153 
they make great use. They in turn frequently impose 
upon the superstitious Malays, when they have no pro- 
ducts to barter, and wish to obtain a supply of tohaecu, 
by presenting them with medicines, which they pretend 
to derive from partieular shrubs and trees in the woods, 
and which they represent as efficacious for the cure of 
head-aches and other complaints, 
"The Semangs subsist on the birds and beasts of 
the forest, and roots. They eat elephants, rhinoceros, 
monkeys, and rats, and with the exception of the scanty 
supplies they obtain from the Malays, they have no rice 
or salt. They are very expert with the sumpit,* and 
poison the darts with ipok, procured from the joice of 
various trees, which is a deadly poison. They handle the 
bow and the spear with wonderfal dexterity, and destroy 
the largest and most powerful animals by ingenious con- 
trivances. 
" It is seldom they suffer by beasts of prey, as they 
are extremely sharp- sighted, and as agile in ascending 
the trees as the monkeys. Their mode of destroying 
elephant Sj in order to procure the ivory, or their ilesli, 
is most extraordinary and ingenious. They lie in wait 
in small parties of two or three, when they have perceived 
any elephants ascend a hill, and as they descend again, 
which they usually do at a alow pace, plucking the 
branches as they move along, while the hind legs are 
lifted up, the Semang cautiously approaching behind, 
drives a sharp-pointed bamboo, or a piece of neehong 
w^hich has been previously well hardened in the fire. 
Blow-pipe for projecting snmll daxta. 
B 3 
