[149] This is due to the practice, observed and described by Mr Man, of flattening the occiput and forehead of infants by the mother, who gently exerts pressure by means of a small pillow, and the palms and outstretched fingers of both hands for an hour or so at a time.--_Jour. Anthrop. Inst._, Feb. 1894, p. 238. "It is a custom with them to compress with their hands the occiput of the new-born child; by this method they say the hair remains close to the head as nature intended it, and the upper fore-teeth very prominent out of the mouth."--Nicholas Fontana, _Asiatic Researches_, vol. iii. [150] Besides the aquiline noses already mentioned, a distinctly Jewish or Papuan feature is occasionally to be met with. [151] "They have _terms_ answering to 'How d'ye do?' and 'Good-bye.' The following are said in the Central Islands:-- A. _Met chai-chachá-ka?_--How d'ye do? B. _Pehárí_ (said in response).--The same to you. A. _Yáshe me ra._--Good-bye (said by the person leaving). B. _Tawátse me rakát._--Good-bye, _lit._, Thus you at present moment (said in response). A. _Pehárí._--The same to you. At the other islands there are corresponding terms."--E. H. Man. [152] V. Solomon. [153] Professor A. H. Keane, "Man, Past and Present," _Camb. Geog. Series_, 1899. [154] _Vide_ plate facing 248. [155] Père Barbe, _Jour. Asiatic Soc., Bengal._, vol. xv. [156] Tanamara, headman of Malacca, Nankauri, when questioned on this point, stated that the spirits were all evil:--"What, no got good devil--_hantu baik_? No, all bad; plenty fever-devil, _plen-ty_ devil eat man." But, with reference to this assertion, Mr Man writes:--"The names of certain good spirits have often been given to me at Nankauri, and by Tanamara himself." One inference is, that the latter purposely denied their existence in order to be spared the trouble of answering further questions on the subject. [157] (_a_) "On the path, at no great distance from the (Dyak) village, rude wooden figures of a man and woman are placed, one on each side opposite to each other, with short wooden spears in their mouths. They are called _Tebudo_, and are said to be inhabited by friendly _hantu_ (spirits) who keep the path clear of inimical spirits."--Chalmers. (_b_) "The Bed[=a]jo[=e] possess a multitude of large wooden idols called _Hampatong_, as well as other objects which cult or superstition has consecrated. Every habitation of this tribe, as well as those of the Dusuns, has several small wooden idols who are supposed to guard the habitation, protect the rice harvest, preserve the inhabitants against sickness, and to fulfil generally analogous functions. The Dyaks collect, with the same object, skulls of monkeys, bears, and wild cats, which they preserve in little boxes called _kamontoha_, and which they suspend in the houses."--S. Müller.