chap, v.] USES OF BAMBOO. 125 



described at page 85. This method is constantly used in 

 order to obtain wax, which is one of the most valuable 

 products of the country. The honey-bee of Borneo very 

 generally hangs its combs under the branches of the 

 Tappan, a tree which towers above all others in the 

 forest, and whose smooth cylindrical trunk often rises a 

 hundred feet without a branch. The Dyaks climb these 

 lofty trees at night, building up their Bamboo ladder as 

 they go, and bringing down gigantic honeycombs. These 

 furnish them with a delicious feast of honey and young 

 bees, besides the wax, which they sell to traders, and with 

 the proceeds buy the much-coveted brass wire, earrings, 

 and gold-edged handkerchiefs with which they love to 

 decorate themselves. In ascending Durian and other fruit 

 trees which branch at from thirty to fifty feet from the 

 ground, I have seen them use the Bamboo pegs only, 

 without the upright Bamboo which renders them so much 

 more secure. 



The outer rind of the Bamboo, split and shaved thin, is 

 the strongest material for baskets ; hen-coops, bird-cages, 

 and conical fish-traps are very quickly made from a single 

 joint, by splitting off the skin in narrow strips left 

 attached to one end, while rings of the same material or 

 of rattan are twisted in at regular distances. Water is 

 brought to the houses by little aqueducts formed of large 

 Bamboos split in half and supported on crossed sticks of 



