( 87 ) 
Art. XV. — Notice of a species of' Cannibalism, practised in 
ihe interior of Sumairck, together with some particulars rela- 
tive to ihe Customs of the Inhabitants, and the produce of ihe 
Country about Tapanooly, including the Camphor Tree. 
Communicated in a Letter from India *. 
1, Cannibalism, and Customs qf the Battas. 
As the Helen is still in company, I sit down to fulfil my pro- 
mise of an account of Tappanooly, and the Battas who inhabit 
the interior of that part of Sumatra. They had been stated to 
be cannibals, and we were curious to ascertain the fact, and 
learn something of so peculiar a state of society. We therefore 
assembled some of the most intelligent chiefs, whom we examin- 
ed at length respecting all their usages and customs, and obtain- 
ed the most ample and indisputable information on every point. 
The history of these people is so extraordinary and peculiar, 
that I should not have credited it on any evidence less than that 
which we received, and which I should almost fear to commu- 
nicate, were I less convinced of its absolute correctness. 
That they are cannibals is placed beyond a doubt ; but the 
circumstances and manner in which it is practised, are, I believe, 
unexampled in the history of the human race. The eating of 
men is not merely practised in war, as in some other savage 
countries, but is the punishment solemnly and deliberately 
awarded by their laws for certain capital crimes. Five cases 
are enumerated in which the eating of oflPenders is 'ordained, of 
which the first, and, in their ideas the greatest, Ts adultery. The 
sentence is passed in full council by the assembled chiefs, and is 
publicly carried into effect three days after, when the whole 
neighbourhood is assembled. The victim is tied up, with his 
hands extended, and the injured party is asked what part he 
chooses ; he perhaps desires the ears ; they are instantly cut off, 
and he deliberately eats them, either raw, with limes and pepper, 
or dressed, as he pleases. Every person present then cuts off and 
eats what part he likes ; and after all are satisfied, the chief enemy 
cuts off the head, and carries it home, to suspend it in triumph 
on the top of his house. Thus the culprit is literally eaten alive, 
* Read before the Wernerian Society, 18th May 182S. 
