143 Arau Lowland influences are most apparent in the ravines and on river flats, where the undergrowth is largely of rain forest elements. Nothing of interest in Van's new traplines; last night's rain perhaps the reason. He has to date 30 spp. of mammals from the camp. Monday, October 26. Chartered Crowley Airways (Laurie Crowley) Cessna 170 for a survey flight to the Wantoat Valley in the Finisterres some 40 miles NE of Arau. Took off from Karanka airstrip at 7:40. Some cloud about but weather good. The Markham valley green after what must have been an unusually wet dry season there; big areas of foothill ridges on the eastern side had been burned within the last day or two (we got the smoke at Arau). Slipped through a gap in the very rugged fronting range of the Finisterres, circled the Wantoat Valley (drained by the Leron River) and landed. P/O Paul Conroy was away on patrol in mountains to the E. or S.E. Two police at the airstrip were smartly dressed and behaved smartly. Station looked well looked after. But the only relics of the original forest are in gorges. Some grassland, but most of the valley is second growth forest. Primary forest survives fairly high on the slopes. We could not spend more than about two weeks there and the expense of air charters and the organization of carriers' transport to reach the good forests would not be warranted. All slopes are very steep. The larger streams have cut down vertically in what appears to be unconsolidated materials (volcanic?). The beds of all rivers issuing on the Markham side of the Finisterres are broad washes carrying braided streams. The range is rapidly wearing away and filling the Markham Valley. Crowley landed me at Kainantu at the end of the flight (c. 1 hour, 16 pounds), where I waited until nearly 1 o'clock for the arrival of the Landrover and the rest of our party from Arau. Lunched at the hotel, took on stores for two weeks, and left the town about 2:45 p.m. A bridge is out on the short road to Kassam, so we were obliged to travel the extra 9 miles via Aiyura and Arona. Called in at the experiment station at Aiyura and saw John Barrett. He had had a fine catch of moths with the ultra-violet light two nights ago. Showed me 23 numbers of plants of the alpine and subalpine collected on his visit to Mt. Wilhelm last month. All common species, but well selected and dried. Arrived at Kassam about 5 p.m., where we have the use of a European-type house at the prison camp. House not very well designed, but it is luxury for us and there is ample room for working and living space. Kassam Camp houses long-term native prisoners from the two Territories who work on the maintenance of the motor road over the range and down the escarpment to Water Rice on the Markham, a distance of about 6 miles. Now 26 prisoners in charge of a native corporal of police from Misima. Place well cared for and the prisoners do not appear to be leading a particularly hard life. Talked with Zigas and Maa in Kainantu. Maa will spend a week with us at Kassam, beginning on Wednesday. Heard in town that Zigas, tomorrow at Henganofi, will be honored with a "breaking of the sugar" sing-sing. This is a very rare honor in recognition of his work on kuru.