none of us had a watch, about 1000. We disembarked there, left Losima with the kai at the rest-house, and the rest of us, Ken, Van and I and five boys, went to the caves. They were perhaps a mile or a mile and a half away, through gardens and up a very steep escarpment which I found rather trying as it war greasy from the rains we have had. The entrance to the caves was through a narrow slit at the base of a bit of crag and after we had regained our breath, we girded ourselves with head- lights, gave torches to the boys (electric torches) and climbed in. Bats by thou- sands were flying there and their droppings landed like rain either on our heads or on the ground; Niko and Bili worked hard and we got the centipede which Crutwell had talked about, nothing especially odd - he lives in all caves - and some odd spiders and other things. But not a sign of a snake of any sort.- just not a sign. The walk back must have been about eight miles by foot, though not more than six on the map, and I was glad to get back, take a good wash, change my clothes and get at the rum ration. After we had penetrated the caves about fifty yards, we came to a place where two passages separated. Van, Kenn and the mammal boys took the right- hand side and Niko, Bili and I went along the other, to avoid being swiped in the eye by the branches and things which the mammal boys were waving around. We went along our passage about fifty or sixty yards and then came to an abrupt drop; I tossed a stone in and counted five seconds before I heard it land; the floor sounded hollow under blows of my snakdstick, so I decreed a hasty retreat and emerged into daylight at the same time as Ken, who was just about overcome with bat fumes. Niko and Bili continued for another quarter hour underground, and I am well satisfied with their work. The eight miles back had the usual proportion of log bridges and my feet suffered somewhat; I knew when I got back that I had been out for a walk. The motor of the Ruru broke down and she was back at Menapi before we were. 16 April. This day there is little to report and in a sunse little has been accom- plished. We have about exhausted the possibilities of Menapi but cannot move on just yet for a number of reasons. A forest botanist, John Womersley, and a Dutchman whom we met on the plane coming up from Brisbane, Hoogland by name, were supposed to join us herebut today a message came in to the effect that only Hoogland would arrive and he is at Baniara as I write. I don't know whether or not I mentioned him in this journal, but I formed an unfavorable impression of him. However he is Len's chicken. We don't know how long we are expected to take him around with us and we can do little ourselves until he shows up and we find out how long he will be staying. I felt a little tired and stiff after yesterday and therefore gaved myself some fairly hard exercise during the afternoon with the result that I am in good shape again now and most of the aches and pains have gone. This afternoon the Asst. District Officer from Samarai, who was in Baniara trying a couple of native offenders, came to call; he is a very pleasant fellow named Grove, but he left again early after looking over our activities. Tomorrow we expect Hoogland to show up and I shall be able to record whether the rest form the same opinion as I have. The Betty Ann is loading in Samarai on Friday, tomorrow, and coming straight to Menapi; she should bring the various stores we have on order and, more importatn, some more mail, and we shall be able to get mail our by her. 17 April. This, through no particular effort of my own, has turned out to be a fair collecting day but the southeast wind is blowing strongly again and nothing comes to the light-trap. The wind has been going as it did a few days ago and. doubtless, also as a few days ago, all of a sudden it will drop and I shall get another twelve thousand bugs in the light-traps. The Dutchman came in this afternoon just after we had lunch and I must confess that his behaviour has been exemplary. His equipment is not but that may be due to Govt. He brought a letter from Womers- ley damming him pretty thoroughly and he came without food, a tent, a boy or a light to see him into bed. But in all fairness, he has got through his first afternoon and evening without kishap, and I think we were all prepared to be critical. He in- gratiated himself by bringing in mail and I heard from Miriam and Dr. Goldsmith. In Miriam's letter there was enclosed a letter from nephew Bill who, in spite of geing in the Medical Corps, seems to be being put through a form of Commando training. Hoogland asked almost immediately on his arrival, if he could make the mountain