OF MT. KINABALU AND BRITISH NORTH BORNEO. 19 
and Pittosporum ferrugineum were found in flower, as well as the well-armed 
Erythrina lithosperma. l 
Many sandbanks were exposed in the river, but all the plants collected 
proved aliens. Oldenlandia diffusa, Scoparia dulcis, Phyllanthus Urinaria, 
Mariscus Sieberianus, Fimbristylis meliacea and F. diphylla, Cyperus aria 
and Eragrostis amabilis formed an “ opportunity ” flora in a wooded country 
where plants of that type have generally no chance of germinating. On this 
estate, originally cleared for tobacco, but now growing rubber as well, a 
beautiful garden was laid out round the Manager’s house, the work of love 
of a former Dutch manager, showing all the care and taste in planning 
and planting, which is so pleasing a feature in Java, where no pains are 
spared to ensure a permanent result. At Melalap, roses flowered all 
the year and many fruit trees were now in bearing. Such cultured 
surroundings have also a hygienic value; for to grow rubber or other 
trees right up to European habitation is against all rules of tropical practice, 
as they not only impede the free circulation of air, but also harbour 
mosquitoes. 
After Melalap, alien cultivation was left behind and the“ rentis? ran through 
beautiful forest, over perpetual ridges from 2000-3000’ ; but the grading was 
so easy that one almost wished for the native tracks, the bridle-paths being 
made with a view to a future wheeled traffic. Family parties of little 
Muruts continuously passed by, always in single file, each laden with 
bundles of rotans, mats and baskets of dammar, and wearing only jacket and 
‘chawat and picturesque hats that sufficed against wind and rain. They were 
all bound to or from Tenom to barter jungle produce in the Chinese “ kedehs.”’ 
In some places Murut graves could be seen, elaborately constructed of wood 
resembling small houses, with the ends of the uprights whittled into thin 
laminæ, and decorated with coloured bits of cloth. Wild Pineapples clustered 
in the small clearings made for these structures. 
At Senagong, less than half-way to Kaningau, there is an intermediate 
rest-house, by some padi fields—where Monochoria hastefolia was growing in 
a ditch. From here, the * rentis " continues over the same type of country 
till one suddenly emerges from the forest on to the Kaningau plain. 
This plain is 1000' in altitude and about 20 miles long, a flat expanse 
surrounded by hill, which we skirted for 4 to 5 miles past Murut 
*eampongs and padi fiells to the Station, beautifully situated on a hill, 
commanding a view of the whole plain. A few fine trees with a good 
sward underneath gave a grateful shade while not shutting out the breezes or 
the view, the buildings comprising the police quarters and the pleasant abode 
of the District Officer, Mr. W. C. Weedon, whom I had left at Melalap, 
where he had most kindly made all arrangements for my transport, and lent 
me his house for the two nights I spent at Kaningau. Here, beyond the 
c2 
