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Pagan races of the Malay Peninsula - Sabrizain.org

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CHAP. IX SAKAI OF PERAK 481<br />

<strong>the</strong> claw- marks <strong>of</strong> animals on <strong>the</strong> bark/ Directly<br />

under <strong>the</strong> ring-line, which divides this panel from <strong>the</strong><br />

one above it, are to be seen, between <strong>the</strong> lianas, four<br />

minute figures (numbered i to 4) which are said to<br />

represent a bird, a butterfly, a caterpillar, and a tree-<br />

frog respectively. The panel (E) above <strong>the</strong> ring-line<br />

represents various stages in <strong>the</strong> growth <strong>of</strong> a tree.<br />

Reading this from right to left, we commence with<br />

<strong>the</strong> broad black stripe signifying <strong>the</strong> leafless tree-<br />

trunk. To <strong>the</strong> left <strong>of</strong> this <strong>the</strong>re follow five similar<br />

figures, which represent fully developed leaves. To<br />

<strong>the</strong> left <strong>of</strong> this again is a black stem, with leaf-drawing<br />

on <strong>the</strong> right side only ;<br />

<strong>the</strong>se<br />

represent <strong>the</strong> young<br />

and undeveloped leaves at <strong>the</strong> top <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> tree. Re-<br />

turning to <strong>the</strong> right <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> panel, we come to a black<br />

stem with zigzag figures (jv>') on each side <strong>of</strong> it<br />

<strong>the</strong>se zigzag lines represent twigs.<br />

The cross-hatched figure to <strong>the</strong> left <strong>of</strong> this latter<br />

stem {^ z) represents <strong>the</strong> extremity <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> creepers<br />

(which are shown in <strong>the</strong> panel next below), and signifies<br />

that <strong>the</strong>se creepers, starting from <strong>the</strong> ground, have<br />

reached <strong>the</strong> topmost branches <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> tree.'<br />

Still fur<strong>the</strong>r to <strong>the</strong> left (next to <strong>the</strong> stem with <strong>the</strong><br />

branches) is represented <strong>the</strong> topmost shoot <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

tree with its leaves still undeveloped. The lower<br />

part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> tree is <strong>of</strong> some interest.<br />

The broad part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> stem is portrayed by peeling<br />

<strong>of</strong>f a thin strip <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> outer cuticle <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> bamboo.<br />

• In <strong>the</strong> (jerman oriy;inal, a sentence a case would necessarily run in Averii-<br />

here follows to <strong>the</strong> elTect that <strong>the</strong> short ca/ direction instead <strong>of</strong> a horizontal<br />

cross - strokes between each pair <strong>of</strong> one.<br />

creepers represent two lines <strong>of</strong> ants, ^ Z./. /i.xwi. 17S. Some <strong>of</strong> V. -St. 's<br />

which are portrayed as running up and explanations in this and <strong>the</strong> following<br />

down <strong>the</strong> creepers. This st^itement, ten pages seem far-fetched, and should<br />

however, conflicts with what goes im- be received with caution. He gives no<br />

mediately before, as <strong>the</strong> strokes in such localities.<br />

VOL. I 2 I<br />

;

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