Voyages of the Dutch brig of war Dourga

by D. H. Kolff

15. Trepang bilala. This is black, and the only species that is flat.

16. Trepang massee.

17. Trepang katjang goreng. This is small, and is also cured with the bark of the kayu bankudu.

18. Trepang kuwas.

19. Trepang puti. This sort is small, and of a whitish colour.

After the trepang is caught, it is immediately boiled in sea-water, in which the leaves of the papya are steeped, to take off a thin skin which covers it. It is then placed in baskets or holes, and covered up with earth until the following morning, when it is washed repeatedly to deprive it as much as possible of the disagreeable taste of coral which it possesses, after which it is spread out on mats, and dried. Even then it is not entirely free from the unpleasant flavour which is peculiar to all holothuries or polypes, for which reason the Chinese, before making it up into soups or ragouts, boil it with sugar-cane.

The Arafuras sell the trepang to the Bughis and others by the ukur, a measure containing about half a picul. The traders sort the trepang, there being a great difference in the value of the various kinds. The price of the first sort in China is one hundred and twenty Spanish dollars the picul, while the various sorts mixed together can be purchased at the back of the islands, as the eastern parts are called, at the rate of ten to fifteen Spanish dollars the picul. The number of the traders, who now visit the Arrus, has caused the price of this article to increase considerably above that which was formerly given. When the people of Banda had the trade exclusively in their hands, a picul of trepang might be obtained for a sarong, or piece of cloth of the value of eight guilders, and twenty birdsnests for a chopping-knife; while now the latter, which will weigh less than a kati, or 1-1/4lb., cannot be purchased for less than from fourteen to eighteen guilders. These articles would, however, still yield a large profit were it not necessary to remain among the Arrus for a period of four months to collect a cargo of any importance. On this account small brigs and paduakans only are employed in the trade, as their expense is less than that of larger vessels.

Vorkay, an island lying exposed to the ocean at the south-eastern extremity of the group, is of great importance from its pearl fishery. At a distance of eight miles to the eastward lay several small islands, between which and Vorkay the trepang banks are situated. At low water hundreds of men, with their wives and children, may be perceived wading from Vorkay towards these islets, (the water being only two or three feet deep,) carrying a basket at their backs, and having in their hands a stick provided with an iron point. When the water is deeper than this, they make use of canoes. For fishing on the banks situated at a greater distance, the Arafuras use a prahu, constructed for the purpose, in which they embark their entire family. These vessels have a very strange appearance. They have great beams, and the stern runs up into a high curve, while two planks project forward from the bows. The family resides in three or four huts, composed of atap or palm leaves, erected within the vessel, and a railing runs entirely round it, apparently to prevent the children from falling overboard. The prahu is propelled by a large sail made of rushes, which folds up like a fan, (in a similar manner to the sails of the Chinese junks), set upon a tripod mast of bamboos, while it is steered by two rudders. Two other masts are also erected, which answer no purpose but that of displaying several small flags.

As I have already stated, it is almost impossible for a large ship to approach the eastern side of the Arrus, as in all parts banks and reefs stretch far out to sea. There are, however, a few small openings, through which a brig may enter; but it is absolutely necessary to have an Arafura pilot on board.

Among the chief villages on Vorkay, are Old and New Affara, Longa, Uri and Goor, before the last of which lies a great pearl bank. The natives informed me that it was exhausted, and that they had not fished it for two years; but this was probably a mis-statement, which they were induced to make owing to the difficulties attending the fishery. They said that they only obtained from it large mother-of-pearl shells for the Chinese market, and that they did not find pearls inside them. The true pearl oyster is small, with a thin shell.