OF THE KYANS. 329 



The caps, which represent monstrous masks, or faces, 

 are formed of a framework of rattan, covered with 

 bears' skin, or the skin of some other animal. Two 

 round pieces of bone are tied by a string, which runs 

 through them, for eyes ; and a triangular piece serves 

 for the nose. The mouth is formed of very small 

 cowrie shells, to resemble the teeth; and two of the 

 large canine teeth of the panther, or bear, are fastened 

 as tusks to its extremities. The top is surmounted 

 with the tail feathers of the domestic cock on each side, 

 and at the back by the barred tail-feathers of the great 

 rhinoceros hornbill, or of the argus pheasant. 



Another kind of cap is formed round, and surmounted 

 by the head of the rhinoceros hornbill, with its great 

 beak ; the skin of the bird's neck being distended so as 

 to form the covering of the framework of the cap. 

 Other kinds are merely ornamented with feathers of 

 the hornbill and argus pheasants, being all, however, 

 covered with the skins of monkeys, or of some other 

 animals. The caps are not generally made to fit to the 

 head ; but another framework, inside the outer and 

 larger one, is generally adapted for that purpose. 



The ornaments of the women are said to consist of 

 brass and ivory armlets, the latter being purchased at 

 Singapore, and brought to them by the Malays the 

 elephant not being found in their country, though the 

 rhinoceros is not uncommon. 



The weapons of the men are the sumpit-an or blow- 

 pipe : this is a long tube of hard wood, through which 

 small poisoned arrows, or darts, having on their end a 



