STRANGE MODE Of FISHING. 237 



of sand at its entrance, so that, at low water, it has 

 little or no communication with the sea ; and having 

 distributed the bundles of tuba in equal proportions 

 to all the boats present, the persons in them proceed 

 to beat up the roots on the thwarts of the canoes, 

 frequently pouring water on them, until the whole 

 of the narcotic principle is extracted and collected 

 in the bottom of the boat, in the water which, during 

 the process of beating, has been poured over the 

 roots, and which has now become of a white milky 

 colour. At low water, and at a signal given by 

 the chief, all the boats simultaneously commence 

 baling out the water charged with the narcotic into 

 the river, and this, spreading through the waters in 

 every way, stupefies the fish. The smaller ones, being 

 most readily affected, first float upon the surface, and 

 are taken with the light and sharp-pointed spears of 

 the Dyaks. Soon the larger ones, beginning to feel 

 its influence, also come to the top ; then it is that 

 the best of the sport commences : fishes of the largest 

 size, together with small alligators, appear for an 

 instant struggling to free themselves from the lethargy 

 occasioned by the infected waters. The Dyaks, who 

 are ever on the alert, paddle instantly towards them, 

 and three or four of the barbed spears are immediately 

 thrust into their scaly bodies by the different boats, 

 which arrive together at the scene of their strug- 

 gles : occasionally a large fish, in his dying agony, is 

 too powerful for his assailants, one or two of whom 



