ABSTRACT
T HE following is based on that given by the Spanish historian Dr Cabeza Pereiro, now supplemented by observations of my own made on the spot. The Yap group consists of one main island situated 1440 17' east longitude and 900 28' north latitude, with the islands of Map and Ramung to the north, which appear to have been torn away by volcanic forces, being only separated from each other by a narrow channel easily fordable at low tide. The other islets are called Tapelau, Engnoch, Tarrang, Obi, and Impakel. Yap is surrounded by a coral reef some thirty-five miles long and some five broad. The main island seems to owe its origin to an elevation of the sea bottom. Towards the north it is nearly cut in two at the isthmus of Girrigir. In the north and central part of the island there is a range of hills of slight elevation which does not exceed 1000 feet, and whose slopes distribute the rain-water to the low-lying districts. Rivulets (Lui) are very scarce, and when any considerable time passes without rain the water runs short. The population amounts to some 8000. The folk apparently belong to the Malay race, with a Dravidian substratum, and a slight mixture of Polynesian. Our Spaniard refers them to the Battak type, and declares that they are inclined to be hospitable, but revengeful in character when they conceive that their honour is insulted. Which may very well be so. They are not particularly
cordial to strangers, and they often fail to keep their word. Their character is peaceable and apathetic. They are fond of fishing, and their robustness of body and docile nature make them well adapted for all sorts of labour, though in general they are lazy Socially they are divided into four classes-magicians, nobles, rich men, and slaves. Their houses are solidly built of breadfruit and callophyllum wood, artistic in form, thatched with nipa palm and pandanus leaf. The walls are of light canes bound in rows with a cording of cinet or coconut fibre.
