Ethnograijhy of Micronesia. 



137 



Fig. 61. — Basket from Yap. 



spractisod by both sexes more extensively than smoking. This habit 

 eems to have prevailed in Palau when Captain Wilson visitedt 

 it, for lie writes : " The 

 beetle-nut they had in 

 abundance, and made 

 great use of it, though 

 only wlien green ; con- 

 trary to the practice of 

 the people of India, who 

 never use it but when 

 dry."i 



Before chewing the betel-nut (fruit of Areca catJiecu) they cut 

 it lengthwise in two and roll one part in a leaf of the betel- 

 pepper sprinkled over with lime. Soon after they have begun to 

 chew it, you will observe them spitting reddish brown saliva wàth 

 their mouth dyed the same colour. It is a sort of stimulant, which 

 they seem unable to abstain from, for they are always seen chew- 

 ing it, whether at home or abroad, wiiether talking, walking or 

 resting. In the club-house for chiefs of Palau, there are small 

 holes bored on the floor, one before each seat, through which they 

 spit. The teeth of habitual chewers gradually turn black in colour, 

 wliilo the lips become dark red. 



The old men and w^omen are unable to chew the nut as it 

 is, so they pound it in a mortar before using it. According to 

 Fay- Cooper Cole,^ a smaU mortar and pestle are employed by 

 aged members of the Bagobo tribe of Davao District, Mindanao, 

 in pounding betel-nuts. 



The Hme above referred to is obtained by burning fragments 



1 G. Kente, "The Pelew Islands," p. 299. 



- Fay-Cooper Cole, " The Wild Tribes of Davao District, llindanao," p. 70 ; PI. XVII. b. 



