Scientific Serials

Abstract

Internationales Archiv für Ethnographie, Band viii. Heft iv.—This well-illustrated journal is steadily increasing in value and interest, as it is wider in its scope than it was at the commencement. Baron van Hoëvell, of Amboina, has a paper on a few notes on the kinds of the worship of gods in the south-western and south-eastern islands of the Malay Archipelago. Amongst other interesting information is a legend of the origin of two fetiches which are said to have fallen from heaven; one, which is called a sword, is probably a piece of old hoop-iron, and the other, a supposed spear-point, appears to be a piece of meteoric iron. There are also traces of a virginal conception through divine influence.—“Dogs and Primitive Folk” is the title of a comprehensive essay by Dr. B. Langkavel, in which he deals with dogs in folk custom and belief, the name as a term of reproach, ornaments derived from dogs, &c.—Dr. O. Frankfurter writes on dreams and their significance according to a Siamese dream-book.—J. D. E. Schmeltz has three communications on Papuan ethnography, of which the first, on objects from the Tugeri, is the most interesting. We are now beginning, to learn something definite about these ruthless pirates that harass the western coast population of British New Guinea. A bow, tobacco-pipe, drum, and two remarkable dance ornaments are figured; the latter are slabs of wood carved to represent a flying bird (?), and several lizards or crocodiles. He also describes a wood-carving of what appears to be an echidna and some ceremonial objects. The rest of the journal is occupied with the usual notes and notices.