THE NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MAGAZINE 



111 



NATIVE WOMEN SPRINKLING RICK AND PERFORMING OTHER CEREMONIES IN 

 PREPARATION FOR THE HARVEST FESTIVAL 



After setting aside from the rice crop the portion required for the year's food supply 

 and enough more for trading purposes, the remainder is converted into a rice wine, and feasts 

 are held in one house after another. The scattering of rice about the house is supposed to 

 propitiate the evil spirits. 



butterfly of all — the Brookeana. This 

 last-named species is comparatively rare, 

 and at one time brought so high a price 

 that it might have become extinct were 

 it not for the fact that the game laws of 

 Sarawak protect even the butterflies. 

 The collector is allowed to take only two 

 specimens of any one kind, whether it be 

 bird, beast, butterfly, or orchid. 



Indeed, the Sarawak jungle is better 

 protected than our forests. The jeluton 

 tree yields a valuable gum, but if im- 

 properly tapped the tree is easily killed ; 

 therefore, inspectors have been appointed 

 to regulate the tapping in order that this 

 natural resource of the country may not 

 be destroyed. 



It was not the natural history of the 

 country, however, that prompted the 

 author to visit Sarawak ; it was rather 



the opportunity to become acquainted 

 with primitive and interesting people, still 

 living the simple life of their ancestors 

 in the primeval jungle, unspoiled by con- 

 tact with the white man. 



The author has been the honored guest 

 in the houses of these people ; he has re- 

 ceived the best they had to offer. They 

 are by no means free from serious faults, 

 but these are disappearing, and they pos- 

 sess many homely virtues. 



SEA DAYAKS, EARLY PUPILS OE PIRATICAL 

 MALAYS 



The vSea Dayaks, or Ibans, to use the 

 native name, are the largest and most 

 progressive tribe. Their love of adven- 

 ture made them the ready pupils of the 

 piratical Malays in the early days ; but 

 since their initiative has been turned into 



