200 THE ARU ISLANDS. [chap. xxx. 



lost iu admiration, at tlie velvet black and brilliant green 

 of its wings, seven inches across, its golden body, and 

 crimson breast. It is true I had seen similar insects in 

 cabinets at home, but it is quite another thing to capture 

 .such oneself — to feel it struggling between one's fingers, 

 and to gaze upon its fresh and living beauty, a bright gem 

 shining out amid the silent gloom of a dark and tangled 

 forest. The village of Dobbo held that evening at least 

 one contented man. 



Jan. 26th. — Having now been here a fortnight, I 

 began to understand a little of the place and its pecu- 

 liarities. Praus continually arrived, and the merchant 

 population increased almost daily. Every two or three 

 days a fresh house was opened, and the necessary repairs 

 made. In every direction men were bringing in poles, 

 bamboos, rattans, and the leaves of the nipa palm to 

 construct or repair the walls, thatch, doors, and shutters of 

 their houses, which they do with great celerity. Some of 

 the arrivals were Macassar men or Bugis, but more from 

 the small island of Goram, at the east end of Ceram, 

 whose inhabitants are the petty traders of the far East. 

 Then the natives of Aru come in from the other side of 

 the islands (called here " blakang tana," or " back of the 

 country ") with the produce they have collected during 

 the preceding six months, and which they now sell to the 

 traders, to some of whom they are most likely in debt. 



