The National tribune., 1891-01-01
NATIVE Boat.

and that absence OF foresight which their un-
evolved intellect involves, frequently manifest
themselves IN unarrested decay Of their houses,
in squalor, privaton and the diseases engen-
dered through excess or neglect.
Vain and iucomWrabiy egOtistic. self-gratif-
cation overrides with Papuan all the obliga-
tions Of life except those whose violation en-
tails the vengeance Of his tribe or tho anger Of
bis gods, Fear, not sympathy or tenderness,
justice or pity, keep him ia subjection 60 those
restraints imposed by the special manners and
customs Of his community, aud 10 ceremonial
observances which stand
IN PLACE OF MORAL SENTIMENTS
and religious feeling
In many places villages are built on plat
forms supported by piles driven into the sea,
and are connected with the shore by causeway.
Their houses commonly much diapdsted) are
constructed of odds aud ends of every descrip-
tion, and resemble inverted boats or the oven
like huts OF Africa. The most valuable and
admired ornaments these contain are the heads
of enemies, which are suspended under the
caves
Sago porridge seasoned with sea-water, and
raw or roasted fish sprinkled with the same,
constitute their principal diet; but Papuans
eat everything that comes 10 hand, aud fruits
OF various kinds form an important item in
their bill of fare. They drink water and cocoa
nut milk 70 quench thirst, and palm wine and
fermented cane juice for their pleasure
Drunkenness on social occasions rises 10 the dig
nifty Of q religious duty, aud they may be said
10 smoke cigars or wooden pipes all the time.
This is O race Of sailors and traders whenever
Its situation is contiguous 10 the ocean.
Canoes, often OF large size, are fashioned by
means Of fire aud stone adZes from trunks Of
trees and strengthened with bamboo cross
pieces carry them upon their voyages Of com
mercial enterprise or warliko adventure The
pr0ws Of these vessels arc often elaborately
carved, and Ornamented with tufts Of human
hair. When the wind serves their paddles give
place to lateeu sails Of grass cloth, and the
narrow bark Is stcaGled by an outrigger. This
rudimentary schooner may be rooted amid
ships, the mast is frequently movable, and its
rigging is well made out Of bark or r0tang.
IN New Guinea, whose area Is large, aud in
which land animals, though none of high
grade, exist, the natives hunt considerably,
but arc very
INDIFFERENT CULTIvAToRs.
They raise maize, tobacco sugar-cane and q
few edible roots with beans, plantains, and
bananas, but TO nothing like the extent 10
which these might easily be produced.
Land ownership is unknown, and their vague
organizations OF tribes into larger aggregates
have been impermaneHt from the absence OF
those elements Of social stability upon which
the Conference OF men in masses depends.
Papuan is. when upon the seac0ast, essen
TALLY fisherman, taking his food from the
water by means Of nets shooting single fish
with arrows or narcOtIZing them by the root
OF species Of millctia His weapons Of war
and the chase consist Of bow bone pointed
spear, aud club IN the latter occupation snares
aud pitfalls are constantly employed. Gala
1 basles, boxes Of wood, or shells Of the nautilus,
wooden spoons, earthcnware pots some few
iron implements fashioned exclusively on the
west coast Of New Guinea from ore smelted by
means Of a Malay bellows, mats Of all kinds, a
few cotton fabrics principally appropriated by
the chiefs small knives and his pillow OF wood
are ali the household utensils Of home manu-
iadure, bat many Others are obtained in trade
The rudimcnts Of social, political, and re-
/ ligi0us systems show themselves distinctly in
this race and viii therefore afford an oppor.
1 tuuity for discussing these subjects in their
origin aud elementary forms in the second part
Of the description.