Each Man Also Possesses A °Cadjan," Or Sleeping-Mat, Made
Of The Broad Leaves Of A Pandanus Neatly Sewn Together In- Three
Layers.
This mat is abort four feet square, and when folded has
one end sewn up, so that it forms a kind of sack open at one
side.
In the closed corner the head or feet can be placed, or by
carrying it on the head in a shower it forms both coat and
umbrella. It doubles up ix a small compass for convenient
carriage, and then forms a light and elastic cushion, so that on
a journey it becomes clothing, house, bedding, and furniture, all
in one.
The only ornaments in an Aru horse are trophies of the chase -
jaws of wild pigs, the heads and backbones of cassowaries, and
plumes made from the feathers of the Bird of Paradise, cassowary,
and domestic fowl. The spears, shields, knife-handles, and other
utensils are more or less carved in fanciful designs, and the
mats and leaf boxes are painted or plaited in neat patterns of
red, black, and yellow colours. I must not forget these boxes,
which are most ingeniously made of the pith of a balm leaf pegged
together, lined inside with pandanus leaves, and outside with the
same, or with plaited grass. All the joints and angles are
coffered with strips of split rattan sewn neatly on. The lid is
covered with the brown leathery spathe of the Areca palm, which
is impervious to water, and the whole box is neat, strong, and
well finished.
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