xx] A KAYAN MASQUERADE 



still existing animals, though it is unnecessary to enter upon the 

 subject here. 



In the case of the Kadjattao, however, the greater facility of 

 reproduction, the extremely rapid growth, the protection of the 

 stem by the spines, not to mention that of the flowers by their 

 tough envelope, have amply insured the preservation of the wild 

 plants also ; and thus Eugeissonia utilis is not in the strict sense 

 of the word a domesticated species, for it is not entirely dependent 

 on Man for its existence. In Borneo there are several other plants 

 in the same case as that of the Kadjattao, such as Pangium edule, 

 Sagus, Arenga saccharifera, several Caryotas, Anthiaris toxicaria, 

 etc., all of which, like the Kadjattao, may be considered as semi- 

 cultivated and anthropophilous plants. But I must put an end 

 to this digression, and resume my journey. 



That evening, September 26th, at about five o'clock, a Kayan 

 masquerade paid me a visit, on purpose to show themselves off 

 to me. They call this fete " Nugal," and it occurs twice in the year ; 

 the first (the one I witnessed) takes place immediately after the 

 planting of rice ; the second, I believe, after the harvest. It was 

 highly interesting, the procession being numerous and varied. 

 The instruments used were most singular, as were also the wooden 

 masks which hid the faces of the performers. I was sorry not 

 to be able to make sketches, but that was not possible, for they 

 did not stay long enough. I believe that an accurate study of 

 the masks and instruments used on such occasions would throw 

 much light on the question of the origin of this people. From 

 what I saw I am more than ever inclined towards the opinion that 

 the people of the Bintulu and the Upper Rejang originally came 

 from Indo-China. 



The 27th was a wearisome day for me, passed in the Punan's 

 house superintending the getting ready of the boat. I also pre- 

 pared specimens of the Kadjattao for my herbarium, and secured 

 a few living young plants, which I afterwards had the pleasure 

 of seeing again in the Botanic Garden at Buitenzorg, fully grown 

 and bearing fruit. 



To supplement the Kadjattao sago for the journey the Punans 

 went into the forest with their dogs on a hunting expedition. A 

 few hours later they returned with a large boar. This was, how- 

 ever, of no advantage to me, as I was unwilling to force my cook, 

 Sahat, a Mussulman, to cook pork, having always deference 

 to the religious principles of these people. The Punans may 

 be skilful hunters, but, judging from the immense number of 

 boars' jaw-bones (about 300) which I saw in long rows suspended 

 as trophies of the chase in the house, I should think that these 

 animals must be very abundant in the forest. 



We were off at seven o'clock next morning, but the paddlers 



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