160 MALAY FISHING. 



being annually imported from Java. Copper is not 

 used, but being mixed with gold, forms a beautiful 

 compound metal, much valued by the Borneans for 

 ornamenting the handles of their long krises. 



In their apparatus for the capture of fish, they have 

 attained greater perfection than in any of the mecha- 

 nical arts, and the contrivances for the capture of this 

 favourite article of food are very numerous. The prin- 

 cipal are the inclosures of stakes, drag-nets, casting- 

 nets, traps, placed so as to swing to each tide ; and 

 with hook and line : prawns, shrimps, and small fish 

 are taken with hand-nets in the fine season. The 

 quantity of fish taken by these various contrivances 

 is enormous. They are salted and dried, as has been 

 before stated, and sent into the interior parts of the 

 country. The river fish in general are not so much 

 esteemed as those taken at sea, though they also are 

 frequently caught, principally by means of hooks and 

 lines attached to the light wood called plye, already 

 described. Pieces of the wood, cut into the shape of 

 birds, may frequently be seen floating down with the 

 tide, to each of which is attached at the neck a strong 

 line supporting a baited hook. The proprietor is gene- 

 rally not far off, and, on the float bobbing under 

 water, soon seizes it, and captures the fish which has 

 taken the hook, but though large, cannot keep the 

 light float under water. A fine fish called by the 

 natives 'ikan malang/ is the one most frequently caught 

 in this manner. 



The Malays of Sarawak seldom apply themselves to 

 gardening or agriculture, trusting entirely for their 



