re more likely to find pig and kangaroo, as beef and mutton
were articles unknown in that region. I bid him and his officers
farewell, and returned to the _Dugong_, I felt greatly relieved at the
thought that Captain Davenport would now hear of our safety, and hoped
before long to meet him and his kind wife at Singapore. I told Mr
Hooker that I had been offered some of the shark's flesh, but had
declined receiving it.

"Had he presented a Chinese with the fins, he would have been
overwhelmed with gratitude, as they are considered almost as delicate
morsels as the edible birds' nests," said Mr Hooker. "The creature in
many parts is caught for the sake of his fins alone, which are sent to
China in large quantities, where they are used in the same way that the
birds' nests and tripang are employed, though they rank next to birds'
nests in value. They are of the same gelatinous consistency, and are
made into soups and ragouts."

Dobbo, being exposed, to the sea-breezes, is healthy, and a good
anchorage is found close to it. The place presented an animated
appearance, as traders from all parts of the archipelago assemble there.
The buildings they inhabited were not, however, pretentious, being
composed of bamboo and reeds; while many of the traders considered
clothes somewhat superfluous. On the shore a number of prows were
hauled up and being refitted for sea. Caulkers were at work on some;
painters on others, who were covering them with a thick white lime
plaster, making them look very clean and bright. Sailmakers, who
looked, however, more like mat-makers, were at work in some places. The
tripang--black ugly lumps--was being exposed to the sun to be prepared
for loading. In another spot people were busy tying up bundles of
mother-of-pearl shell. Carpenters were engaged in squaring timber for
repairing vessels; while boats from the islands of Goram and Ceram were
unloading their cargoes of sago-cake, with which the traders supply
themselves for their homeward voyage. We were amused with the vast
number of different cockatoos, lories, and parrots, which were secured
by strings on bamboo perches in front of the numerous reed huts, all
chattering and talking together, as if carrying on some important
consultation; while beautiful metallic-green or white fruit-pigeons were
uttering their pleasing coos in all directions. These people are
evidently fond of tame creatures, for we saw several beautiful little
kangar