Q PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. vol.xxxv. 



rials, into this, that, or the other: but one characteristic remains — the 

 material is pliant and pliable and is used by bending it into place. 



Another step in the structural history of textiles before reaching 

 the functional stage, may be called the " technic," under which the 

 material becomes a knot, a braid, a chain, a twine, a weft, a coil, a 

 lacing — all done by hand, without loom or other substitute for hand- 

 work, and all assembled as contributors in that intricate composition 

 called basketwork. 



Under function, two things come to pass: The true basketwork 

 multiplies its offices and becomes walls, floor, matting, and roof for 

 the house: hat, shoe, garment, and adornment for the body; covering 

 and offering for the dead; the minister of industries and decorative 

 an-, where it is no longer receptacle nor vehicle. (See Uses.) 



It is in this broad acceptation that the word basketwork is here 

 used. Whatever processes have been absorbed by the basket-maker 

 will be taken into consideration, no matter if they be employed else- 

 where. Indeed, some of the prettiest examples of basketwork are to 

 be found on shields, shafts of spears, hilts of edged weapons, and in 

 personal ornaments. They also furnish motives for the carver and 

 painter. 



The term "Malaysian basketwork" will be made comprehensive 

 enough to cover all textile work that is loomless. As one example 

 among many, the bamboo stem is not basketwork, but (1) its joints 

 are made into receptacles and vehicles: (2) basketwork will be put 

 on them before they can be useful; and (3) the tough and flexible 

 and beautiful outer surface renders a wide range of textile services. 

 The same may be said of the pandanus and other leaves, which lend 

 themselves to basketry, so everything made of them may be studied 

 in basketwork. 



Marsden (p. 55) says that baskets, " bronong baccole," are a con- 

 siderable part of the furniture of a Sumatran house and the number is 

 the token of the owner's wealth. In them his harvests of rice or 

 pepper are gathered and brought home. They are made of slices of 

 bamboo connected by means of split rattans, and are carried chiefly 

 by the women, on the back, supported by a string or band across the 

 forehead. 



Bastwork. — (See Barkwork. ) 



Beading. — Ribbon-like strips of pretty material run into open 

 basketwork, for decoration. 



Bejueo. — Also Behuco. (See Calami/*.) 



J!, laying. — The process thus named by sailors is used by the Abbott 

 peoples a- an ornamental knotwork on the borders of baskets, which 

 seems to be the original meaning of overlaying. The Dyak basket- 

 makers tuck the moving part under the passive parts in passing and 



