A VIRGIN JUNGLE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3142, 11 February 1911, Page 11

A VIRGIN JUNGLE.

ABODE OF PYGMIES AND BIRDS OF PARADISE.

One of the I'cav unexplored parts of the Avcrld, the virgin jungle in Dutch New Guinea (the tropical island north of Australia), Avhieh liars the progress of British explorers toAvards the SnoAV AhrantivMis, is described in a letter received by Reuter’s Agency. Mr. GoodfeiloAA', leader of the. party, is on his Avay home oAving to illness, Avhicli is decimating the coolies. Captain RaAvling and Dr. Eric Marshall (one of the Shackleton Polar party) are still struggling to tlieir goal. “It is virgin jungle never before trodden hv the foot of man: to its hidden depths the natives are complete strangers ; the pygmies from the hills shun it; and the natives from the loAvlands fear it. Hie outskirts and more open, parts bordering the river are fequentecl by cassc-Avay (a kind of emu), boar, and Avallaby" (a small kind of kangaroo), and are the haunt of the greater bird of paradise, Avhose shrill, joyous call enlivens these dark depths. Less than a mile from the river it is impossible to stand at any spot Avithout being touched on every side bv tree, stems.

“It is the haunt of all creeping things, from the deadly puff adder to the greater, yet comparatively harmless, python. Noxious insects abound, and leeches SAvarm on the saturated, moist-ridden trees and undergroAvth. Everything decaying: no air seems to circulate there, and Avhat little there is is fetid and stifling. Dismal, dark, dripping! Four Aveeks arduous Avork has resulted in the cutting of 5900 yards (3:1 miles) of road.” Dr. E. Marshall describes the liatße Avonian: “She ‘drags up’ children, cuts the fircAVood, brings in the sago, Avorks the canoes, cccasoinai'y proving her skill as a warrior in the family or village quarrels, and always coming off best with her tongue. ’She is usually content with astrip of bark cloth. When in mourning she dispenses GA'en with this. “Pygmies averaging 4ft Gin to 4ft Sin in height, Avild. shv. and treacherous. Avander over' the hills and mountains. They cl aa'o 11 in the rudest kind of lean-to lints, made of branches and fanpainis, AA’ith no regular villages, but move from district to district in search of food.”