XIV.] THE CLOVE TRADE. 329 



The clove is now no longer a monopoly of the island as in 

 old days. The trade appears to be growing less from year to year, 

 and the official return for 1884 shows an export of 2158 kilos only. 

 This, however, it should be said, is the private trade only. That of 

 the Government is not specified in the official publication. Java 

 grows a considerable quantity of this spice, and 4495 kilos of the 

 14,637 exported by private indi\aduals from the entire Netherlands 

 India come from that island. The tree was not only cultivated 

 upon Amboina, but also upon the three islands, Saparua, Nusa, and 

 Haruku, in its immediate vicinity. Xow the chief form in which 

 the ordinary traveller is brought into contact with the article is in 

 the shape of toy-ships whose huU, masts, and rigging are entu^ely 

 composed of the little dried black buds. These curiosities, which, 

 as may be imagined, are more peculiar than beautiful, are brought 

 on board every ship that anchors in the port, and find purchasers 

 in the fo'c'sle, for Jack would think his list incomplete without 

 one of these and a few of the wonderful shells with which the 

 praus that come alongside are laden. Amboina shells, or rather 

 the shells sold in Amboina — for they are gathered from the sur- 

 rounding islands far and near — have been celebrated for the last 

 two centuries, and most of those to be seen on the praus wdiicli 

 tempt the P. and 0. passenger at Singapore have passed through 

 the hands of Ambonese fishermen. 



We remained nearly a week in the harbour, glad of rest and 

 fresh vegetables, for we had not had much of either in Xew Guinea. 

 Just beyond the town the inlet contracts suddenly, and then, 

 widening out, forms a second or inner harboiu-, which is not much 

 used by shipping. Here are the " sea-gardens " described by Mr. 

 Wallace — " the bottom being absolutely hidden by a continuous 

 series of corals, sponges, actiniic, and other marine productions 

 of magnificent dimensions, varied forms, and brilliant colours." 

 Other writers have given glowing accounts of the same spot, 

 and the impression conveyed to the reader is that at Amboina alone 

 can be seen the submarine fairyland which they describe, but of 



