Processes in the Use/id Arisi^, ,, , , • - 1 63 



Those reefs and shoals exposed by the very low tides during the height 

 of the north-east monsoon afford the most luxuriant crop of this weed, which 

 appears in its native state very similar to a species of fern, the Hamionitis of 

 Linnaeus. The finest agar-agar known in the Archipelago is found on the 

 coast of Billitoii, where it grows to a great length, and fetches when prepared 

 more than double the price of that which is collected elsewhere. On ac- , 

 count of its superior quality it is called by the Malays mayung agar- 

 agar. The whole produce of our vicinity is gathered by the followers 

 and retainers of the Sultan of Johor, who repair to the banks for this pur- 

 pose in the month of December, and remain till April and May, by which 

 time the business is pretty well got through, and gleaners are allowed 

 after this the pickings, until the departure of the Junks, which generally 

 takes place by July, from which time until the next season the beds or 

 fields are allowed to grow. 



It is reported that this season presents the appearance of an extraordi- 

 narily abundant crop, and it is stated that the common harvest of 6000 pe- 

 culs may probably be doubled. 



The inhabitants of the islands of Sugi and Moro are the monopolizers 

 of this commodity, the former of whom are divided into two parties, those 

 living on the banks of Sungei Salet (about 400 persons) occupy the east, 

 and the people of Sungei Sugi (about SOO in number) possess the west 

 side. 



The population of Moro is about 200 souls, and they collect in the 

 Straits of Dryon or Salat Duri, from Red Island to the southward, along 

 the west side only of Pulo Duri. The weed is here found scanty and poor, 

 when compared to the produce of Sugi- 



The grand field extending from the Buffaloe.rock to the east side of 

 Pulo Sugi, about fourteen miles in length, by a nearly similar breadth, 

 belongs to the people of Sungei Salet, who, assisted by the Orang Laut 

 from more distant parts, collect on Pulo Trong, and fish the extensive 

 shoals about Pulo Dankan. The Sungei Sugi people are confined to their 

 own shores. During the season, from 1500 to 2000 poor wretches are 

 more or less engaged in the pursuit, subsisting themselves on their means 

 during the whole time. 



The weed is plucked by the hund very readily, stowed in small boats, 

 and taken ashore, where it is exposed fOr two or three days to the sun, 

 and then brought to Singapore, partly by the natives themselves, and 

 partly by Chinese, who visit the spot, and by taking small investments of 

 rice, &c. &c., by administering to the crying wants of the reapers, and 

 bribing the agents of the Sultan, are enabled to make more advantageous 

 contracts. The whole collection is, however, under the control of the 

 Sultan, whose agents have the power of levying a duty, or allowing the 

 labourers a sum for their trouble as they please, which never exceeds one- 

 third of the value of the weed, when imported into Singapore, fetching 

 generally' in its then half-dry state, and very heavy, from twelve to 

 eighteen Spanish dollars per bahar of twelve peculs. 

 The Chinese sailors belonging to the Junks are the next performers, for 



