101 
trepang-fishery. Indeed, this grain is cheaper here than 
at any port in the -MolucctiB. 
Lieutenant Kolff thus describea the mode in which the 
trepaiig and pearl fisheries are conducted, and the prahus 
nsed by the natives when fishing on the outlying banks. 
The foi-cign traders leave tlieir vesseU at Dobbo or Wadia 
in chai'ge of a few of the crew, and proceed to the diffe- 
rent villages in the boats which they hire from the 
Arruana, the owners generally accompanyiug theoi as 
pilots, 
" Vorkay, an island lying exposed to the ocean at the 
sonth-eastern extremity of the group, is of great impor- 
tance from its pearl fishery. At a distance of eight miles 
to the eastward, lie several small islands, between which 
and Vorkay the trepang banks ai-e situated. At low 
water, hmidreds of men, with their wives and children, 
may be seen wading from Vorkay towards these islets 
(the water being only two or three feet deep), carrying a 
basket at their backs, and having in their hantls a stick, 
provided with an iron point. When the water is deeper 
than this J they make use of canoes. For fishing on the 
banks situated at a greater distance, the Alfoers use a 
prahu, constructed for the purpose, in which they embark 
their entire families. These vessels Irnve a very strange 
appearance. They have great beam, and the stern ruaa 
np into a high curve, while two planks project forward 
from the bows. The family resides in three or four huts 
composed of ataji, or palm leaves, erected within the 
vessel, and a railing runs entirely round it, apparently to 
prevent the children from falling overboard. The prahu 
is propelled by a large sail made of rushesi which folds 
