314 MODE OF PROCURING 



perhaps, their poverty more than custom that renders 

 the latter article rare amongst them. 



These people, expert in all their employments in 

 the jungle, particularly exercise their dexterity in the 

 search for the wax produced in their forests, and the 

 birds' nests of the mountain caves. The former 

 valuable production is found on the sheltered sides 

 of rocky precipices, and on the lofty Tapang. The 

 Dyaks ascend by ladders of bamboo. When their 

 nests are to be built in the former position, the bees 

 always select such places as are kept dry by the over- 

 hanging precipice, so that they can only be obtained 

 with difficulty and danger; but for the value of two 

 or three dollars' worth of wax, and by the assistance 

 of rattans and bamboo ladders, the Dyaks never fail 

 to overcome all obstacles, and carry off the coveted 

 prize in spite of the stings of the enraged architects. 



The wax is more frequently found on the gigantic 

 Tapang-tree than in the rocks. The genus of this tree 

 which, from any elevated position, may be seen just throw- 

 ing out its branches, when its main stem has shot past the 

 tops of the foliage of the surrounding jungle, I have not 

 been able to determine, as I never could procure either its 

 flowers or fruits. It appears, however, to belong to the 

 great genus Ficus, or the fig tribe, species of which 

 are common in the islands : it rises with a straight and 

 beautiful stem, to a height which would be thought 

 incredible, far surpassing the most lofty of its gigantic 

 neighbours, which frequently attain a height of a 

 hundred feet of clear stem. The bark is white, soft, 

 and very milky. The wood is white and soft, excepting 



