330 WEAPONS. THE SUMPIT-AN. 



piece of pith, or some other light substance adapted to 

 the size of the bore of the tube, are blown with great 

 force and accuracy of aim. The sumpit-an has, at its 

 farthest end, an iron sight, by which they regulate their 

 aim. It is also at this end furnished with a large 

 double-bladed spear. Both the sight and the spear are 

 nicely bound on with rattans, which are woven over 

 them. The dart used is poisoned with the ipoh, which 

 is the same as the upas and chetik of Java, described 

 by Dr. Horsefield ; the darts, which are very thin and 

 about ten inches in length, are pointed with the sharp 

 teeth of fish, neatly bound on to them. 



The case which contains the darts is supported by 

 the sword belt, and is made of a bamboo joint, the lid 

 of it being of the same material, and fitting nicely. It 

 contains many charms, consisting of stones, and bezoars, 

 which are abundant in their country, and which are said 

 to be taken from the heads of monkeys. The arrows 

 which are ready prepared for use, are kept separate 

 from the others, a sack of monkey's skin being carried 

 in the case for their points ; as by the friction on the 

 hard bamboo, these would be otherwise injured. 



A Meri man, in my employ, was very expert with the 

 sumpit-an, and, at the distance of from fifteen to twenty 

 yards, could readily transfix a bird of the size of a 

 starling with one of the little darts. The whole 

 distance to which the arrow can be blown with any 

 thing like effect, is sixty yards; and, at that distance 

 they would probably not pierce the skin. The sumpit- 

 an varies in length, being from seven to ten feet. It 



