10 ON TALLY STICKS AND STRINGS IN BORNEO. 



forge an old notch. A stick which has been kept for years 

 acquires quite a high value as a ' lucky ' stick : it is customary 

 also in disputes to swear with such sticks calling down vengeance 

 on themselves if they tell a lie. Kenyahs, whose conservatism 

 is not very strong, often content themselves with sticks devoid 

 of carving or polish and even sometime without the image of 

 the god. 



In conclusion therefore it seems to us very probable that 

 in the knotted string (terbuku tali) of the more civilised and 

 better known natives of Borneo and perhaps in the tally stick 

 we have something which did not originate merely as a means^ 

 of counting but which is a relic that has largely lost its original 

 meaning of covenant. 



