100 
ARTLV ISLANDS. 
appearance to the trepang-fishers of Vorkay. They liaci 
clearer skins than the latter, and their hair, which was 
also much finer^ was very neatly dres&ed and adorned with 
heads. Their weapon and the ornaments of their prahus, 
displayed great taste. The strangers, who called them- 
selves Alfoers of Borassi, had ahiindance of food with 
them^ together with several hunting dogs/^* 
These people are described by the western islanders as 
being more addicted to agricultural than maritime pur- 
suits, and as subsialjing chiefly on maize, yams, and sweet 
potatoes, which may possibly account for their superiority 
in personal appearance. Their prahns and weapons are 
said to resemble exactly those of the Outanataa, on the 
opposite coast of New Guinea. 
Very little is known concerning the agriculture of the 
Arruans, for during the periodical visits of the traders, 
which extend over three or four months, nearly the entire 
population, male and female, is occupied in collecting the 
marine produce which forms the bulk of their return car- 
goes. The houses of the Arruans, which are erected on 
piles near the sea-shore, are generally shaded by cocoa-nut 
groves; and their gardens, which are laid out in the in- 
terior, supply yams, sweet potatoes, plantains, &c., in fact, 
the greater portion of the fruits and vegetables common to 
the Moluccas; and Mr, Kolff informs us that they also 
grow a little rice, but this is not a common practice, 
although rice is their favourite diets the supplies brought 
by the foreign traders being very great, and quite equal 
to the consumption of the inhabitants employed in the 
♦ KoUT, "Voyage/' &c., p. m 
