324 



NEW GUINEA. 



rCHA.P. XXXIV. 



but in their ornaments the feathers of Paradise birds 

 were seen, showing, as might be expected, 

 that these birds range far in this direc- 

 tion, and probably all over New 

 Guinea. 



It is curious that a rudimental love 



of art should co-exist with such a very 



low state of civilization. The people of 



Dorey are great carvers and painters. 



>■ The outsides of the houses, wherever 



% there is a plank, are covered with rude 



5 yet characteristic figures. The high- 



2 



i peaked prows of their boats are orna- 

 ° mented with masses of open lilagree 



o 



° work, cut out of solid blocks of Avood, 

 % and often of very tasteful design. As a 

 figure-head, or pinnacle, there is often a 

 human figure, with a head of cassowary 

 feathers to imitate the Papuan " mop." 

 The floats of their fishing-lines, the 

 wooden beaters used in tempering the 

 clay for their pottery, their tobacco- 

 boxes, and other household articles, are 

 covered with carving of tasteful and 

 often elegant design. .Did we not already 

 laiow that such taste and skill are compatible with utter 



