CICATRICES 137 



similarly marked as shown in the engraving here given, and in 

 addition the}' have these rows of cicatrices across the inside of the 

 thigh. A triple row across the left breast distinguished the prin- 

 cipal w^ife of the chief of Treasury Island. This method of orna- 

 raentinc the bodv with raised cicatrices, which I also observed in 

 the case of the party of Takui-a natives above referred to, would 

 appear to be a sign of manhood and womanhood, as it is not to be 

 found amongst the younger of either sex. With regard to the mode 

 of producing these marks, I could only ascertain that they were 

 made by placing the powdered dust of touchwood on the skin and 

 then igniting it. To produce such a permanent and indelible cica- 

 trix, I should think it probable that means were employed to con- 

 vert the burn into a festering sore. The light colour of these scars 

 would appear to indicate that no pigment is used in the process. I 

 should remark that this custom of raising the skin in citmtrices, es- 

 pecially on the shoulders, breasts, and thighs, is very prevalent 

 among the Papuans of the south and south-west coasts of New 

 Guinea.^ Mr. Mosely describes the same method of ornamenting 

 the bod}^ as he observed it amongst the men of the Admiralty 

 Islands.^ 



It may be here noticed, that the practice of circumcision is 

 apparently not to be met with in these islands, except, as observed 

 by Dr. Codrington, in the pure PoWnesian settlements,^ with which, 

 however, I did not come into contact. 



I have previously described the modes of wearing and of decorat- 

 ing the hair (pages 116, 134), and can only make a few remarks hero. 

 In some islands, as at *Ugi, the young boys have the entire scalp 

 shaven wdth the exception of two tufts on the top of the head. 

 Then aoain, at the other extreme of life, it is often the custom for old 

 women to assist the natural faliing-ofF of the hair and I'emove it 

 altogether. As a sign of mourning, the hair may be trimmed, cut 

 close, or sha^'ed off 



The Solomon Islander often carries his comb stuck in his bushy 

 hair. As shown in the figure in this work, the comb in common 

 use throughout tliis group resembles very much in pattern and mode 

 of workmanship that which is in use in parts of New Guinea, the 

 Admiralty Islands, the Tonga Group, and other islands of the 



1 " raimans "' by G. W. Earl ; (p. 5.) 

 - Journ. Anthrop. Inst. vol. vi. . p. 379. 

 3 Ibid., vol. X : u. 261. 



