ion, seems to represent
to their minds the article (_e.g._, a pig) which is counted, rather
than a step in a process of mental addition. But this is a matter upon
which I can only express myself in a very general way; and indeed the
mental stage at which the mere physical idea of the objects counted
has developed into the abstract idea of numbers would in any case be
exceedingly difficult to ascertain, or even, perhaps, to define.

They never use pebbles or sticks or anything else of that kind,
and have no method of recording numbers or anything else by notching
sticks; and they have no weights or measures.

Currency and Trade.

The Mafulu people have no currency in the true sense, every transaction
being one of exchange; but nevertheless some specific articles,
especially some of the dearer ones, can only be acquired by the
offering of certain other specific articles, and certain things have
definite recognised relative values for the purpose of exchange.

As examples of the former of these statements, I may say that a pig
used to be always paid for in dogs' teeth--though this practice is
not now, I think, so strict--and that some of their finer head feather
dancing ornaments and ornamental nose pieces can still only be paid for
in dogs' teeth; also that there is a special kind of feather ornament,
composed of many small feathers fixed in a line on a string, which can
only be obtained in exchange for a particular sort of shell necklace.

As examples of recognised relative values, I may state that the proper
payment in dogs' teeth for a pig is a chain of dogs' teeth equal in
length to the body of the pig, the latter being measured from the
tip of its nose to the base of its tail; and that the payment for
the special feather ornament is its own length of the corresponding
shell necklace.

Exchange and barter is generally only engaged in between members of
different communities, and not between those of the same community. An
apparent exception to this arises in the purchase of pigs at certain
ceremonies above referred to; but in this case it is really a matter of
ceremony, and not one of ordinary barter. There are no regular markets,
such as exist in some other parts of the country, the exchange of goods
being effected by one or more individuals going with their articles
of exchange to some other community, where they hope to get what they
require. The nearest approach to a market arises intermittently when
ther