Notes on the Ethnographical Specimens 
COLLECTED BY ])R. A. MacTiER PiRRIE 
BY 
1). J. Vallance 
Curutor, The Koyal Scottish Jluseum, Edinburgh 
The illustrations shown in Plates XLIV.-XLVIII. have been prepared from the 
specimens collected by Dr. MacTier Pirrie while travelling on the route described by 
Dr. Waterston and shown in Fig. 105. The objects, with few exceptions, are from three 
tribes—the Shilluks and the Dinkas, who occupy most of the land on the hanks of the 
White Nile south of Melut, and the Buruns, whose country lies to the north of the Eiver 
Sobat. A few objects are from the Nuer tribe living along and to the south of that river. 
Nearly one half of the collection comes from the Burun country, a district which has Representative 
been so little explored that few specimens illustrating the habits and handicrafts of the 
people are to be found in ethnographical collections. The material for reference Burun 
and comparison is, therefore, still limited, and some detailed information as to the habits 
and conditions of life of these people is to be desired. It will, however, be noticed that the 
Burun objects, gathered together by Dr. Pirrie, are fairly representative of the belongings of 
a native people. The specimens include weapons, dress, musical instruments, tobacco pipes. 
K W. Pkmcik " 
Fi$. IftJ 
Shillok wearing Circular Head-dress 
surgical and medical appliances, as well as a few objects of domestic use. The Burun 
arrows (Plate XLV., fig. 9), with their gourd sheath to protect the points, are notched to Poisoned 
receive poison and probably also to allow of the point breaking off and remaining in the 
wound. Unfortunately there is no how or shield ; these would also he an essential part 
