2i6 PAGAN TRIBES OF BORNEO chap. 



is fixed vertically with the upper end projecting 

 through the platform, its lower end resting on the 

 ground (PL 113). Its upper end is lashed to the 

 platform, its lower end to a pair of stout poles lashed 

 horizontally to trees, and its middle to another pair 

 of poles similarly fixed. 



The next operation, the boring of the wood, is 

 accomplished by the aid of a straight rod of iron 

 about nine feet long, of slightly smaller diameter 

 than the bore desired for the pipe, and having one 

 end chisel-shaped and sharpened. One man stand- 

 ing on the platform holds the iron rod vertically 

 above the end of the wood, and brings its sharp 

 chisel edge down upon the centre of the flat surface. 

 Lifting the rod with both hands he repeats his blow 

 again and again, slightly turning the rod at each 

 blow. He is aided in keeping the rod truly verti- 

 cal by two or three forked sticks fixed horizontally 

 at different levels above the platform in such a way 

 that the vertical rod slides up and down in the forks, 

 which thus serve as guides. The rod soon bites its 

 way into the wood. An assistant, squatting on the 

 platform with a bark-bucket of water beside him, ladles 

 water into the hole after every two or three strokes, 

 and thus causes the chips to float out. This operation 

 steadily pursued for about six hours completes the 

 boring. In boring the lower part, the craftsman 

 aims at producing a slight curvature of the tube by 

 very slightly bending the pole and lashing it in the 

 bent position ; the pole on being released then 

 straightens itself, and at the same time produces the 

 desired slight curvature of the bore. This curvature 

 is necessary in order to allow for the bending of the 

 blow-pipe, when in use, by the weight of the spear- 

 blade which is lashed on bayonet -fashion. If the 

 desired degree of curvature is not produced in this 

 way, the wooden pipe, still in the rough state as 

 regards its outer surface, is suspended horizontally 



