Siak possesses one said to be valued at $900.
“Natives maintain that they are an almost infallible medicine in cases of chest or bowel
complaints, but their principal value is founded on their reputed virtue as a powerful
aphrodisiac. To operate in this way one is worn on the navel tied up in a piece of cloth, or
water in which one has been soaked is drunk.”—F. Kehding on Siak (Sumatra) in J.R.A.S.,
S.B., No. 17, pp. 153–4. ↑
277
J.R.A.S., S.B., No. 9, p. 24 n. As to Paujangi (Pauh Janggi) vide pp. 6–9, supra. ↑
278
Vide Chapter IV. supra. ↑
279
For the charm used at the insertion of the twigs, vide App. cxxii. ↑
280
Vide App. cxxiv. ↑
281
J.R.A.S., S.B., No. 9, p. 26. ↑
282
This recalls the account in Northern mythology of the four rivers which are said to flow from
the teats of the cow Audhumla.
In a great many Malay myths the colour white is an all-important feature. In this legend we
have the white Semang and the white river. In others white animals and white birds are
introduced. ↑
283
J.R.A.S., S.B., No. 9, p. 95. ↑
284
J.R.A.S., S.B., No. 7, pp. 24–26. ↑
285
The most usual name of the crocodile-spirit, as given in such charms as I have succeeded in
collecting, is Sambu Agai, or, as it is also called, Jambu Rakai. ↑
286
Kira-kira means “accounts.” ↑
287
Selangor Journal, vol. iii. No. 6, pp. 93, 94. ↑