OF LA PEROUSE. 227 



two by two, and tapered, the upper ones being 

 much longer than the others. See Platr XXXJX. 

 in which this bird is reprcfented nearly of the 

 natural fize. 



We had now proceeded upwards of two kilo- 

 meters, when we arrived at a villagx confifting 

 of a fmall number of huts fufficiently diftant 

 from each other to prevent the communication 

 of fire, if unfortunately any of them happen to 

 becomiC the prey of the flames. Two of thefc 

 had been recently burnt. We here faw fome 

 women preparing their meat; they were drcfling 

 the bark of trees and various roots, am.ong which 

 I diftinguifhed thofe of the hypoxis, of which I 

 have already fpoken. Thefc dilferent articles 

 were placed without water in a large earthen 

 pot fupported over the fire by three big flrones, 

 which ferved as a trivet. Quite cloic to the 

 entrance of one of thefc huts was a pile of hu- 

 man bones, on wliich we obferved very recent 

 marks of fire. 



It was probably an inhabitant of this hamlet 

 who had ftolcn Bonvouloir's fabre, which I have 

 before mentioned, for we found its fcabb.ird 

 and belt fufpend jd as a fort of trophy above one 

 of their grave.-. 



On leaving this village, we follov, ed a path 

 which led to tb-c fouth-eafl, and we foon faw 

 ibmc Indian kale ruyam ej'ailcniuui) planted in 



u^2 ' the 



