persal. In the berry-type species, monkeys, bear-cats 
(Arctitis binturong), squirrels, lemurs and even birds eat 
the fruits, because they are attracted by the color or the 
smell (Ridley, 1980: 844,352, 8376; Marsden, 1811: 101); 
they pass the seeds through their digestive tracts un- 
harmed. Thus, the seeds are distributed to places far from 
the mother plants. Bats, the night wanderers, which are 
common in Indonesia, are undoubtedly very important 
in dispersing the seeds of Baccaurea. In the splitting- 
type fruit, which is called yinteh-jntek or ‘‘flick-flick’’— 
from the fact that it gives a flicking sound when it splits 
(Burkill, 1985)—the seeds are thrown out to an appre- 
ciable distance, so that the seedlings can grow to maturity 
without severe competition in obtaining food from the 
mother plants. Man, of course, is animportant agent of 
plant dispersal, and this is true also for the cultivated 
species of Baccaurea. 
CULTIVATION AND PROPAGATION 
Generally, no special care nor labor is necessary in 
cultivating the rambai or khapundung; the method of 
planting is still very primitive and is usually of a hap- 
hazard nature. In a few instances, new plantings receive 
some care during the early stages of growth; but, as soon 
as the plant reaches a mature state and begins flowering 
and fruiting, it will be left by itself, while at the same 
time the fruits are continuously picked. Manuring or 
any other attempt to help the plant grow and yield more 
fruit is rarely practiced. ‘The same is true in regard to the 
improvement in quality of the fruit, such as by selection 
or hybridization, a result, primarily, to lack of knowl- 
edge and appreciation. 
The rambai and kapundung are readily raised from 
seed and grow well in most soils, but the rambaz prefers 
alluvial soils near rivers or places where water is readily 
[ 88 | 
