[155] New Betel nut will lose, during a voyage to China, from eight to ten per cent.
[156] I understand that a large quantity of the Areka-nut is grown upon the Pelew islands, and could be procured in barter for tobacco, rum, and other articles; this was ascertained by a vessel which visited those islands in 1830. The natives of this group of islands also use it as a masticatory.
[157] It is also by a combination of substances that the Otaheitans produce a red dye from the fruit of a species of Ficus, called Matti, and the leaves of a species of Cordia, called “Tou.”
[158] I have often seen on this coast, as well as in Java, small bunches of the abortive fruit, taken from the spathe of the Areka palm, placed as an ornament at the stern and bows of the native boats.
[159] It was stated to me that sandal wood can be procured at Acheen as well as other parts of the north-east coast, and is sold by the large pecul or bar (which is equal to three peculs) at twenty-four dollars the bar.
[160] It is mentioned in Labillardières Voyage, (Eng. Transl. 8vo. vol. i. p. 358,) that at Amboyna “I saw, on my return, a white negro, a Papuan man by birth; he had light hair, his skin was white, and marked with reddish freckles, like those of the Europeans who have red hair; but he was not weak-sighted, as is generally the case with other Albinos”.