[Note: this transcription was produced by an automatic OCR engine]

I 272 WITH NATIVES IN THE WESTERN PACIFIC

to make large pieces, but are satisfied with narrow
strips, used as belts by the men, and prettin painted
in black and red.

The dress of the men is similar to that of
Malekula, that of the women consists of an apron
of grass and straw; and they often wear a hat of
banana leaves, while the men affect a very complicated
coiffure. The hair is divided into strands, each
of which is wound with a fibre from the head out.
A man may have several hundred of these ropes on
his head all tied together behind, giving a somewhat
womanish appearance. It takes a long time to
dress the hair thus, and the custom is falling into
disuse.

On the Whole, the culture of the Tannese is low;
there is no braiding or carving, and the ornaments
worn consist only of a few bracelets and necklaces,
with an occasional nose-stick; the only conspicuous
feature are ear-rings of tortoise-shell, of which as
many as a dozen may hang in one ear.

On the other side of Tanna is Lenakel, where
the Rev. W. was working with admirable devotion
and success in a hospital. I crossed the island
several times, and enjoyed the delightful rides
through the shady forest, on very good bridle-paths
the natives had made.

Tanna’s most striking sight is its volcano; there
is hardly another in the world so easily accessible;
for in half an hour from the shore its foot may be
reached, and in another half-hour one is at the top.
It is about 260 m. high, a miniature volcano, with