interpret as a corruption of Buwa-zangi, ‘Fruit of Zang,’ or E. Africa. They were cast up
occasionally on the islands of the S.W. coast of Sumatra; and the wild people of the islands
brought them for sale to the Sumatran marts, such as Padang and Priamang. One of the largest
(say about twelve inches across) would sell for 150 rix dollars. But the Malay princes coveted
them greatly, and would sometimes (it was alleged) give a laden junk for a single nut. In India
the best-known source of supply was from the Maldive Islands.
“The medical virtues of the nut were not only famous among all the people of the East,
including the Chinese, but are extolled by Piso and by Rumphius, with many details. The latter,
learned and laborious student of nature as he was, believed in the submarine origin of the nut,
though he discredited its growing on a great palm, as no traces of such a plant had ever been
discovered on the coasts. The fame of the nut’s virtues had extended to Europe, and the
Emperor Rudolf II. in his latter days offered in vain 4000 florins to purchase from the family of
Wolfert Hermanszen, a Dutch Admiral, one which had been presented to that commander by
the King of Bantam, on the Hollander’s relieving his capital, attacked by the Portuguese in
1602.”—Hobson-Jobson, loc. cit.
To this valuable note I would add that Rumphius is evidently wrong if he derives the name of
the tree, “Pau-sengi,” from the Malay “Buwa-zangi.” The first part of the word is “Pau” or
“Pauh,” which is perfectly good Malay, and is the name given to various species of mango,
especially the wild one, so that “Pau-sengi” actually represents (not “Buwa,” but) “Pauh
Janggi,” which is to this day the universal Malay name for the tree which grows, according to
Malay fable, in the central whirlpool or Navel of the Seas. Some versions add that it grows
upon a sunken bank (tĕbing runtoh), and is guarded by dragons. This tree figures largely in
Malay romances, especially those which form the subject of Malay shadow-plays, (vide infra,
Pl. 23, for an illustration of the Pauh Janggi and the Crab). Rumphius’ explanation of the
second part of the name (i.e. Janggi) is, no doubt, quite correct. ↑
14
The following passage describes how a magic prince visited the Navel of the Seas:—
“Presently he arrived at his destination—the Navel of the Seas—(Pusat tasek). All the
monsters of the ocean, the whales and monster fishes, and colossal dragons (naga umbang),
and the magic dragons (naga sri naga ka-sak-tian), assembled together to eat and devour him,
and such a tumult arose that the Raja Naga, who was superior to all, heard it and came to see.
Now when he beheld the Golden Dragon he opened his jaws to their full extent, and made
three attempts to seize and swallow him, but failed each time. At length, however, he caught
him, and dashed him against the sea bottom with such force that his head was buried in the
ground, but the little dragon cared not at all. Then the Raja Naga said: ‘Tell me the truth! from
what land hast thou fallen (titek dĕri pada nĕgri ninggua mana), and whose son and offspring