150 Intelligence and Miscellaneous Articles. 



navigators, and particularly to Europeans trading to Siam. Al- 

 though these islands possess a fine and convenient harbour, and lie 

 within four hours' sail of the mouth of the Siam river, they are but 

 little known, and there is not even a correct chart of them extant. 

 We have therefore the pleasure of laying before our readers such 

 information regarding them as we have been able to collect. 



The group is situated in latitude 13" 12' North, and longitude 100" 

 55' East, and about twenty-six miles from the mouth of the river of 

 Bankok, from which they bear about S.E. The nearest part of the 

 main is the high land of Bampesoi, which is only a few miles di- 

 stant. They are seven or eight in number, but with the exception 

 of the two largest, called by the Siamese Ko-si Chang and Ko Cram, 

 they are small and unimportant. 



Ko-si Chang, the largest of the cluster, is about seven miles long 

 and three broad, and is composed of hills of considerable height, 

 clothed to the water's edge with trees. The varieties of wood are 

 numerous, and some of the descriptions, such as maple and sissoo, 

 are well suited for fine work. The trees are not, however, found of 

 sufficient height or dimensions for ships' masts or yards. On this 

 island there is no cultivation, except a small spot which is inhabited 

 by a solitary Chinese. Ko Cram is about one-fourth the size of the 

 large island, and has a small village on one end of it, occupied by 

 Siamese fishermen, by whose industry a considerable portion of the 

 island has been cleared of wood and brought into cultivation, and 

 produces abundance of maize, and such vegetables as are common 

 on the continent. 



These islands are famous for some rare and beautiful varieties of 

 the wild pigeon. The most remarkable are a large white species 

 with the tips of the wing and tail black, found on most of the islands 

 in the Gulf, but unknown on the continent ; a beautiful brown 

 and purple-coloured description, which is very rare ; and one or two 

 varieties of the small green pigeon. There is a large root found 

 close to the sea, on the smaller islands, which appears to be a new 

 species in the list of plants. In appearance it has a close resem- 

 blance to the Dioscorea bulbifera, or common yam, but it has little 

 or no taste, and grows to an enormous size. We have seen a spe- 

 cimen of this root, which measured ten feet circumference, and 

 weighed ^T'tlbs. The natives use it as a medicine, for which pur- 

 pose it is prepared by cutting it into thin slices and drying it in the 

 sun, when it is pounded or ground down into a powder of a light 

 brown colour. This powder is administered in cases of fever, agues, 

 &c. Land-crabs are numerous in several spots throughout the 

 islands, and are eaten by the natives. 



The Cochin-Chinese who visit Ko-si Chang, on their voyages to 

 Siam, have erected a temple on the large island. This is a small 

 white building, and stands conspicuous on an eminence at the S.W. 

 end. Their traders touch here regularly for supplies of water and 

 fire-wood ; the latter of these articles is easily procured, and is taken 

 away in large quantities by them on their return to Cochin-China, 

 in some parts of which country wood is a scarce article. 



The shores afford the edible birds-nests, so much in request 



amongst 



