TMK AISTK'AT.IAX MFSKFAr ^^AGAZrNE. 



87 



able for the use of students and oilier 

 workers. The condition of the Museum 

 collections is excellent, this l)ein<i' due to 

 the vigilance of a specially trained staff. 

 In the past the birds were scattered 

 throu.<>'lu)ut many differenl (•al)im'ls. I)ut 

 they are now underiioinji' a comi)lete re- 

 arrangement and cataloguing, and the 



final result will be tliat any individual 

 specimen of any species can l)e found 

 within a few seconds. Any species 

 specially asked for is available for in- 

 spection, and students and workers will 

 always receive sucii facilities foi- study, 

 and as much of our time as can lie 

 placed at their disposal. 



Primitive Magic and Sorcery. 



r>v William W. Thoupk. 



Amongst the many curious articles in 

 the Museum ethnographical collections 

 is a small cylindrical baml)00 box from 

 the east end District of Papua iiartly 

 filled with vegetable mould, and capped 

 by a rind lid. 



It is used, by a process of make- 

 believe, to obtain certain possessions 

 from another native. The owner of the 

 box dips his finger in cocoanut "milk," 

 then into the box, and smears the mould 

 around liis lips, meanwhile asking for 

 what he requires. It is used more es- 

 pecially for obtaining possession of the 

 wife or a pig belonging to another 

 tribesman, and, owing to the belief of 

 the latter in the potency of tlie box and 

 its contents, lie dare not refuse. 



Sorcery or nuigic enters largely into 

 the life and experience of all native 

 peoples. In fact one sees its survival 

 in many of the fears and superstitions 

 current amongst civilised comnuuiities. 

 It may be defined as an attempt to pro- 

 duce a result by some extraneous 

 agency, su]3erhuman or occult. As a 

 rule those wdio practice it claim to have 

 special contact with si)irits, but. as in 

 this case, a material agency is com- 

 monly used, for the profession has its 

 own properties and implements of trade. 

 These practices are only possible be- 

 cause of the psychological condition of 

 the natives. The well-balanced mind 

 knows there is nothing magical about 

 the box or its contents, but the Papuan 

 thinks otherwise; and this, taken in 

 conjunction with the personality and 

 reputation of the operator, brings about 

 the desired result. A special class of 

 individuals seems to be set apart to 



practise as sorcerers, who often have 

 to qualify by rigid preparation before 

 setting up in tlie l)usiness. 



Unless one is associated with nati\o 

 people it is dillicult to realise liow in- 

 separable magic or sorcery is from 

 their daily life. If the rain does not 

 fall, it is attributed to sorcery, and the 

 local i)ractitioner is requisitioned to 



Papuan Sorcery tube. 



Photo. — G. C. Clutton. 



