Note 30 — Chapter XI · Tree-, Herb-, and Stone-lore
Reading edition
The Kayan of Sumatra are familiar with the beliefs that connect stones and vegetables with the sky and water. They say that “in the beginning there was a rock. On this rain fell and gave rise to moss, and the worms, aided by the dung beetles, made soil by their castings. Then a sword handle came down from the sun and became a large tree. From the moon came a creeper which, hanging from the tree, mated through the action of the wind.” From this union of tree and creeper, i.e. sun and moon, “the first men were produced”.30