330 
REPORT ON THE ISLAND OF BANKA. 
of Klabbet I observed a number of small prows engaged in darting 
tripangs, a species of Holothuria, which being boiled and subse¬ 
quently dried becomes a favourite article of diet among the Chinese 
and is sold with considerable advantage to individuals of that nation 
for the China trade. They also derive some emolument from the 
collection of Agar-agar, a sea weed of the Genus of Tremella, which 
is employed as a condiment in the food of the natives in general. 
Most of the Rayads found near the island of Banka, have embrac¬ 
ed the Mahomedan religion ; of those in the neighbouring seas ma¬ 
ny are still infidels ; but their manners, mode of life and domestic 
habits are less refined than those of the Malays in general. They 
are of a swarthy colour, their persons are well made and. robust, 
they possess great bodily strength and are experienced in the use of 
those arms which form their usual defence. 
Their character is by no means favorably delineated ; the accounts 
uniformly agree in representing them as treacherous and very in¬ 
different as to the crime of murder. They possess a considerable 
degree of personal courage and enterprize : qualities which are im¬ 
proved by their mode of life exposing them to unceasing vicissitudes 
and hardships. 
But they employ these qualities often unlawfully to the detriment 
of others. If they can surprize a prow of inferior force without the 
probability of being discovered, the contents are plundered and eve¬ 
ry person on board put to death. Accidents have several times led 
to the discovery of these atrocities many years after they were com¬ 
mitted. But piracy where they are at liberty to indulge it, is their 
more regular profession, and they have been too much supported by 
the princes and other inhabitants of Linga and Rhio, who have pro¬ 
fited by their exploits. Advances have often been made them in 
money on condition of dividing with them the spoil, by which their 
piracies have been sanctioned and encouraged. 
Intermarriages have of late not been uncommon between their fe¬ 
males and Malays or Chinese. By marrying the daughters of their 
chiefs, persons of other descriptions of people have succeeded in be¬ 
coming their leaders. Panglima Raman has already been mention- 
