OBfs PALACE. 
247 
and placed at some distance to the right of the spot 
where we landed, on rather higher ground than the 
others. It is an irregular building, but within presents 
a quadrangle or court, into which each compartment 
opens. With so large a harem, composed of upwards 
of one hundred wives* of all ages, from twelve to fifty, 
it was not to be wondered at that there was here an 
unusual amount of loquacity. Many sparkling eyes 
were peeping at us from within, where an animated 
discussion was heard, and it did not require any know- 
ledge of the Ibu dialect to assure us that the white men 
were subjects of their conversation or amusement. 
result of repletion with their disgusting food, the offal and carrion of 
the place. These birds are encouraged on account of their useful- 
ness as scavengers. There is much difference between the young and 
old birds. 
* The number of wives depends very much on the rank and wealth 
of the parties. Dr, McWilllam was enabled to procure the following 
statistics on the subject : 
Name and Rank. 
Age. 
Wiv 
Living. 
es. 
Dead. 
Chil 
Living. 
dren. 
Dead. 
Ajeh, King’s brother . 
40 
80 
40 
uncertain. 
uncertain. 
Araorama, judge and 
King’s mouth 
40 
4 
2 
2 
6 
Ozama, headman 
35 
4 
2 
2 
6 
Omeniho, head 
32 
3 
2 
3 
6 
Amehah, headman 
28 
4 
1 
3 
6 
Magoy, bugler . 
Ambili, headman 
34 
2 
1 
6 
3 
35 
3 
2 
3 
11 
Ogron, headman 
30 
3 
1 
2 
2 
Obi Osai', King 
44 
110 
ifncertain. 
uncertain. 
But among the many we questioned, three seemed to be the most 
frequent number. 
