xvi] DYAK NAMES OF FISH 



by a species of wild Arenga palm (Arenga undulatifolia Becc.), but 

 the common Arenga, the Coco, and other palms, also yield it. 



When the lanko was finished and the fire lighted the Dyaksnvent 

 in search of something to eat with their rice. They soon returned 

 with several fish, which they had caught in the brooks in the forest. 

 These were forthwith placed on the embers to roast, after being 

 tied up in palm leaves. They belonged to no less than six species, 

 of which I here give the native names : — 



Dyak. Malay. 



Ikan pappak . . . . . . . . Ikan blao 



bokku . . . . . . . . ,, kli 



tekkid 

 siluan 

 pennoghu 

 siringin 



tan kit 

 siluan 



? 



? 



We passed a pleasant night under the lanko, and I slept better 

 than usual, having taken the precaution to spread branches and 

 leaves over the big sticks which formed the flooring, and over these 

 a pandanus mat which I always carried with me for the purpose. 

 But the Dyaks had no need of such luxuries, and slept like logs on 

 their bed of lumpy and knotted sticks, with no other dress on but 

 their jaw at. They kept the fire burning throughout the night, 

 however, for, though they do not care for a soft couch, they are 

 extremely sensitive to even the slightest lowering of the temperature. 



The morning of July 8th was rainy, but this did not prevent me 

 from going out in search of plants. I found many trees in blossom, 

 of various species new to me ; but it was then quite impossible to 

 collect specimens, either by climbing or by felling the trees, so 

 towards ten o'clock we started on our way back to Singhi, and 

 crossing once more the awful track through the swamp, we reached 

 that village towards 4 p.m. 



Next day I returned to Kuching, with a short stoppage at Bellida 

 to get a supply of slender bamboos, called bulu pretja, with which I 

 proposed making cane frames for the rearing of silkworms, which 

 the Tuan Muda was anxious to try. I afterwards found that for 

 that purpose the bulu kassa is preferable, being still more slender, 

 and very like the reeds we use in Italy. 



All bamboos in Borneo are apt to be bored, on drying, by insects, 

 except the bulu tamian, which is so hardened by silica that the 

 mandibles of these pests can make no impression on it. It is for 

 this reason used, as I have already said, as a substitute for flint in 

 striking a light. To prevent the bamboos being bored by insects 

 they are macerated for a while in water, or else buried in mud. 



Leading the life of a Dyak in the woods one is always learning 

 something new of their ways and customs. Thus on this occasion 

 I was able to find out how they dye their teeth black. They use for 



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