160 



THE POPULAR EDUCATOR. 



ful bows, crossbows, and bow-and-arrow traps for wild beasts are 

 made from bamboos, the arrows and bow-strings being also made 

 from the same material (see Fig. 7), as are knives of considerable 

 cutting power. The handles of the celebrated Indian hog-spears 

 are also made from the male bamboo, or that which has little or 

 no cavity within it, whilst the female cane is that from which 

 water-pipes and buckets are made. Very useful and even elegant 

 baskets are made from the outside layers of this kind of cane, 

 split up into filaments, and wa have seen fish-traps or cages of 

 very large size and of the most exquisite proportions made from 

 one single cane-joint ; the tubular portion of the joint being 

 divided into fine wire-like strands, worked into a delicate species 

 of basket-work of trumpet form, whilst the internodo at the 

 small end remained as an unbroken ring or neck through which 

 to introduce the bait. The mouth of the trumpet is provided 

 with an arrangement akin to that made use of in our wire 

 mouse-traps. Ingress is extremely easy, but escape next to 



Holes of different sizes are bored in canes of various diameters, 

 in such a way that as the freshening breeze comes sweeping 

 through the grove, notes and cadences of surpassing sweetness 

 and plaintive melody are given forth, swelling with the breeze, 

 and sinking to a mere thrilling murmur as it dies away, and, like 

 some ^Eolian harp of giant proportions, fills the forest with 

 mysterious music. This truly natural reed-organ is by the 

 natives who help to form it called the Bala Perindu, or the 

 reed of sweet sounds. Another instrument, far less melodious, 

 although of considerable power, is formed from cane-joints of 

 different sizes. These are arranged size after size, and when 

 played on are struck with a sort of mallet or hammer, after the 

 manner of the rock harmonicon. This sonorous contrivance is 

 much used by the Malays, by whom it is called the Ankal&ng. The 

 common Pandean pipe, so familiar as a musical accompaniment to 

 the drum as played in our own bye-streets, is made from different 

 sized bamboo-joints, and is, so to speak, a wind ankalong. Flutes, 



impossible. One of these cane fish-traps is shown at Fig. 8, in 

 our illustration. 



The interiors of all the large female or hollow canes are 

 covered with a white, satin-like lining. This, when removed and 

 properly treated, is by the Chinese converted into a strong 

 and useful kind of paper. The Chinese umbrellas, so common 

 in the museums of the curious, are entirely composed of bam- 

 boo handle, ribs, covering, and all. Narrow wells of consider- 

 able depth are formed by the Orientals, by first spliting up the 

 end of a bamboo into several splints or tongues. These, when 

 driven forcibly up and down in the earth, gather and hold 

 together stones, earth, and sar.d. When full, the well-stick is 

 brought out of the hole, freed from its contents, and again set 

 in action, until the required depth is reached and water obtained. 

 En the prosecution of t^e Eastern fisheries the bamboo is of the 

 greatest value. Masts, spars, platforms, and fishing rafts are 

 made from it, as are the quaint-looking little huts or watch- 

 houses which, perched aloft on sets of leg-like poles, serve as 

 shelters for the patient sentinels who watch the nets. Certain 

 of the Malayan tribes make use of a very ingenious expedient 

 for the production of musical sounds from the growing bamboos. 



fifes, and reeds for clarionets are easily made from bamboo. 

 The manuscripts in most Eastern lands are executed with cane 

 pens (Fig. 9) instead of quills ; and in snake-infested districts 

 the pedestrian usually provides himself with a bamboo which has 

 had several slits made in its end, in order that, as the small 

 particles of gravel and sand enter, the walking staff becomes a 

 sort of hand rattle, which effectually alarms the night-prowling 

 cobra di capello from the path. It has been said that the inha- 

 bitants of most Eastern lands live under a ligneous government, 

 and there is much truth in the statement. The bamboo is, in 

 fact, the right arm of the executive powers, civil, military, and 

 domestic, and nothing can be done without it. From the build- 

 ing of the most costly palace to the punishment of the street 

 pickpocket, bamboo is the ruling and ever present element. In 

 peace or war, in sickness or in health, from infancy to old age, 

 bamboo and the Oriental man are inseparable companions. 

 Destroy the former, and the latter sinks into hopeless poverty, 

 despair, and destitution. With it to aid him, he makes a bold 

 and effectual stand against life's ills and troubles. 



A consideration of the lesser members of the grass, reed, and 

 rush family must be reserved for a future number. 



