95 
weapons used on these occasions, and state whether they are 
used for amusement only, or for war as well. 29. Are rats, 
birds, or other animals shot for amusement ? 30. Aquatic 
sports, such as swimming-matches, shooting rapids, jumping 
from heights, diving, &c. 31. Equestrian feats, jumping on 
and off, standing up, shooting, jumping through hoops, &c. 
32. Note any of the foregoing sports that are unknown 
amongst the people. 33. What sites are selected for the sports— 
natural rocks, hollows, hill-tops, &c. ? 
No. LVIII.—COMMUNICATIONS. 
By F. GALTON, Esq., F.K.S. 
The actual weights transported and the greatest work to be 
got out of man and beast week after week deserve accurate 
measurement, also the food they do it on (see XXIV.). Marks 
like those made by gipsies or by scoring trees to show the road 
or to give hints to followers are worth inquiring into. Savages 
are accredited with an almost instinctive power of finding 
their way; but many of the cases quoted are found to be 
less extraordinary than stated. It would be a matter of ex¬ 
treme interest to rigidly test the power of several renowned 
path-finders, by leading them in a circular path in a new forest 
and seeing how directly they are able to find their ways back in 
a straight line. 
1. Are there roads of any kind P how made and preserved ? 
2. Does the roadway through bush and forest consist of a net¬ 
work of paths running in and out of each other ? 
3. Swamps .— How are they passed P Is any thing sunk to 
preserve the roadway ? 
4. Fords .—Are any measures taken to preserve or improve 
them P Do the natives understand the natural line of fords 
from salient to salient banks ? 
5. Ferries .—Are any boats kept for the purpose ? how main¬ 
tained ? what payment is made ? any understanding with 
neighbouring tribes respecting them ? 
6. Bridges .—Are any of the following kinds used ?— a , bridges 
of single trees, or trees from opposite sides crossed and fastened 
