VI 



AGRICULTURE 109 



The sunbeam which enters this hole is called klepiU 

 toll ( = the blow-pipe of the spirit). 



Some of the Klemantans practise a third method 

 to determine when the time for sowing is at hand, 

 using a bamboo some feet in length which bears a 

 mark at a level which is empirically determined. 

 The bamboo is filled with water while in the vertical 

 position. It is then tilted till it points towards a 

 certain star, when of course some water escapes. 

 After it has been restored to the vertical, the level 

 of the surface of the remaining water is 'noted. 

 The coincidence of this level with the mark 

 mentioned above indicates that the time for sowing 

 is come. 



The Sea Dayaks are guided by the observation 

 of the position of the Pleiades. 



The appropriate season having been determined, 

 it is necessary to secure good omens before the 

 preparation of the land can be begun. A pig and 

 a fowl having been sacrificed in the usual way, and 

 their blood sprinkled upon the wooden figures 

 before the house, ^ two men are sent out in a boat, 

 and where they first see a spider-hunter they land 

 on the bank and go through the customary pro- 

 cedures. The calls and appearances of various birds 

 and of the muntjac are of chief importance. Some 

 of these are good, some bad in various degrees. 

 When a preponderance of favourable omens has 

 been observed, the men return to the house to 

 announce their success. They will wait two whole 

 days if necessary to secure a favourable result. 

 During their absence a strict malan or lali (tabu) 

 lies upon the house ; no stranger may enter it, and 

 the people sit quietly in the house performing only 

 the most necessary tasks. The announcement of 

 the nature of the omens observed is made to the 

 chief in the presence of a deeply interested throng 



1 See Chap. X. 



