TKANSACTIONS OF SECTION H. 847 



1. Cervical vert, of a child of ten years, tlie spinous process deflected obliquely 

 to the left bj' traumatic influence. 



2. The rtimains of a pre-natal child. 



3. Several segments of the dorsal and lumbar vert, united by extra-osseous 

 deposits. Adult, cause due to old age, disease, or injury. 



4. Low«T jaw of an adult who died just before being placed in the crematory 

 fire, as shown by the warped condition of the specimen. Coronoid process deflected 

 by heat. 



.5. Lower third of right femur, showing comminuted fracture, reunion of 

 splintered liones, intraosseous abscesses, suppuration and escape of pus by nearly a 

 dozen cirorular openings through the bone. Diseased conditions extended for a 

 long time. 



SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 8. 



The following Papers and Reports were read : — 



1. Marriage Otistoms of the New Britain Group. 

 By the Rev. Benjamin Danks. 



For marriage purposes the people of New Britain are divided into two classes 

 or divisions. No man may marry a woman of his own class. To do so would 

 bring instant destruction upon the woman, and if not immediate death to the 

 man, his life would never be secure ; in fact, sexual intercourse between a man and 

 womaa of the same class is regarded in the same light as between brother and 

 sister in a Christian community. 



As, however, children are of their mother's totem, it is possible for a man to 

 marry his niece, although there is a great repugnance to such unions among the 

 natives. 



Preparations for marriage are various. On Duke of York Island, initiation into 

 the 3«3cret society which is called Dukduk seems a sufficient prepar.ation (though not 

 absolutely necessary to marriage) for the boys, and there appears to be no needful 

 preparation for the girls. 



On New Ireland some girls wear a fringe across their shoulders until they are 

 marriageable. These are the poorer classes. Others are put into cages, in which 

 they remain four or five years without being allowed to go outside the house in 

 whxch they are confined. 



These cages are conical structures about 7 or 8 feet in height, and about 10 or 

 12 feet in circumference at the bottom and for about 4 feet from the ground, 

 where they taper off" to a point at the top. They are made of the broad leaves of 

 the pandanus tree, sewn quite close together so that no light and very little air 

 can enter. On one side is an opening which is closed by a double door of plaited 

 Micoanut tree and pandanus tree leaves. About 3 feet from the ground there is 

 3 stage of bamboos which forms the fioor. There is only room for the girl to sit or 

 lie down in a crouched position on the bamboo platform, and her feet are never 

 allowed to touch the gromid all the time she is confined in the cage. Great 

 marriage-feasts are provided for these girls when they are taken out of the cages. 



The author describes some of the customs in connection with the preparation 

 •of young men for marriage on the island of New Britain. 



Wives are purchased with shell money, and are often married at a very early 

 age. After the price has been decided and paid the girl may be taken away at 

 once to her husband's house, or she may be allowed to remain with her friends for 

 a considerable time. 



On Duke of York Island there is generally a marriage-feast of a superior kind 

 when persons of influence are being married. The women of the town and sur- 

 rounding district prepare a large number of puddings, and many pigs are killed. 

 Many presents are given to the bride in public, which she is expected afterwards to 



