274 A NATUBALIST IN CELEBES ch. xi 



Thus the word ' to court ' is in Tombulu language 

 pahaleijaleijan lemaan and in Tompakewasch pangileng- 

 ilekkan tenga, which means ' to continually ask for betel- 

 nut of one another ' (94). 



We constantly find the betel-nut mentioned in the love 

 songs and romances : 



' Ajohan-o-mej tetengaan sambe eh rumojoro 

 Aku rumojor-o mange-mo witi walenamij.' 



' Give me the betel-nut box, my friend, and I will go. 

 I will go below, and I will go to our house ' (22). 



And in the songs I have quoted on pp. 303, 304 we 

 find the stanzas : 



' Place one half of the young betel-nut you have cut in two 

 in my mouth, and my feelings will be always well towards 

 you.' 



' If a man could fly like the wind I would take this betel-nut 

 out of my mouth and send it to him.' 



Before leaving the subject I will quote a passage from 

 the writings of Mr. Spencer St. John to show how common 

 is the custom of nightly visits during courtship, and the 

 important part the habit of betel-chewing plays in the love 

 affairs of the Malay races. 



Speaking of the Dyaks of Sarawak he says (71) : 

 ' Besides the ordinary attention which a young man is able 

 to pay to the girl he desires to make his wife, there is a 

 peculiar testimony of regard which is worthy of note. About 

 nine or ten at night, when the family is supposed to be 

 asleep within the mosquito curtains in the private apart- 

 ment, the lover quietly slips back the bolt by which the 

 door is fastened on the inside and enters the room on tip- 

 toe. He goes to the curtains of his beloved, gently awakes 

 her, and she, on hearing who it is, rises at once, and they sit 

 conversing together and making arrangements for the future 



