Page:Journal of the Straits Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society (IA journalofstrait391903roya).pdf/89

 which the stone implements found in the Malay Peninsula are made, which are also called Batu lintar. It is pressed firmly against the body wherever pain is felt.

iv. Batu nitar, another name for Thunder-bolt: a minute four-side crystal, half an inch long and about two lines thick. A charm to be used only in extreme cases. It is dipped in water and then shaken over the patient. If he starts when the drops of water fall upon his body he will recover, otherwise he will die.

v. Batu krung jiranau, or Petrified root-stock of jiranau (a Zingiberad?). They told us this is the Dyak name of a kind of wild ginger. The word is curiously near to Jerangau or Jeringu, which Ridley says is Acorus caiamus: "a plant much used by native medicine-men," (Wilkinson, Malay-English Diction- ary.) The thing so called was possibly part of the back-bone of some animal, bent double and the two ends tied together, each vertebra brown and shining after long use. A charm for dysen- tery and indigestion, and also for consumption. It is dipped in oil, and rubbed on the patient's body in a downward direction.

vi. Batu ilau. or Sparkling stone, also called Batu kras, or the hard stone. A six-sided crystal, two inches long and three quarters of an inch thick. One end appeared to have been for- merly stuck into some sort of handle, as it was covered with malau, or lac. This is the indispensable sight-stone to be looked into for a view of that which is future, or distant, or otherwise in- visible to ordinary eyes. It is specially used by Manangs, for discovering where the soul of the sick man, wandering away from the body, is concealing itself; or for detecting the particular demon who is causing the illness.

There were also, jumbled up together at the bottom of the bag, a number of tusks of wild boar, pebbles, and other rubbish, but these were pronounced to be utai ngapa, things of no import- ance. One article that we hoped to find was absent. Dasu said he should be glad indeed to have it, but it had never come in his way. It is the Batu burung endan, or Pelican stone. He ex- plained to us that this is a stone which has the magical power of securing the presence and cooperation of a spirit who dwells in the form of the endau, (pelicanus malaccensis). When the Manang is seeking to enter Selayan, the Spirit world, in search