The pagan tribes of Borneo - Get a Free Blog Here

LIFE IN THE JUNGLE 153
cut into the stem with a small long-bladed axe,
making a deep small hole. An expert, generally
a Punan, then smells the hole and gives an opinion
as to the chances of finding camphor within it. If
he gives a favourable opinion, the tree is cut down
and broken in pieces as described above. On
cutting down the tree, an oil which smells strongly
of camphor sometimes pours out and is collected.
The party remains lali until the collection of the
camphor is completed ;
no stranger may enter their
hut or speak with them. The practice of collecting
camphor in this way is probably a very ancient one,^
whereas the collection of gutta and rubber has been
undertaken only in recent years in response to the
demands of the European market.
Many varieties of the rattan palm grow luxuriantly
in the forests of Borneo, some attaining a length
of 150 to 200 feet. It is a creeper which makes
its way towards the light, suspending itself to
branches and twigs by means of the curved spines
which prolong the midribs of the leaves. The cane
is collected by cutting through the stem near its
root, and hauling on it, several men combining
their efforts. The piece cut down is dragged
through the jungle to the river-bank. There it
is cut into lengths of fifteen feet, i.e. two and a half
spans, and dried in the sun. If the sap is thoroughly
dried out, the cane assumes a permanent yellow
colour ; but if any is left, the cane darkens when
soaked in water. When a large number of bundles
has been collected, they are bound together to form
a raft. On this a hut is erected, and two or three
men will navigate the raft down river to the Chinese
bazaar, which is to be found in the lower part of
every large river.
The small yellow fruit of the rattan is gathered
in large quantities and subjected to prolonged boiling.
^ A similar practice prevails in the Malay Peninsula.