NEW GUINEA AND THE PAPUANS 
411 
Kiver until the longitude of 141° is reached, when this 
meridian is taken as the limit. The territory thus acquired, 
although it will be long before Holland can develop it, 
must be regarded as the most promising of the three 
portions into which the island has been divided. That of 
Germany labours under the disadvantage of remoteness, 
while British Hew Guinea consists very largely of low, 
flat, unhealthy land, which is not adapted for European 
residence or cultivation. The Dutch have an abundance 
of good harbours and fertile highlands; and a certain 
amount of trade, which is capable of considerable develop¬ 
ment, has for over three centuries been carried on with 
the Moluccas. Their portion forms part of the system 
of the Netherlands India, and offers fewer difficulties to 
administration and settlement than does the rest of the 
island to their neighbours. As yet, however, there are 
no settlements in any part of the territory, if we except 
those of the few missionaries in Geelvink Bay. In 1827, 
as before mentioned, a small fort and garrison was estab¬ 
lished in Triton Bay, but it was soon abandoned. 
The Malays, who trade in paradise-birds, pearl-shell, 
and a few other natural products with the natives of 
Dutch Papua, recognise certain subdivisions of the 
country. The two great north-western peninsulas go by 
the name of Papua Onin, the northern being called Onin 
dibawa or Lower Onin, and the southern Onin diatas 
or Upper Onin. The natives of the western coast of 
this part have a bad reputation, and the Bugis and 
Goram men who trade with them never go unarmed, 
and say that if they cannot agree on a bargain they have 
to fight. Of all the places in Dutch New Guinea, Dorei 
is the most important. It was here that Mr. Wallace 
lived in 18 5 8 ; and various explorers, Beccari, D’Albertis, 
Meyer, and others made it their starting-point on their 
