Arrow (top), of reed and wood, from Tanna, Vanuatu; part of the Forster collection (part of Forster 152; 1886.1.1184)

Composite arrow with shaft of reed with dark wooden head tapering to a point. A binding of coconut fibre and resin at the tip of the wooden part of the arrow would have held a bone point. The wooden part of the arrow is held on to the reed shaft with a binding of plant fibre, possibly hibiscus bast (Hibiscus tiliaceus). The end of the reed shaft is notched, and there is a binding of plant fibre below the notch to prevent the reed from splitting

• Museum database entry.