124 BORNEO. [chap. v. 



handrail. When a river is to be crossed an overhanging 

 tree is chosen, from which the bridge is partly suspended 

 and partly supported by diagonal struts from the banks, so 

 as to avoid placing posts in the stream itself, which would 

 be liable to be carried away by floods. In carrying a path 

 along the face of a precipice, trees and roots are made use 

 of for suspension ; struts arise from suitable notches or 

 crevices in the rocks, and if these are not sufficient, im- 

 mense Bamboos fifty or sixty feet long are fixed on the 

 banks or on the branch of a tree below. These bridges 

 are traversed daily by men and women carrying heavy 

 loads, so that any insecurity is soon discovered, and, as the 

 materials are close at hand, immediately repaired. When 

 a path goes over very steep ground, and becomes slippery 

 in very wet or very dry weather, the Bamboo is used in 

 another way. Pieces are cut about a yard long, and 

 opposite notches being made at each end, holes are formed 

 through which pegs are driven, and firm and convenient 

 steps are thus formed with the greatest ease and celerity. 

 It is true that much of this will decay in one or two 

 seasons, but it can be so quickly replaced as to make 

 it more economical than using a harder and more 

 durable wood. 



One of the most striking uses to which Bamboo is 

 applied by the Dyaks, is to assist them in climbing lofty 

 trees, by driving in pegs in the way I have already 



