418 THROUGH CENTRAL BORNEO 



internal use the bones pulverised and mixed with water 

 are taken. 



Note. — This fish, by the Dutch called meerval, is said to be about a 

 metre long, and though eaten with impunity by some, its flesh is evidently 

 poisonous, and, according to reports, if taken will cause the flesh to fall from 

 the bones. In accordance with a custom apparently universal among Da- 

 yaks, of leaving quarry for the women to bring home, the patin when caught is 

 usually left at the landing float to be disposed of by the wife of the fisherman. 



The Kiai Laman, a Kahayan, and a Mohammedan, who related the 

 story, does not eat this fish, nor water turtle. Mr. B. Brouers, of Bandjer- 

 masin, whose mother was a Dayak noble from the Lower Kahayan, was 

 instructed by her never to eat turtle. He, being a Dutchman, disregards 

 this and nothing has ever happened, as he said, but he added that an ac- 

 quaintance who did likewise lost the skin of his finger-tips. 



22. THE STORY OF THE BIRD PUNAI 



(From the Kahayans of Kuala Kapuas) 



Long, long ago a man was catching punai with sticks 

 to which glue had been applied. One was caught under 

 the wing and fell to the ground. As he went to take it 

 up it flew away a short distance. This happened several 

 times, but at last he seized it, when suddenly it changed 

 to a woman. He brought her to his house and said he 

 wanted to make her his wife. "You may," she replied, 

 "but you must never eat punai." This story happened 

 in ancient times when many antohs were able to change 

 into human beings. 



The woman bore him many children. One day, when 

 in a friend's house, people were eating punai, and he 

 also ate some of it. His wife learned this and said to 

 him: "I hear that you have eaten punai. You don't 

 like me. I shall become a bird again." Since then her 

 descendants have never eaten this bird, because they 



