Blowguns and Darts

The most effective weapon used by the Batak is the blowgun, through which he shoots a small poisoned dart. The gun is constructed by placing a tube of reed inside a larger piece or bamboo, and fastening it in position with pitch. The dart is of light wood, the point of which is dipped in poison, while the otehr end is fitted with a cone shaped piece of pith, cut so that it fits the tube. This is impelled through the gun by the force of the breath, and flies with considerable force and accuracy for a distance of forty or fifty feet. A bamboo quiver for carrying the darts is worn at the side. Poison is made by boiling down the sap of a tree, probably the Ipoh, with the intestine of a certain fish, until it forms a thick fluid. This si an alkaline poison which, upon entering the circulation,paralyzes the heart, but does not injure the flesh for food purposes. BATAK. Northern Palawan, Philippine Islands. Robert F. Cummings Expedition. F.C. Cole, Collector.