454 



A NATUMALIST*8 WANDEJiims 



I waa struck by obaerving that the roofs of the houses about 

 me were surmounted by an ornament (see opposite page) 

 closely resenibUng that found on temples in Fiji, as shown in 

 Stanford's ' Australasia/ which may perhaps be an indication 

 of some relationship or commnnication in former times with 

 the Polynesian races. In one of the baskets whicJi I obtained 

 in the Tenimber Islands, the lid, which waa hut-shaped, cul- 

 minated in an ornament of the same form. 



The Rajah himstdf was absent, and we did not receive a 

 particularly pleasant welcome from the Eajak Katu^s, who was * 

 acting as his substitute ; but, desiring to live on the best terma 

 possible with this kingdom, where I hoped to make a prolonged 

 stay, I overlooked as much as possible his conduct. From 

 what I had learned of the district from my boy while still at 

 Fatunaba, my curiosity and interest were excited, not only in 

 its flora and fauna, but in the curious customs that preTailed 

 among the people of this rarely visited and little known 

 region* 



In trayelling south, after crossing the Kaimauk river, a 

 considerable change is observable in the flora. The Melaleuca 

 greatly diminishes in numbers, while in the ravines Casnarinas, 

 Urostigmas, and species of Ficus become more abundant ; and 

 Acacias, aromatic Lahiatm, shrubby Malmeew and Melastomac£4B 

 cover the more exposed slopes, where also clumps of tall, dark 

 fobaged bamboos, with graceful nodding plumes, form quite a 

 feature in the landscape. Whenever considerable patches of 

 trees have attained the dignity of a wood, one may be sure that 

 there the land is Lull— s&cred territory — where, if he is per- 

 mitted to enter, the botanist may not break or cut a single 

 branch. These spots— often the highest peaks of niountains^ — 

 having been luh'^d for generations, must be the richest store- 

 houses of all the rarest plants and trees in theix locidities. 



How aggravating to the spirit it waa to be prevented from 

 coUecting there it is needless to describe. 



My collecting was often enlivened by the sound of happy 

 singing from the flehls, wliich on all sides were during my 

 stay in the height of the rice harvest, here as in all other lands 

 a season of mirth and rejoicing. In the liar vest-field every 

 one — old men, women, and children— comes out to help. The 

 older people in the centre of a long lino, with the ynuths on 



