TRADE AND COMMUNICATIONS. 



217 



Merah, and also deals with the tribe of the Djangu (MOOLENBURGH [1904, 170] ), south of the lake. 

 The expédition also experienced, that communication in New Guinea, especially in the 

 rainy season, when extensive, low lying woods are entirely flooded, offers the greatest difficulties. 

 Rivers are bridged over by a single tree (Annual REPORT [1896 — 97, 13], [1897 — 98, 21J; 

 SELIGMANN [F906, 236]), or by trees felled from opposite sides, crossed and fastened in the 

 middle, like the Ingsiim River, fig. 142. Sometimes a narrow trunk is supported by piles 

 (MACGREGOR [1897, 87]), and when the bridge consists of a slender palm, a rattan rope 

 stretches breast high 

 from bank to bank. 

 Fine suspension bridges 

 of bamboo (?) (PRATT 

 [1906, 128] ), and similar 

 ones of rattan, as PlT- 

 CAIRN [1891, 241] and 

 Thomson [1892, 90] 

 mention and illustrate 

 of the Vanapa River, 

 hâve not, however, been 

 found in Netherlands 

 New Guinea. 



The path through 

 the forest is generally 

 marked by some tracks 

 on the ground, and by 

 the cutting off of boughs 

 hère and there; every 

 now and then ashes and 



kitchen refuse indicate halting places, while for the night's rest little sheds hâve been built on 

 river banks. The march proceeds in a quick tempo ; in front generally a man, announcing the 

 approach by loud cries, behind him the loaded women, their loads on their backs, the straps 

 across their foreheads, behind thèse the armed men. Hère I give the gênerai advice to engage 

 the porters, if possible, without being compelled to supply them with food ; the maie and female 

 porters of the expédition, sometimes appeared to be so fond of our rice, that they purposely 

 attempted to make small day marches, in order to share our food for a longer time. 



The question whether an established article exists as measure of value, lias been 

 answered by FlNSCH [1888 — 93, 222, 223] for K. W. Land in this meaning, that strings of 

 Nassashells, slices of Conus shells [1. c. PI. 6, figs. 3 and 4] and also the teeth of dogs are used 

 as currency, the latter article also mentioned of the Gogol River (NACHRICHTEN [1891, 51]). 

 The abnormally bent boar's tusk (FlNSCH [1888a, pi. XXI, fig. 2]), and its imitation (HAGEN 

 [1899, 171, PI. 28]), however, form the most désirable earthly good. In British N. G. stone adzes 

 form a kind of currency (MACGREGOR [1897, 58]); further information is given in ANNUAL 

 Report [1904 — 05, 69 — 72]. 



Regarding Netherl. N, G. the Trochus rings (p. 101) and the stone hatchets (p. 176) 

 Nova Guinea. III. Ethxography. 2S 



Fig. 142. Bridge across the Ingsiim River, 



