20Z Defcrlption of the IjJdJid of Borneo. 



Thefe people, however, before they undertake expeditions 

 of this kind in queft of Banjerefe heads, always endeavour to 

 deduce feme omen of good or bad fortune from the flight of 

 a kind of hawk ''. With this view they entice the bird to 

 perch on the ground, by ftrewing rice on it, and by other 

 means ; and if he wheels round when he rifes, and difappears 

 in the clouds, or flies towards that quarter to which they in- 

 tend to proceed, they confider it aa a flgn of good fortune, 

 aiid they fet out with frefh courage: but if the bird dire6ls 

 its flight towards a quarter oppoflte to that to which they 

 wjfh to gOj they defer the expedition till a more favourable 

 opportunity. It often happens that they muft wait two or 

 three days before fuch a feathered prophet appears to inform 

 them when they are to expeA good fortune. 



The Biadjoos have fcarcely any form of government, and 

 no written laws. If a perfon is accufed of theft, and if fuffi- 

 cient proof cannot be adduced againft him, the culprit and 

 the accufer are carried before one of the oldefl: inhabitants. 

 An earthen pot with afhes and water is placed on the ground, 

 and a bit of wood, on which are depofited two fmall copper 

 buttons, is laid acrofs the pot. After an oath has been ad- 

 miniftered to each of the parties, the bit of wood is turned 

 round in fuch a manner that the buttons fall into the water j 

 the accufed and the accufer muft then each draw one of the 

 buttons from it, and he whofe button appears as if fcoured, 

 and rendered white by the aflies, gains the procefs. 



It is laid that the Biadjoos have fome idea of a Supreme 

 Being, to whom they addrefs prayers under the name of 

 Dewatta ; and as they believe that this Dewatta not only 

 created, but ftill preferves and rules the world, they requeft 

 him to grant them happinefs and profperity. Refpefting 

 the notions which they entertain of this deitv, and the par-- 

 ticular worfhip they pay to him, I can give no further ac-- 

 count. If we may judge from the character of thefe people, 

 their deity muft be a gloomy and revengeful being : no na- 

 tion on the earth have a greater propenfity to murder and 

 revenge. 



When a married woman commits adultery, and is dif- 



* f alco Milvus. 



covered 



