210 Two snakes, a spiked iguana, two species of tree frogs, and some more land snails were brought in today by the Kupei natives. January 17th. Hamlin's day on the mountain. Dawn-ed clear, but the clouds collected at noon and the rain followed soon afterwards. Dr. Drowne and I found a full day's work at the skinning bench. Our carriers returned from Kieta just after lunch. With them and the salt, tobacco, rice, and flashlight batteries came letters from Mr. Esson and Mr. Scririn. The former recounted an attack upon its author by one of the plantation laborers. The attack was made with a copra knife, and the man disappeared into the bush after three or four others had pounced on him. During the afternoon three maris and a man from Livilik came into camp with a new dish, tapioca paste sprinkled with shredded cocoanut. They also brought in two dozen odd land snails. The tapioca paste turned out to be marvelous and at supper time the three of us devoured the whole affair after coating it with cane syrup. Following shortly on the heels of the tapioca, three men from Siwi came up the trail with baskets to sell. Siwi is well-known for its fine baskets and root weaving, and these men, if they made their own baskets, must certainly be the foremost members of the guild. The root and fibre of a tree is bound tightly into a heavy thread and woven with minute stitches over the frame of