48 GEORGE D S-DUNBAR ON 



from the Galongs) prefer to use aconite in hunting and a mixture of aconite and 

 croton in war ; for they appear to believe that the latter is certain , whereas aconite is 

 useless if the arrow is extracted at once and the wound washed. The Daflas declare 

 that they obtain their aconite from a high mountain away to the north infested with 

 black and yellow snakes ; the Simong Abors stated that they get their aconite from 

 the snowy range to the north of them and propitiate the spirits of the place by sacri- 

 ficial rites. The Aka poison is aconite. The poison, which to become rapidly absorbed 

 must be fresh, is powdered upon a stone and made up into a paste with the juices of a 

 creeper and a wild potato l and laid thickly on to the head of the arrow just behind the 

 point. It is said, but I have no proof to support it, that arrows are also poisoned 

 by thrusting them into decomposing carcasses. The main risk run from a wound 

 inflicted by an arrow poisoned with aconite is from blood poisoning, provided the 

 arrow is quickly extracted, for the aconite (although a comparatively rapid poison) is 

 probably dry and takes some time to enter the system. The Abors affirm that croton 

 is almost instantaneous in its effect. 2 The hill antidote for a poisoned arrow is to 

 wash the wound and apply a mixture of fowl's dung and opium, if obtainable. 



Arrows are carried in a bamboo case, provided with a lid and fitted with an out- 

 side cane pocket for spare ' ' strings ' ' and the bracer guard of cane. These arrow 

 cases are sometimes rather nicely finished with bands of plaited cane work, and the sling 

 of cane or strip of hide by which it is carried is often adorned with bunches of squirrel 

 tails. 



The second weapon , in order of importance , is the sword . Swords are made in three 

 recognized lengths ; the longest are Tibetan obtained from the Boris, or made in the 

 Memong country. The blades are straight single edged, and have no point, for the 

 hill-men cut with great dexterity and strength, but do not thrust. The average length 

 of blade is 2 ft. 3 ins. ; the handle is wood, generally ornamented with cane work, but 

 brass work has been seen on some swords obtained from the north. Komkar and 

 Pangkang are renowned for their sword-makers. s When I visited the latter the Gam 

 emerged, black as Vulcan, from his furnaces. The scabbards are either of split 

 bamboo (Abor, Memong and Dana usual custom), or of wood (Mishmi, Dobang, 

 Tadun). The sword is carried over the shoulder on a sling of hide, either of mithan 

 bear, or deer skin. 



The utter lack of an artistic sense in the tribes on this frontier is very clearly 

 illustrated by the entire absence of ornamentation on the quivers and scabbards, 

 in striking contrast to ancient hunters generally and to primitive hunting peoples 

 of the present day, such as the Eskimo, and the Australian aborigines, who 

 delight in ornamenting their weapons with artistic designs. Spears are frequently 



I The creeper and the root (that I took for wild potato) are both cultivated. They call the former talo and the 

 latter mane. The Daflas are said to use pig's blood to bind the powdered poison. 



" 2 There appears to be strong diversity of opinion amongst medical men and analysts regarding these poisons. The 

 notes I have taken were obtained from the most trustworthy Abors in the Balek villages. I have no corroboration 

 or evidence, from other communities, and give these details for what they are worth. 



3 See pp. 71 and 44 of Memoir. 



