2 14 . 
CBUISE OF E.MS. CHALLENGEB. 
stone, of which it is entirely composed. In all the 
little swampy inlets and valleys sago-trees abound, 
and these supply the main subsistence of the natives. 
The forests afford abundance of timber, though not 
probably more so than other islands, and, from some 
unknown causes, these remote savages have made 
boat-building their study, in which art they pre- 
eminently excel. Their canoes and prahs are beau- 
tifully formed, broad and low in the centre, rising at 
each end, where they terminate in high pointed 
peaks, more or less carved, and ornamented with 
shells and waving plumes of cassowary’s hair. They 
are not hollowed out of a tree, but are regularly 
built of planks running from end to end, accurately 
fitted together without a nail or particle of iron being 
used, the planks being dowelled together with 
wooden pegs, as a cooper fastens the head of a cask, 
and the whole afterwards strengthened by timbers, 
lashed with split rattan to solid cleats left for the 
purpose in each plank. 
The village had a pretty appearance as seen from 
the anchorage ; but on landing the illusion was soon 
dispelled. There seems to be but little care or clean- 
liness in or around the houses ; but a ramble through 
the beautiful forests, hunting for plants and insects, 
many of which were altogether unknown, was very 
enjoyable. 
Sept. 26th . — Left the anchorage this morning, and 
proceeded amongst a group of beautifully wooded 
