1870.] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 167 



into his mouth, this is spat at the bees, which are said (for I did 

 not personally witness it, though I was shown the shrub, and 

 an Andamanese went through the process,) to become intoxicated, 

 or else to fly away. Wax obtained from the honey-comb is much 

 used for their bow strings, likewise for covering the fibre which 

 attaches the heads to arrows, as well as for stopping leaks in their 

 canoes. 



One of the most necessary pieces of property to these people is a 

 canoe, a moderately sized one being capable of accommodating 

 about 20 persons, whilst it is used for the purpose of obtaining food 

 for about 30. It is scooped out of a tree by men, who work with 

 a species of adze. They take their turn at this employment, during 

 which period they are supplied with food by the others. When 

 completed, their canoe is of a very fragile construction, and rarely 

 lasts above one year, for they are continually thinning its sides 

 by scooping out and ornamenting its interior. In fact when made, 

 no care is taken of it, and its sides are easily stoved in. It is bal- 

 lasted by stones, and has a prow projecting about two feet, on 

 which the fisherman stands. These prows become especially useful 

 whilst fishing turtle and spearing skates and rays. 



The bamboo pole which is employed for pushing along the canoe, 

 has a sharp moveable iron head at its one extremity, and to this 

 is attached a long line. When the bamboo is thrown, and the spear 

 becomes imbedded in the prey, it slips away from the bamboo, but 

 being attached to the line, the animal is securely held by the 

 fisherman. Their eyes, whilst slowly and silently moving about, 

 are as sharp as hawks : the spear is mostly thrown with a good aim, 

 and should the fish be large, some of those in the boat dive down, 

 attacking the victim with knives and spears, whilst others endea- 

 vour to pass a line over the game. Should the water be too deep to 

 pole about, one or two men or boys paddle the boat, as silently as 

 possible, the man on the prow directing them which way and how 

 fast to go, by signs made with his hands or feet, but not a word is 

 spoken. 



For their small or hand nets, very similar to a common landing 

 net without the handle, they use a fibre as a thread, which they 

 work at very neatly, employing their fingers as a mesh, and by 



