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is uot very clearly expressed, but I conceive 

 the meaning of it not to imply that the Pontianak 

 are posthuraous ehildreo, but , that the Malays 

 suppose the work of propagation to extend to the 

 other world. The usual shape of the Pont'mmk 

 is that of a bird, sometimes white, occasionally 

 speckled, and in Java thoroughly black ; its si^e 

 being somewhat less than that of a magpie. It 

 is not, however, confined to this form, being ca- 

 pable of assuming at pleasure the appearance of 

 other animals, and even that of the human beiog^. 

 It is more dreaded than a tyger, when met by a 

 Malay in the gloom of the jungle. Women it 

 never attacks, its prey being men and young 

 child ren» the latter of whom it kills and sucks 

 the blood. It is stated that a Ponlianak, having 

 assumed the human form, fell into company whh 

 a man returning from the market with some fish, 

 aiid, being invited home by his new acquaint- 

 ance, assisted him by his loug nails, or talons^ iu 

 dividing the supper. His host, however, falling 

 asleep, the treacherous animal watched his oppor- 

 tunity and slew hini. The Pontiattak, although 

 a bird, is covered with hair instead of feathers, 

 and is very diflScuIt to be caught. A man, how- 

 ever, once obtained a hair of one, and the animal 

 brought him as much gold as he wished, until it 

 contrived to get back the hair, when all the gold 

 disappeared. An owl and a species of caterpil- 

 lar are employed by the Pontianak, as scouts for 

 the purpose of bringing it intelligence. 

 * The same author gives three other examples of 



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