Coin is not current in this group. Gold and silver money is willingly received by them; but when once they get it into their hands they never pay it away again. Copper money is entirely unknown. For the purchase of small articles it is necessary for the stranger to have hanks of cotton twist, which is much in demand for the manufacture of thread. This is dyed of a red colour by the Bangkudu root,[43] which gives the thread a firm colour, at the same time increasing its strength and durability, and is afterwards wove into a stuff much in demand at the Ki and Arru Islands. The colours are usually dark red with cross stripes of blue. Large quantities of this cloth are manufactured on the Ceram and Goram Islands, the greater portion of the thread being obtained from Bali. The broad klewangs or hangers, manufactured on these islands, are also much in demand throughout the Archipelago of the Moluccas; in fact, their temper is excellent, being superior even to those made in Java. These swords are usually from two to three feet long, and beautifully flowered after the manner of the Damascene blades. The inhabitants rarely employ themselves in ship-building, but obtain their smaller prahus from the Ki Islands, and the larger ones from Bali. I have already described these vessels, and will only now remark the simplicity of the materials with which they are fitted out. A paduakan has only one sail, and is steered by two rudders (one on each quarter), which can readily be raised out of the water. The two cables, each from thirty to fifty fathoms long, are made of twisted rattans, and the anchors are composed of hard wood, having the flukes a little sharpened, and a large stone fastened to the stock. A small canoe is carried on the deck. The bottom of the vessel is covered with a composition of lime, and the top sides are painted with a black mixture made from burnt rattans and husks of cocoa-nuts. Some pots of fresh water, a little salt, a quantity of sago bread, and some fishing-hooks and lines, complete their equipments. The Goram Islands are rather high, and extremely fertile. Rice is grown on the main island; but the inhabitants of Manovolko and Salawatta dare not plant it, as its cultivation is considered as an exclusive hereditary right of the people of Goram. In the interior of the islands many fugitives from Bali and Sumbawa reside, who are forced to pay a slavish obedience to the old inhabitants. The wants of these people are few, and are supplied by the forests, which afford plenty of hogs and other wild animals; even snakes, as I was informed, being esteemed a delicacy among them.