LIFE IN THE JUNGLE 153 



cut into the stem with a small long-bladed axe, 

 making a deep small hole. An expert, generally 

 a Punan, then smells the hole and gives an opinion 

 as to the chances of finding camphor within it. If 

 he gives a favourable opinion, the tree is cut down 

 and broken in pieces as described above. On 

 cutting down the tree, an oil which smells strongly 

 of camphor sometimes pours out and is collected. 

 The party remains lali until the collection of the 

 camphor is completed ; no stranger may enter their 

 hut or speak with them. The practice of collecting 

 camphor in this way is probably a very ancient one,^ 

 whereas the collection of gutta and rubber has been 

 undertaken only in recent years in response to the 

 demands of the European market. 



Many varieties of the rattan palm grow luxuriantly 

 in the forests of Borneo, some attaining a length 

 of 150 to 200 feet. It is a creeper which makes 

 its way towards the light, suspending itself to 

 branches and twigs by means of the curved spines 

 which prolong the midribs of the leaves. The cane 

 is collected by cutting through the stem near its 

 root, and hauling on it, several men combining 

 their efforts. The piece cut down is dragged 

 through the jungle to the river-bank. There it 

 is cut into lengths of fifteen feet, i.e. two and a half 

 spans, and dried in the sun. If the sap is thoroughly 

 dried out, the cane assumes a permanent yellow 

 colour ; but if any is left, the cane darkens when 

 soaked in water. When a large number of bundles 

 has been collected, they are bound together to form 

 a raft. On this a hut is erected, and two or three 

 men will navigate the raft down river to the Chinese 

 bazaar, which is to be found in the lower part of 

 every large river. 



The small yellow fruit of the rattan is gathered 

 in large quantities and subjected to prolonged boiling. 



^ A similar practice prevails in the Malay Peninsula. 



