48 BRITISH BORNEO. 
much resembles Sumatra, yet, while elephants abound in the 
latter island, none are to be found in Borneo, except in a 
restricted area on the North-East Coast, in the territories of 
the North Borneo Company. It would appear, too, that 
the tenets of the Mahomedan religion were not strictly 
observed in those days. Now, no Brunai noble would think 
of offering you spirits, nor would ladies on any account be 
permitted to appear in public, especially if Europeans were 
among the audience. The consumption of spirits seems to have 
been on avery liberal scale, and it is not surprising to find 
PIGAFETTA remarking further on that some of the Spaniards 
became intoxicated. Spoons, whether of gold or other mate- 
rial, have long since been discarded by all respectable Brunais, 
only Pagans make use of such things, the Mahomedans employ 
the fingers which Allah has giventhem. The description of 
the women holding their market in boats stands good of 
to-day, but the wooden houses, instead of being on ‘‘ strong 
piles,” now stand on ricketty, round zzbong palm posts. The 
description of the obeisance tothe King is scarcely exaggerated, 
except that it is now performed squatting cross-legged—sz/a— 
the respectful attitude indoors, from the Sanskrit ¢il, to medi- 
tate, to worship (for an inferior never stands in the presence 
of his superior), and has been dispensed with in the case of 
Europeans, who shake hands. Though the nobles have now 
comparatively little power, they address each other and are ad- 
dressed by the commonalty in the most respectful tone, words 
derived from the Sanskrit being often employed in address- 
ing superiors, or equals if both are of high rank, such as Sa- 
ginda, Duli Paduka, Janda, and in addressing a superior the 
speaker only alludes to himself as a slave, Amba, Sahaya. 
I have already referred to the prohibition of the use of yellow 
by others than the Royal family, and may add that it isa 
grave offence for a person of ordinary rank to pass the palace 
steps with his umbrella up, and it is forbidden to him to sit in 
the after part of his boat or canoe, that place being reserved 
for nobles. At an audience with the Sultan, or with one of 
the Wazirs, considerable ceremony is still observed. What- 
ever the time of the day, a thick bees’ wax candle, about three 
