288
The shortness of the crocodile’s tongue, which is a mere stump of a tongue, has probably given
rise to this idea. ↑
289
Also sometimes called “Apa daya,” lit. “What device?” or “What resource?” The front teeth
are also sometimes called kail sĕluang, or “sĕluang” hook, or hook for catching the sĕluang, a
small fish resembling the sardine.—Vide H. C. C. in N. and Q. No. 4, sec. 95, issued with No.
17 of the J.R.A.S., S.B. ↑
290
The question of the mental attributes ascribed to the crocodile is one of great interest, as it is
credited by Malays with a human origin. It is not alleged to shed tears over his victim; but, as
the above account shows, it is far from insensible to the enormity of manslaughter. At the same
time, it is credited with strong common sense (since it is known to “laugh” at those misguided
mortals “who pole a boat down stream,” no less than the tiger which “laughs” at those who
“carry a torch on a moonlight night”), and also has a strict regard for honesty. (Vide infra.) ↑
291
Rewritten from Sel. Journ. vol. iii. No. 19, pp. 309–312. ↑
292
A native-built canoe hollowed out of a tree-trunk is no doubt referred to. ↑
293
Mangrove, of various species, chiefly Rhizophoreæ. ↑
294
Sel. Journ. vol. i. No. 22, pp. 350–351. ↑
295
Vide App. cxxviii. ↑
296
Vide App. cxxx. ↑
297
This and the preceding lines clearly refer to the fable quoted by Sir W. E. Maxwell. There are,
however, many differences in minor details, one version asserting that the head of the first
crocodile was made from the central shoot or cabbage of a cocoa-nut (umbi niyor), its blood of
saffron, and its eyes from the star of the east; another asserting that its dorsal ridge was
manufactured (by Siti Fatimah) from the eaves of the thatch. ↑
298