SOUTH-WEST COAST. 
Marianne (Dourga) Strait, nor among tlie inhabitants of 
Lobo (tlie district in wbicli Triton Bay ia situated), and 
tbe neigbbourbood. It was the opinion of our inter- 
preters that the custom was adopted chiefly for purposes 
of mutual recognition between parties at a distance from 
each other {om zich onderllng op eenigm af stand te doen 
verkenTten) . It should also be noticed that, according to 
the best of our observation, it was used when they met 
strangers with friendly intentions, as well as when they 
wished to show open enmity, or when they took to flight 
from mistrust. The interjireter, Patty Barooibaiig, was 
under tbe impression that a sidelong or horizoptal pro- 
jection of the composition showed pacific intentions ; but 
that when thrown upwards in the air it indicated a chal- 
lenge, or an intention to resist. It also appeared to us 
by no means improbable that this tube may be used as a 
sort of weapon for throwing a pain-creating dust into the 
eyes of enemies."* 
The iuterpretei-^s suggestion, as to a sidelong projection 
indicating pacific iutentions, does not agree with Captain 
Cook's experience. The custom itself is evidently of a 
local character, as it has never been observed elsewhere 
in New Guinea. Possibly it may have originated in a 
rude attempt of a peculiarly imitative people, to produce 
something resembhng the discharges of musketry from 
which they bad suffered at the hands of the earlier Euro- 
pean navigators. 
The south-west coast of New Guinea, between tbe 
Dorn'ga Strait and the Outanata River, must be well- 
* " Bijdragea tot de Keimis vatt Kieaw Guinea," p. 55, 
