568 
THE VOYAGE OF H.M.S. CHALLENGER. 
impenetrable jungle, but it is really more like a park, as all the undergrowth is cleared 
away. At the summit of the hills the Malays brought some freshly-cut bamboos, the 
spaces between the joints of which were filled with deliciously cool water. 
After remaining some time on the hills admiring the nutmeg plantations and the tall 
Canary trees with the numerous orchids on them, the party rode to the north side of the 
island, where the pinnace had been sent to await its arrival. On dismounting near the 
shore a party of men appeared dressed in parti-coloured garments, amongst which red 
and yellow predominated, armed with decorated swords and spears, with brass shields 
sufficiently long to protect the arm as high as the elbow, and flat silver filigree helmets 
adorned with the feathers of the Birds of Paradise. They danced to the sound of a drum 
and small gong, keeping excellent time, and imitated the attack and defence of war 
parties amidst the firing of guns. 
The seat of government, principal fort, and European settlement at the Banda group 
are on the island of Neira. Two piers run out from the shore to facilitate landing at low 
water, one on the southwest point of the island opposite the fort, which is the commercial 
pier, and the other on the south coast of the island, opposite the Resident’s house, which 
is the official pier. A road with trees on each side, and grass plots towards the sea, runs 
parallel with the coast from the fort, round the south and east sides of the island, and by 
the side of this road are the residences of the Dutch officials, and the usual club house. 
The club house is a regular feature in all the Dutch settlements of the East, and every 
night the officials and residents assemble there to talk over the affairs of the day, and 
enjoy their cigars in the open air in the cool of the evening, sitting either on chairs 
round a table placed on the grass flat in front of the club house, or in easy chairs in the 
verandah. 
Life at Banda is similar to that at Batavia, and, in fact, all over the Dutch 
possessions in the Indian Archipelago. The whole community rises at daybreak, and 
after a light breakfast of fruit and coffee, attend at their offices until 11 a.m. ; at 
this hour practically all work for the day is over, for after a bath and luncheon at 
noon, they indulge in a siesta until between 3 and 4 p.m., when they rise, dress 
themselves for the evening, and take a stroll before dinner, after which they meet 
at the club. 
Supplies at Banda are scanty, for as the islands produce nothing but the nutmeg, 
rice and all other necessaries for the maintenance of the population have to be imported. 
Beef could be procured occasionally, fowls were 3s. to 4s. each, and eggs 2|d. each. 
Yams, cucumbers, pumpkins, and plantains are grown, and can be purchased at moderate 
rates, coal is stored on the island, and could also generally be procured. 
The population of the Banda Islands in 1870 was 6224, of whom 589 were Europeans, 
5479 Natives, 128 Chinese, and 28 Arabs. There were also at this time 1063 head of 
cattle and 30 horses on the islands. 
