SUMPITAN. MALAY. A blowpipe used as a projectile amongst the Malay races. That of the Dyak is a piece of vvood bored ; that of the I3er mun tribes consists of two bamboos 7 feet iu length, one enclosed within the other. The external one, which is merely for strength and ornament, is about 3-4ths of an inch in diameter, and neatly carved for about a foot at each end and in the middle. To prevent it splitting, the fibrous bark of the triap is bound round about 6 inches of the extremity, and a coating of dammer placed over it. The iuternal tube, which is the proper sumpitan, is of the same length with the case, but only 3-5ths of an inch in diameter. It is composed of two pieces of bamboo, united by a piece 8 inches long, which embraces the ends tightly at the junction. The bamboo used (the bulu timiang) is very light and fine-grained. The arrows (damak) are small darts, made of the stein of the birtam leaf, 10 inches in length, and 1-16th of an inch in diameter at the base, from which they gradually taper to a very fine sharp point. The base is inserted into a cone of ltayu tutu (which is very porous and light) about an inch in length, and 1-3d of an inch in diameter at its base. The point of the dart is dipped for about 5-6ths of an inch in ipoh (upas). This is made by taking akar ipoh, batang ipoh (or kyas), limes, and tuba, which are bruised, boiled, and strained. To this arsenic is added. Other substances, euch as pachet, jimardes, mallye, and gadong, are also sometimes added. The preparation called ipoh haa the colour and consistency of chandu. An incision is made round the dart above the ipoh, so as to ensure its breaking off and remaining in the wound. Each dart is kept ready for use in a bamboo case, about 1-4th of an inch in diameter. 50 of these cases are laid side by side and united by strings. They are then rolled up and inserted into a bamboo case, which has a neat lid of jalu tong. The same case contains a quantity of barok (a very light, spongy substance, also used as tinder), obtained from the arenga tree called runout. After inserting- the dart into the sum
pitan, a little barok is introduced. When the Binua blows into the tube, it is pressed against the kayu tutu cone, and prevents any of the air escaping between it and the sides. In shooting, the sumpitan is held firm by both hands being tightly clasped over its end, which is inserted into a handle.
The Malay use small poisoned darts, having on their end a piece of pith or oome other light sub- . stance, adapted to the size of the bore of the tube. The sumpitan has, at its farthest end, an iron sight by which they regulate their aim. It is also at this end furnished with a large double-bladed spear. Both the sight and the spear are nicely bound on with rattans, which are woven over them. The dart used is poisoned with the ipoli, which is the same as the upas and ehetik of Java, described by Dr. Horsfield ; the darts, which are very thin and about 10 inches in length, are pointed with the sharp teeth of fish neatly bound on to them. A Merl, who was very expert with the sumpitan, at a distance of from 15 to 20 yards could readily transfix a bird of the size of a star ling with one of the little darts. The whole dis tance to which the arrow can be blown with any thing like effect is 60 yards, and at that distance they would probably not pierce the skin. The sumpitan varies in length, being from 7 to 10 feet. It is used also by the Mui people, the Benkatan, and the Tatow, and by all the tribes of the cast coast. The Idaau or Meroot are said by Forrest also to possess it. Mr. Low saw speciniens from the river Essequibo, in South America, which resembled those of the Dyak in appearance arid size, but without the sight and the spear at the end. It is sometimes seen iu India.