[Note: this transcription was produced by an automatic OCR engine]
PORT OLRY AND A “SING-SING” 1I3
ing are the large scars which may frequently be seen
on the shoulders or breasts of the natives. The cuts
are supposed to cure internal pains; the scabs are
frequently scratched off, until the scar is large and
high, and may be considered ornamental. Apropos
of this medical detail I may mention another remedy,
for rheumatism: with a tiny bow and arrow a great
number of small cuts are shot into the skin of the
part affected; the scars from these wounds form a
network of fine, hardly noticeable designs on the
skin.
The life and cult of the natives are as simple as
their dress. The houses are scattered and hidden in
the bush, grouped vaguely around the gamal, which
stands alone on a bare square. No statues stand
there, nor tall, upright drums; only a few small drums
lie in a puddle around the gamal.
The dwelling-houses are simply gable-roofs,
always without side—walls and often without any walls
at all. They are divided into a pig-stable and a
living-room, unless the owners prefer to have their
pigs living in the same space with themselves.
A few flat wooden dishes are the only implements
the native does not find ready-made in nature.
Cooking is done with heated stones heaped around
the food, which has been previously wrapped up in
banana leaves. Lime-stones naturally cannot be used
for that purpose, and volcanic stones have often to be
brought from quite a distance, so that these cooking-
stones are treated with some care. In place of
