THE ANDAMANESE 25 



socket. These arrows are used in shooting pig, and of course 

 much impede the escape of any animal, by the shaft disengaging 

 from the head and catching in the undergrowth of the jungle. 

 The bows were constructed of white wood, and handled with 

 the recurved end downward. 



The foreheads of some of the women were daubed with white 

 clay, and one, in addition to a quantity of coral ornaments, wore 

 suspended from her neck a human skull daubed with red earth. 

 This, however, is not, as was long supposed, a sign of conjugal 

 mourning, for any of the relatives or intimate friends of a deceased 

 person are qualified to wear his disinterred bones, and the skull 

 often passes round amongst a considerable number of people. 



We were agreeably surprised at the appearance of the 

 natives, as they were clean, pleasant-looking, and merry, 

 apparently somewhat childish in disposition, and much given 

 to chatter and laughter. 



On leaving, we flung a number of small coins amongst them, 

 and these were scrambled for with great noise and excitement. 



The Homes are occupied from time to time only by the 

 natives, who are allowed to go and come as they please, and 

 while dwelling in them are supplied with provisions. Love of 

 the jungle, and the life to which they are born, is so deeply 

 rooted in the aborigines, that although they occupy the sheds 

 intermittently for varying periods, few have been found who 

 are sufficiently attracted by the neighbouring civilisation to 

 become permanent residents. 



As we proceeded up the harbour we caught a glimpse, at 

 the head of Navy Bay, of the tea gardens which have for some 

 time been established there. The product is very coarse and 

 strong, and finds favour with the European troops in India, 

 and with the Madras Army. 



Lastly we came to Viper Island, which has been not in- 

 appropriately christened " Hell," for in Viper Jail are kept the 

 very worst of the prisoners in the Settlement, and it must 

 not be forgotten that here are collected the scum of the whole 

 immense Indian Empire and of Burma as well. No one is 



