Feb. 22, 1858.] WALLACE ON THE ARRU ISLANDS. 
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cakes, which are there manufactured for the supply of all the 
eastern part of the archipelago. The Ke islanders bring boats and 
prows for sale, wooden howls, native earthen vessels, cocoa-nuts, 
and plantains. The produce obtained consists of pearl-shell, pearls, 
tripang, tortoiseshell, edible birds’ -nests, and birds of paradise. Of 
these, the tripang, birds’-nests, and I believe most of the pearls and 
tortoiseshell find their way to China, the mother-of-pearl shell prin- 
cipally to Europe. 
Each of the larger prows calls at Ke on its way to Arru, and pur- 
chases there one or two small vessels, which are loaded immediately 
on arriving, and sent with a supercargo to pick up produce among 
the islands on the east coast. The traders themselves reside at 
Dobbo, where they all have houses built entirely of poles and palm- 
thatch, and annually repaired. Natives from all the adjacent parts 
daily arrive, bringing their little bits of produce, which they sell 
to the highest bidder. They may often be seen wandering about 
with a single pearl-shell, calling at every house to see where they 
can get the highest price. These, as well as the tripang, tortoise- 
shell, and birds’-nests, are all bought by weight ; and a whole cargo 
is made up by purchases of a few pounds or even a few ounces at 
a time. When a native has accumulated a little stock of produce, 
he takes payment in an assortment of articles, including always a 
box of arrack, the quantity of which consumed is immense. About 
3000 boxes are brought annually, each containing fifteen square 
bottles of very near half a gallon each, making a total of about 
20,000 gallons of strong spirit. 
The prows begin to arrive at Dobbo in December, at the com- 
mencement of the west monsoon; and in June and July they return 
to Macassar. Some of the small traders remain the year round, 
picking up produce at a greater profit when there is less competi- 
tion ; and some of the larger merchants leave agents to do the same 
for them. Some years ago the profits of the Arru trade were very 
great ; now they are very moderate, owing to the excessive compe- 
tition. English calicoes can be bought in Arru as cheap as they 
can in England. 
AVitli the exception of the short visit of the commissioner, there 
is no law or government in Arru; yet the motley population, all 
striving to get what they can, live very peaceably together. Every 
one minds his own business, and, although he “ does that which is 
right in his own eyes,” takes care not to injure his neighbour. 
Gambling quarrels occasionally arise among the Bugis, and a few 
deaths by the creese may occur, as they do in Macassar ; but on the 
whole, considering the mixture of races and religions, the competi- 
