334 SHIELDS. 



contrary, as the Dyaks who pay tribute to Malays 

 and these are said to do so invariably state the number 

 of their people at much less than they actually are, in 

 order to evade the payment of the head-tax imposed 

 by the Malay rulers. This number was given to Mr. 

 Dalton, by the chief of Tongarron, who was the most 

 powerful of the three who ruled, in different districts, 

 their many villages. Mr. Dalton was adopted by this 

 chief as his brother, by means of a ceremony which has 

 been used by other nations, consisting of each drinking 

 a little of the blood of the other mixed in water ; but this 

 is not practised amongst the Dyaks of the western coast. 

 Notwithstanding this comparatively large population, 

 Mr. Dalton informs us that head-hunting is practised to 

 a frightful extent, and that desolating wars are con- 

 stantly carried on for the purpose of obtaining these 

 ghastly trophies. In war they, as well as the Kyans 

 of the north, wear shields ornamented with the hair 

 of their foes a piece of iron also runs along the 

 centre, for the greater security against the sword cuts 

 of their foes. Generally, these shields are orna- 

 mented with small and regular tufts of the black hair, 

 without being dyed ; but I have seen one belonging to a 

 chief of Bintulu, which was covered with long hair 

 dyed of a bright red colour. It is said in south 

 Borneo, that these shields, so ornamented, are only worn 

 by chiefs ; but, from their number in the north, I am 

 inclined to a different opinion, though I have seen some 

 on which were only the paintings peculiar to them all, . 

 and the pattern of which, the Missionary before referred 



