XVIIl] 



THE TUBAO KAYANS 



rarely without two big canine teeth, either of the bear or leopard, 

 passed through the upper portion of the cartilage of each ear, with 

 the point turned outwards and downwards, imparting a singular 

 ferocity to the aspect of these men. I have seen facsimiles of 

 this peculiar ornament made of gold and retained in the ear by 

 a sort of head or button, which was very finely and artistically 

 worked. I was unable to learn whence the Kayans get so 



Fig. 49. A KINYA (SAME SUBJECT IN PROFILE). 



many canine teeth of the tree leopard (Felts nehulosa), which, 

 according to my experience, is quite rare in Borneo. Probably it 

 is more abundant in the interior of the north-east portion of the 

 island than in the parts I explored, but, no doubt, manv of these 

 ornaments must have been handed down from father to son for 

 many generations. 



The Tubao Kayans do not file their teeth to a point as 

 the Dyaks do, but they shorten the upper incisors and stain them 



277 



