TRADE AND COMMUNICATIONS. 223 



yellow, non-transparent beads (Bornéo [1907, II, 6, N os . 37 — 38]), called uti (yellow) uiia (old), of which 

 Nietjwenhuis [1904. 139, PL XIX, fig. S] gives an illustration; they differ in nothing frora the chrïs, 

 and hâve, as my visit to Leyden convinced me, the spiral construction. Another bead (of string 

 Ser. 614, N°. 115), also shows the spiral furrows. Finally I quote Shelford [1905, 34], who describes 

 among the Bornéo beads (type 9) of the Sarawak Muséum, "weathered beads of vast antiquity, highly 

 valued by the Kyans, forming part of their currency, and which exhibit a spiral structure". 



The beads recentiy found in Java (Leyden Muséum, Ser. 1552), are différent from the N. G. beads. 



From what has been enumerated above, it may be summarized that, as vvell on Timor, 

 as on Ceram and Bornéo, beads occur, which are just like some beads of Netherl. North New 

 Guinea; and further, that the glass muti tanah, though from différent material, has been manu- 

 factured in the same way as the N. G. bead. 



The investigation as to the origin of the antique beads might, in the first place, lead to 

 the question: "Where is, or was, in the bead-factory, the above described technique applied" ? 



Respecting this technique, I must still mention the opinion of SliELFORD [1905, 34, 

 note]: "apparently the clay, when wet, was twisted in short lengths, round a rod, then shaped 

 roughly into the form of a bead and baked ; the final polishing and shaping taking place 

 after the clay was fired". — According to my opinion, a fine, spiral structure as some beads 

 indicate, can only be obtained by a fluid (heated) mass. 



WlCHMANN [1891, 230], speaking of muti tanah, considers its art of manufacturing, one of 

 times long past, in contradiction to SHELFORD, who regards the beads as to be of Venetian origin. 



I think, in the mean time anticipating the results of an inquiry, still to be made, of 

 the Chinese glass industry (ROUFFAER [1899, 519]), that I must consider the beads under 

 notice, showing the spiral structure, as Chinese products. Not only that LlNG ROTH 

 [1896, II, 283] and NlEUWENHUlS [1904, 239] already considered a Chinese origin as probable 

 or possible, but moreover, in the différent islands of Netherl. India, and in the Philippines . 

 (MEYER [1884, 14]), more Chinese objects occur, which are regarded also by the population 

 of great value and sometimes of supernatural origin. I refer to the old jars of Bornéo, of 

 which now the Chinese origin is generally accepted by experts (see also LlNG ROTH [1. c, 

 284 — 287]). Old coins of Ceram (RlEDEL [1886, 106]) and old jars ([Le. 121J, VALENTIJN 

 [1856, II, 75]), such as those found from time immémorial on Ambon (MÛLLER — BEECK 

 [1884 — 85, 35]), on Goram Island, Kei- and Aru Islands (MEYER [1884, 14, 6]), are also 

 products of Chinese industry. They were imported by a navigation, still living hère and there 

 in the historical remembrance of the natives, partly still occurring in our times. 



The existence of a Chinese navigation, also on the north coast of N. G. in olden 

 times, may be supported by the fact, that at présent, in Geelvink Bay and on Wiak much 

 Chinese pottery is found and is also used on graves, as I had an opportunity of stating myself 

 (figs. 170 and 172). Such jars are kept for centuries, owing to their durability. MEYER 1. c. 

 gives illustrations of them; flowers and plants form the principal ornaments, which do not 

 directly strike one as being characteristically Chinese. Finally I consider it very probable, that 

 the cups and jars, painted red and green, found on the north coast, together with the simbbni, 

 by LE MAIRE [1622, 63]: "wij creghen van haer een Warmoescop en een Schotel seer grof, 

 met rood en groen gheschildert, 't was Porcelijn, daer zij seer licht afscheijdeden, voor twee 

 riskens Coralen", — and which he took for Spanish import, were nevertheless of Chinese origin. 



