A NOTE ON RENGAS POISONING. 85 



stem are so noxious that on the woodmen inhaling them, their 

 faces become swollen as if they had been stung by hornets, 

 and that, although none of the sap has touched the skin, fever 

 and blindness are usual consequences. It is impossible to 

 accept these statements, but it is quite possible that some 

 inflammation of the outer membrane of the eyes might be 

 caused by the irritating vapour of Rengas sap. 



With such distinctive characteristics as these, it is not sur- 

 prising to find that Malays have invested the Rengas tree 

 with supernatural properties. Before they venture to fell the 

 tree to obtain the highly prized tiangs of this wood, elaborate 

 exorcisms have to be undertaken to counteract the influences 

 of evil-disposed djins and langsuyar. It is a matter of popu- 

 lar belief that, if the incantations are efficiently performed, 

 the woodcutter is rendered proof against the poison of the 

 sap ; and three Malays living at Ayer Etam in Penang are be- 

 lieved to be such adepts in the art that their bodies have be- 

 come impervious to the influence of the juice. I have experi- 

 enced great difficulty in getting other natives to collect 

 branches, as they insist that it is essential to have some one 

 to do it who thoroughly understands the spells proper for the 

 occasion. On investigation, it was found that all that these 

 Malays claimed to achieve by their incantations was to attain 

 exemption from the effects of the noxious vapour of the cut 

 trees, and that they are careful to augment the protective 

 powers of their spells by rubbing their hands and bodies with 

 coco-nut oil. 



The various species of the Rengas family must be frequently 

 met with in the Peninsula in clearing jungle for plantations 

 or railways, and it is obviously a matter of importance to be 

 able to indentify trees that may expose workmen to serious 

 danger. 



Penang, 29th October, 189 1. 



