treatment of a captured head—sea-dyak games—their progress in the useful arts—the blacksmith—their weapons—wars—balance of heads—preservation of enemies' heads—head-hunting—sea-dyak boats—boat engagements—bravery of the chief of lundu—defensive warfare—mode of rowing—a chief's superstition—dyak agriculture—preparing land for a farm—padi and indian corn—granaries—mode of reaping the padi—dyak gardens—their produce—fruit trefs—traps for deer and pigs—cage-traps and springes for birds—strange mode of fishing.

ABSTRACT

Like the whole of the aboriginal inhabitants of Borneo, the sea-Dyaks hold periodical feasts, which usually end in scenes of debauchery and drunkenness. A practice of fishing, used by the Dyaks of all descriptions, and which has been observed also of the natives of South America, with whom these people have many things in common, deserves particular notice. Though agriculture is so generally practised by the Dyaks, they have not made in it so much progress as, from its necessity to their existence, might have been expected. Besides the farms above described, the Dyaks have small gardens, usually the property of women, in which they plant vegetables of different kinds, principally the 'trong,' brenjal of the East, and egg-plant of Europe, sugar-cane, plantains, yams, sweet potatoes, chilies, &c. The wars of the sea-Dyaks are very frequent, and much more bloody than those of the Malays or the land tribes.