a3« SUMATRA* 
unable to give this proof of viiftory. The cocks arc never trimmed, 
but matched in full feather. The artificial fpur ufcd in Sumatra^ refeni- 
bles in fhape the blade of a fcimitar, and proves a more dellrud:ive wca^ 
pon than the European fpur. It has no focket, but is tied to the leg, 
and in the pofition of it, the nicety of the match is regulated. As in 
horfe- racing, weight is proportioned to inches, fo in cocking, a bird of 
fuperior weight and fize, is brought to an equality with his adverfary, 
by fixing the ftecl fpur fo many fcalcs of the leg above the natural fpur, 
and thus obliging him to fight with -A degree of di fad vantage. It rarely 
happens that both cocks lurvive the combat. 
In the northern parts of the ifland, where gold duft is the common 
medium of gamblmg, as well as of trade, fo much is accidentally dropt 
in weighing and delivering, that at fome cockpits, where the refort of 
people is great, the fweepings are faidj probably with exaggaration ; 
to be worth upwards of a thoufaitd dollars per annum to the owner of 
the ground ; be fide his profit of two fa nam s (five pence) for each battle. 
Quail fighting. Jri fome places they match quails, in the manner of cocks, Thcfe fight 
with grcai invereracv, and endeavour to feize each other by the tongue* 
The Achcnefe bring alfo into combat the dial bird, (umri) which re- 
fembles a fmall magpye, but has an agreeable, though imperfect note* 
They fometimes engage one another on the wing, and drop to the ground 
in the llruggle. 
Fenring- They have other diverfions of a more innocent nature. Matches of 
fencing, or a fpecies of tournament, are exhibited on particular days ; as 
at the breaking up of their annual fail, or month of ramadan^ called 
there thcpooajfo. On thefe occafions they pradlce firang^ attitudes, with 
violent contorfions of the body, an4 often work themftlves up to a degree 
of frenzy; when the old men Hep in, sikI' carry them off. Thefe ex- 
ercifes, in fome circumflances refemble the idea which the ancients have 
given us of the ^rnV or war dance ; the combatants moving at a diftance 
from each otker, in cadence, and making ntany turns and fprings, uti- 
neceffary in the reprefentation of a real combat. This enteitainment 
