, pp. 136 to 138) to its use by the Koita for the
protection of cocoanuts and other trees and firewood, and as part of
the protective sign for new gardens. The use of the wisp by the Mafulu
people, as above described, is not a taboo used for the protection
of an object from human interference, being intended to protect
the travellers in some way from the spirit or spirits haunting the
spot. But there is, I think, an underlying similarity of superstitious
ideas involved by the two purposes for which the wisps are used.

[112] _Melanesians of British New Guinea_, p. 281.

[113] _The Melanesians_, p. 203.

[114] Seligmann, _Melanesians of British New Guinea_, p.85.

[115] I imagine a somewhat similar superstitious origin may be assumed
as regards the idea of general purification (I of course do not refer
to mere physical surface washing) by bathing: and Father Egedi says
(_Anthropos_, Vol. V., p. 755) that the Kuni people, after a cannibal
feast, had to confine themselves until the end of the moon which
commenced before the feast to certain food, and that they then all
bathed in running water and returned purified and free to eat any food.

[116] Apparently flying foxes are good omens in Tubetube (Southern
Massim). See Seligmann's _Melanesians of British New Guinea_, p. 653.

[117] This is very different from the extensive food taboo restrictions
which Father Egedi told me were placed upon the bachelors of Mekeo.

[118] Dr. Seligmann puts their average stature at 60.5 in. (_Lancet,_
Feb. 17th, 1906, p. 427), which is less than the Mafulu average of
61.1 in. given by me above.

[119] Dr. Seligmann puts their average cephalic index calculated
from fifteen measurements at 78 (_Geographical Journal_, Vol. XXVII.,
p. 234), which is below the Mafulu average cephalic index of 80 given
by me above.

[120] Father Egedi thinks that the Lapeka people have some Pokau
blood in them. Their language is a mixture of Kuni and Mekeo.

[121] Seligmann's _Melanesians of British New Guinea_, p. 16.

[122] _Geographical Journal_, Vol. XXVI I., p. 235.

[123] _Ibid._

[124] _Geographical Journal_, Vol. XXVII., p. 235.

[125] P. 236.

[126] _Ibid._

[127] _Geographical Journal_, Vol. XXVII., p. 235.

[128] _Nature_, 9 June, 1910, p. 434.

[129] The Rev. Father Egedi's Vocabulary of Oru Lopiko gives the
pronouns thus:

Singular. Plural.

1st Person, _na_, _naro_. _dae_, _daro_.
2nd Person, _ni_, _niro_. _a