I could not avoid observing that the women of Roma though tall and well made, and not inferior in point of personal attractions to those of the adjacent islands, yet have a defect in their figures where their fair neighbours are particularly favoured by nature. Nearly all the women we saw here, even those who were nursing children, had bosoms as flat as those of the men, while in every other respect their figures are unexceptionable. This striking peculiarity, is perhaps to be attributed to some local cause, like the _goitre_ in the mountains of Switzerland. Our departure was fixed for the 30th of June, and on the previous evening a farewell repast was given at the Kota Compania, at which all the chiefs were present. I had contributed some bottles of wine, and a small cask of arrack to the entertainment, and these were expended in drinking prosperity to the Dutch nation and government. We returned on board betimes, escorted by a number of native prahus. Although we had been amply provided with stock and vegetables during our stay, several goats and hogs were sent after us, which we found it impossible to refuse. We steered to the westward along Nusa Midta, which is a small uninhabited island covered with trees, but not affording any fresh water. On this and the other islands around Roma abundance of large turtle are caught by the natives, who do not, however, turn much attention to fishing, commerce and agriculture being better suited to their tastes. In the small but important islands which we visited, the natives might soon be brought into a high state of prosperity, from which our government would derive the greatest benefit. Even now they possess capacious vessels, such as Paduakans,[14] Orang-baays and such like, which they manage with skill, but they have been so long deprived of the protection of our government that they scarcely dare to carry on a trade with the inhabitants of the neighbouring islands. From this place we pursued our voyage towards the island of Damma, of which some particulars will be given in the ensuing chapter. FOOTNOTES: [Footnote 13: Corporal Duif erected this building in the year 17..] [Footnote 14: Paduakans are native vessels, having a single mast in the form of a tripod, on which is set a large oblong mat sail, similar to that used by the fishing prahus of Batavia. They are of from twenty to one hundred tons burden (_ten tot fifty lasten_) with great beam and high sides, but having little hold in the water. They are steered by two long rudders, which are lifted up when the vessel is at anchor or passing over shallow water.] CHAPTER VI. DAMMA.