“ The scenery of the Bongon River is extremely
pretty, and we made several excursions up it for
hunting and for amusement. On one occasion Captain
Hope, H.M.S. Fly, and I took a long walk tkrough
the jungle, having gone up the river some distance.
He is an authority on ferns, and was greatly delighted
at the lavish display in the jungle of Borneo. The
foliage is lovely and rich, the ever-varying colour
and tints impossible to describe. If anything the
extreme luxuriance palls on one, exciting at times a
1 online for the grim leafless aspect o o . o of the trees in
Old England at winter time.”
VI.
In Frank’s trunks and cases which eventually reached
England there were some examples of native arms
and implements. They included the head of the
spear given to Frank by the Dusun chief (one of his
blood-brothers), the pipe referred to by Mr. Ward at
page 309, and other trophies and mementoes of Frank’s
expeditions. Examples of these are illustrated in
succeeding pages. The Bornean parang (1) and
Malay kris (2) are interesting specimens of these
weapons. The parang is used as much for agricultural
purposes as in warfare. The sheath is made of
hard polished and unpolished wood, decorated with
human hair, and bound together with ornamental
rattan. The blade is of Kayan manufacture, made
from native iron, and tempered by a process pretty
o-enerally known- in Borneo, but concerning which no
traveller has yet been able to give any information.
No European blade is more finely tempered than these
Kayan weapons. “ I have seen some of them that will
BORNEAN PARANG ( in s h e a t h ) AND MALAY KRIS.
(Drawn l y W, H. Margetson.)
Y 2
cut a strong nail in
two, without turning
the edge,” says Mr.
Crocker; “ and I don’t
know that any writer
has pointed out the peculiar
and ingenious
method of their form.
Take for example the
blade sent home by
Frank. I t is concave
on one side,
convex on the other;
the tree or other
object attacked with
it is struck with the
concave side, which
prevents the weapon
glancing off, and the
convex side assists
by a curving action
the force of penetration.”
I t is a damaskeen
blade beautifully
inlaid with
brass. I t is fastened
by a band round
the waist, secured by
a large button made
of mother - of - pearl.
The Malay kris (2)
is a long wavy steel
blade, the handle