the Fly River. 



The Papuan languages usually show so few agree- 

 ments in vocabulary that the likeness of words, unless 

 frequent, cannot be held to establish relationship. In 

 the comparative vocabulary, words and numerals are 

 added from the languages on British Territory.* These 

 show a few likenesses, which may, however, be acci- 

 dental. 



* Those quoted are : Dmigenvah (or Pari) on Wai Kasa R., Bavgti, Morehcad 

 River ; Btigi, Mai Kasa River, Dabu, Paho R., Mowata, mouth of Binaturi R., 

 Saibai Is. in Western Torres Straits, Miriam. Murray Is. Torres Straits, Knvivi and 

 Jihti West shore of Fly Delta, Kiivai Is. in Flv Delta. 



