STATURE AND STRENGTH. 277 



The average stature of these Papuans is less 

 than our own, being- only about five feet four inches ; 

 this did not appear to be the case when seen along- 

 side, but on board the ship, and especially when 

 clothed, the diflPerence became very apparent. Al- 

 though well made, and far surpassing us ia agility, 

 they were our inferiors in muscular power. Their 

 strength was tested by means of a deep-sea lead 

 weighing twenty-two pounds which none of the 

 natives could hold out at arm's length, although 

 most of us who tried it experienced no difficulty in 

 sustaining the weight for a few seconds. 



Among the people who came alongside the ship 

 one day we noticed two cases of that kind of 

 elephantiasis called " Barbadoes Leg," in one com- 

 bined with enormous distention of the scrotum, 

 which was larger than a man's head, and studded 

 with warts. One of these unfortunate objects had 

 both legs much swollen, especially about the ankle, 

 where the skin was almost obliterated by large scab- 

 like warts, the other, besides the diseased leg, had a 

 huge tumour on the inner side of the right thigh. 



The weapons procured at this place consist of 

 spears, clubs, a wooden sword, and a shield. Of 

 the first there are several kinds, aU larger and 

 heavier than those obtained at the Louisiade, but, 

 like them, made of hard, heavj-, well polished cocoa- 

 nut wood. The spears vary in length fi-om nine to 

 eleven feet, with a diameter, where thickest, of 

 rather more than an inch. From their great weight 



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