37G 



CERAM. 



[CHAJ*. XXV. 



a tliinl of a mile wide separating it from each of them. 

 It is surroimdcd by coral reefs, and olfei^ gooil anclioi-age 

 in both monsoons. Though not more than fifty yai'ds 

 across, and not elevated more tlian three or fonr feet above 

 the highest tides, it has wells of exeellent drinking water — 

 a singular phenomenon, wliich wwld seem to iniply deep- 

 seated siibternuiean channels connecting it witli other 

 islands. These advantages, with its sitnation in the centre 

 of the Papuan trading district, lead to its being so much 

 frequented by the ]->ugis ti-aders. Here tlie Gorara men 

 bring the prodnce of their little voyages, which tliey ex- 

 change for cloth, sago calves^ and opium ; and the in- 

 habitants of all the surrounding islands visit it with the 

 same object. It ia the rendearv'ons of the praua trading to 

 vaiious parts of New Guinea, which liere assort and dry 

 their cargoes, and refit for the voyage home. Tripang and 

 mussoi bai*k are the most bulky articles of produce 

 brought here, with wild nutmegs, tortoise-shell, pearls, and 

 birds of ParadisCf in smaller quantities. Tiie villagers of 

 the mainland of Cerani Ijring their sago, which is thus 

 distrib!ited to the islands farther east, while rice from 

 Bali and Macnssar can also be purchased at a moderate 

 price. The Goram men come here for their supplies of 

 opium, both for their o^vn consumption and for barter in 

 Mysol and ^^'aigiou, where tliey have introduced it, and 

 where the chiefs and wealthy men are passionately fond of 

 it. Schooners from Bali come to buy Papuan slaves, whOe 

 the sea-wandering Eugis arrive from distant Singapore in 

 their lumbering pmus, bringing thence the produce of tlie 

 Chinamen's workshops and Kling's bazaar, as well as of 

 the looms of Lancashire and Massachusetts. 



One of the Bugis traders who had arrived a few days 

 befitre from Mysol, brought me news of my assistant 

 Charles Allen, with whom he was well acquainted, and who, 

 he assured me, was making large collections of birds and 

 insects, although he had not obtained any birds of Paradise ; 

 Silinta, where he was staying, not being a good place for 

 them. This was on the whole satisfactory, and I was 

 auxioDS to reach him as soon as possible. 



Leaving Kilwaru early in the morning of Jmie Istj with 

 a strong east wind we doubled the point of Ceram about 



