of Seria
a party from Delena danced the "Cassowary" dance; and Father Egedi
says it is certainly so called because its movements are in some way
an imitation of those of the cassowary.

[95] Compare the Western Papuans, who, according to Dr. Seligmann,
also have only two numerals, but who are apparently not able to
count to anything like the extent which can be done by the Mafulu
(_Melanesians of British New Guinea_, p. 4). According to Mr. Monckton
the Kambisi (Chirima valley) people only count on their fingers and
up to ten, not on their toes and up to twenty (_Annual Report_, June,
1906, p. 89). Father Egedi told me that the Mekeo people only count
on their fingers and up to ten.

[96] I believe that in Mekeo they begin with the left hand and with
the small finger, thus reversing the Mafulu order of counting; but
I am not quite certain as to this.

[97] Though here and afterwards I use the word "man," it must be
understood that the notes apply to deaths of women also.

[98] This food taboo is with the Mafulu only an optional alternative;
but it may be compared with the corresponding food taboo placed
upon all the relatives of the deceased by the Koita (see Seligmann's
_Melanesians of British New Guinea,_ p. 164).

[99] I was told of this Mafulu practice as being adopted only on the
death of the woman's child. But the custom is referred to by the Mekeo
Government Agent (Mr. Giulianetti) in the _Annual Report_ for June,
1900, pp. 73 and 78; and, according to him, its adoption applies
also to deaths of other relatives--husband, father, and mother being
especially mentioned by him--and he suggests that there are rules
as regards these amputations, and says he understood that a mother
would cut off the first joint for her children, and the second for
her husband, father, or mother. He also gives information as to the
way in which the amputation is effected.

[100] The sticks are seen in the plates, having been placed on the
grave before the photographs were taken.

[101] I am not aware of any ground for believing that the community
invited is one with which intermarriage is specially common. Indeed,
as stated above, I do not think that there are special matrimonial
relationships between communities.

[102] _Melanesians of British New Guinea,_ p. 13.

[103] I was told that in the Mekeo mourning-removal ceremony each of
the persons wearing the insignia of mourning has to go through the
ceremony, which consists