Oh. XIV.] DEBSS OF DYAK GIEL. 227 



shoulder to the elbow, and from the elbow to the wrist, 

 leaving the joint free ; and frpm the knee to the ankle, so 

 closely compressing the limbs that the flesh bulged out in an 

 unsightly manner where the compression ceased. These 

 wires appeared incapable of being removed ; indeed, I after- 

 wards saw a woman washing in the river with these incum- 

 brances to cleanliness, which must be very provocative of 

 ulceration also, upon her. A number of thin rattan rings 

 encircled the girl's body, which was otherwise bare, and 

 some rings of rattan and of brass hung around her neck. 

 Her black hair, loosely parted in the middle, hung loosely 

 behind as far as the waist. 



The first view of these aborigines gave me a strong im- 

 pression of the wretchedness of savage life, as they lingered 

 to hold some conversation with the Malays, and cast some 

 curious glances at the white men, from whose gaze the 

 women seemed instinctively to shrink. 



Meanwhile, aU was prepared for the Council, and the 

 government official having taken his seat, with the Datu, 

 upon one of the diamond-washers' frames by the river-side, 

 and surrounded by the natives who were interested in the 

 matter, opened the question and stated the arrangements 

 which the Sarawak government had determined upon for the 

 fair apportionment and regulation of the various claims. 

 He was listened to with intelligence and attention by the 

 Malays who squatted round, chewing betel, and then the 

 matter was fairly and quietly discussed, questions answered, 

 and details explained to the satisfaction of all parties, after 

 which the meetiag broke up. Meanwhile our servants were 

 building a little shed upon the hiU-side, and covering it with 

 attaps for our accommodation during the night. 



The scenery of our camping-place was exceedingly pic- 



q2 



