150 NOTICES Of BOOKS. 
Mr. Cuanmers was invited, was held and “some of our 
friends appeared with pieces of human flesh dangling from 
their necks and arms.” The black tribes of the interior 
have the reputation of being cannibals, and those with whom 
the Port Moresby natives trade are said to laugh at the 
latter for not eating such delicate food as human flesh 
Instances are given too of cannibalism on the part of na- 
tives of the Hayter and Heath Islands, of Teste Island and 
of South Cape. At the last-named place a friendly chief 
presented to Mrs. Cuatmers a buman breast, “a highly 
prized and delicate bit.” It 1s not astonishing, therefore, 
that her husband records that after this he ceased to gratify 
the natives in this part of New Guinea with exhibitions of 
his chest, though the free inspection of the feet, boots, arms, 
and chest of an European seems to peculiarly delight them. 
“All shout with delight, and every new arrival must have a 
look.” 
The gods of the natives of the south-east of New Guinea 
are Kaevakuku, Semese, and Tauparau, the first being a 
female and the others male spirits. The district of Elema 
is supposed to be the place of residence of these gods, and 
here, as well as at other places along the coast, there are 
temples contaming idols where dances and feasts are held. 
No females or youths may approach the Hous Singing 
enters largely into the worship of these people, which would 
seem to be rather dictated by the fear of evil spirits than 
belief in beneficent ones. “The centre post in every house 
is sacred to Kaevakuku and her portion of food in every 
feast is first offered there. The first fruits belung to her. 
All planting. is useless unless blessed by the gods. The sun 
belongs to Kaevakuku. Rain, hghtning and. thunder to 
Semese and Tauparau.” ......... Kaevakuku is represented by a 
large frame of wicker-work. Semese and Tauparau are made 
from blocks of wocd and stand outside of some temples, 
and against all the posts running down thecentre.’ During 
a thunderstorm the natives beat drums and shout in order 
to drive away the storm-spirits. 
“‘Spiritists,’ as Mr. Cuatmers calls them, who profess to 
make revelations by the aid of spirits who speak through 
