XXVIT. ON AN EXAMINATION OF SOME 
NEGRITO COMBS FROM PERAK 
By Ivor H. N. Evans, M.A. 
(Plates XVIII & XIX.) 
The commonest types of comb that I have collected from 
the Kintak Bong of the Ula Selama Parish of Perak are the 
six and the eight-pattern varieties. In both of these the kinds 
- of patterns, their arrangement * with regard to one another, 
and their comparative sizes, are all regulated by tradition. 
Let us take first of all a six-pattern comb, such as fig. A 
in the illustration. The pattern of the first panel stands by 
itself, not being reproduced elsewhere on thecomb. Pattern 
2; however, recurs again in panel 6, and pattern 3, in panel 
5. The fourth pattern—different from any of the others—is 
always much larger than the rest. Now it is in accordance 
with traditions that only a few kinds of patterns are allow- 
able in panel 7, and the same is true for the similar panels 2, 
and 6, 3 and 5, as well as for panel 4 
In the ordinary type of aight patie pe eight-panel) 
comb the arrangement is similar, except that two extra 
panels, containing the same patterns as rae 2 and 6 of the 
six-pattern comb (2 and 8 in the eight-pattern comb) are in- 
serted, one on either side of the largest panel—panel 4ina 
six-pattern comb. We may, therefore, since it is understood 
that an eight-pattern comb is exactly the same as a six- 
pattern, except for the addition of the two extra panels, as 
remarked, leave this type and proceed to the detailed 
examination of the patterns which are to be found on six- 
panel combs. 
The whole comb is called kenait, the panels papan,* and 
the boundary lines between the patterns enem. In panel 4, 
according to my Kintak Bong informant, the following pat- 
terns are allowable: ‘‘ crossin ¢ jackfruit shoots ’’’ (tenwug 
nangka), ‘‘ cucumber flowers,” e thighs of the Monitor-lizard”’ 
(bleuk patiu), ‘‘ young moon ” (wong ® kichek), ‘‘ breast of the 
red-breasted hill tortoise ’”’ (sob sweh) and hilik yawin (bracken 
leaves), Probably the commonest of these is tenwug nangka. 
In panels 2 and 6 the commonest pattern is hebeurk padi 
(padi grains) though tapag salag (leaflets of the Salak*) is 
sometimes found, as also ‘‘ gourd seeds,” a pattern very similar 
to * padi grains ” but in which the diamonds, which are often 
! Vide Pagan Races, Vol. II, p. ae c Feta A. 
‘ woes word w hich means “op 
means ‘‘ 
3 Won, 
. The ‘Sulah-patinn, Zalacca edulis. 
