INACTION AND AN EXCURSION 
monial dances, connected with the worship of the 
reproductive powers of Nature. 
Initiatory rites were celebrated, and the orgies 
taken part in by the young men and women were 
often of the most indecorous character. By the 
decree of a paternal Government these celebrations 
have now ceased to exist. It is possible that they 
were accompanied by cannibalism, but I am not aware 
that there is any proof of this. Descriptions are 
extant, but it is doubtful whether these have been 
given at first hand, for the natives would certainly 
not have admitted visitors to their mysteries. 
The houses at Kalo are the most substantial I saw 
in New Guinea. They were built upon 9-inch 
posts and were raised 10 or 11 feet off the ground. 
It was extraordinary to me how these posts were 
secured, the soil seemed so loose and sandy; about 
one-third distance up occurred a cross-piece, above 
which there were two others. The lower parallelogram 
thus formed was crossed by two diagonal pieces of 
bamboo, the third and upper parallelogram by one 
diagonal piece; these were the steps giving access to 
the house, and their arrangements will be easily under- 
stood by reference to the photograph. The third 
cross-piece, above which the gable is enclosed, marks 
the level of the floor. There was an open verandah 
at one end, and the house had only one room. ‘The 
house was eaved, and was thatched with flag-grass, 
and the whole structure measured 30 feet by 15 
feet. On the inflammable floor, within the thatch, 
they actually have a fire on a mud hearth. The 
strangest sight of all was the elaborate carvings hung 
175 I 
