29 
idea to a scientific mind. Some are useful for ship-building : 
others have a wonderful faculty of resisting the influence of 
water, the atmosphere, and even the destructive White Ants; 
while others again produce large quantities of Vegetable Tallow. 
Charcoal, pot-ash, and pearl-ashes are yielded by burning the 
timber of others. %ony grows in many places, and the rungas 
is a handsome red wood, capable of receiving a fine polish, and 
much prized at Singapore for the purpose of making ornamental 
furniture. Generally speaking, however, there are not many 
sorts of ornamental wood in the island. Several scented kinds 
are known, though few of them are collected; and those which 
the inhabitants do procure, they have not yet learned to turn to 
- profit by exporting them. The Sandal-wood, though it grows 
on ‘Timor, has not, at present, been observed in Borneo. 
Lignum Aloes, called Garu by the aborigines, is sent to Arabia 
and China, where it is purchased for making incense: it seems 
to be caused by the disease of particular trees ; for this scented 
and resinous part of the trunk is only procurable after the tree 
has been cut down and is decayed. 
Dye-stuffs and Tannin are the produce of many barks and 
fruits in these Isles of the Indian Ocean. They are, however, 
only used for home-consumption. 
——_——_—— 
The Flowers of Borneo. 
It has been said, and with much truth, that no country in the 
world produces such ravishing perfumes as the Isles of the 
Malayan Archipelago. The flowers of Borneo, in particular, are — 
as lovely aud sweet-scented as her forests are extensive and 
stately. The odours of Velur (a species of Jasmine), Champaka 
(a Michelia), and Kananga (Uvaria) ave everywhere known and 
prized. The woods also abound in shrubs and flowers, which 
delight the eye and attract the botanist’s curiosity by their rich 
hues and peculiar structure. As in most tropical countries, the 
Orchideous Tribes are numerous and lovely; and, especially on 
the open banks, where they enjoy their chief requisites of sun 
and moisture, these charming parasites may be seen entwining 
with their short-lived beauty the otherwise unsightly and naked 
trunks of the decaying trees. 
The genus Ce/logyne has the advantage of great fragrance 
besides the delicacy of its white and orange flowers ; and several 
Species of Vanda abound, equalling those of the continent of 
