Chapter Five and Chapter Six Summary and Analysis

The fifth chapter starts with O'Hanlon and Leon discussing the Iban practice of head-hunting. When the Iban would kill men, they would take their heads back to camp and let them rot until only the skulls were left. Head-hunting occurs increasingly less frequently. At midday, the team climb into their canoe and started to travel up the Rajang River. After about ten miles, the primeval jungle began. The river becomes narrower and winds more; the rapids also increase. Along the way, O'Hanlon observes a variety of rare species, including birds and fish.

Eventually, the men decide to make camp; the clearing they find is covered in animal life. O'Hanlon takes pictures of various rare butterflies. Next, James and he teach the Iban how to fish like Englishmen, although it turns out that James...