M. SEEMANN’S JOURNAL. 91 
in length, and of a dark brown, almost black, colour. I find that 
the Malays know, as well as the Mexicans, that the best remedy for 
Scorpion-bites is the scorpion itself, though they differ somewhat in 
its application. The Mexicans plunge the animal in spirits, and then 
apply the infusion to the wound, while the Malays make a direct use 
of its pounded body. 
My excursions extended iu different directions; but as no mountains 
exist, there is not much choice. One day I intended to explore a small 
river which runs through an estate belonging to Mr. Montgomerie, 
whose father, the well-known Dr. W. Montgomerie, rendered such emi- 
nent services to science by the first introduction of the Gutta Taban. 
Thisriver had been ascended by both Meyen and Mrs. Ida Pfeiffer, who 
expressed themselves very much pleased with the locality ; but as no 
rain had fallen for several days, the shallowness of the water prevented 
me from following their traces. Mrs. Pfeiffer is a German lady, who 
has excited great interest in those parts which she visited ; and, indeed, 
a lady who, unaccompanied by any male protector, makes a voyage 
round the world merely for the sake of enriching natural history, must 
ever be an object of admiration. Mrs. Pffeiffer’s expenses are chiefly 
defrayed, I understand, by a wealthy bookseller in Vienna, who thus 
encourages her in these pursuits with the view of publishing the result*. 
While staying at Singapore I experienced great kindness from several 
of the residents, especially the house of Rautenberg and Schmidt. 
The attention which I received at almost every place, even the most 
remote, I am far from ascribing to any personal merit or advantage, 
but rather to the daily extending spread of education, and the conse- 
quent favour which people are inclined to bestow upon science and 
even its most humble promoters; and I think that such acts should 
always be duly acknowledged whenever place and opportunity present — 
themselves, Se ee 
On the 9th of January, 1851, we continued our voyage, and, passing _ 
between the numerous islands of the Indian Archipelago, reached the- 
Straits of Sunda, where a series of calms and light winds detained usa. 
few days. The sight of these Straits is indeed beautiful. On one side 
Java, on the other Sumatra, both teeming with vegetation, and present- 
ing a variety of tints, a freshness, a luxuriance truly wonderful, —— o 
dered still more imposing by the elevated mountains which charmingly E 
* The narrative of this remarkable voyage has since been published in various — 
languages. 
