General Notices. 275 



Dammar, the resinous gum of many kinds of trees, quite different from 

 Damara australis, is an article of considerable trade. Tlie kulit lawang 

 of commerce is the aromatic bark of a wild species of cinnamon, and is 

 produced in abundance. Cotton of excellent quality has been produced 

 on the island, and its cultivation will probably hereafter become important. 

 Pepper is exportedin large quantities: this aromatic is not used by the 

 natives of the countries which produce it. Coffee thrives well. Tobacco 

 is grown in small quantities. The Theobroma Cacao proves to be prolific 

 in the island. Ginger grows well in the gardens, and turmeric is found 

 wild in abundance. Many valuable hard woods are produced in the mag- 

 nificent forests, but the trees are little known ; the hardest and most dura- 

 ble is called balean, and is almost incorruptible. There are in the island 

 upwards of sixty species of trees which produce excellent timber. Ebony 

 is abundant in many parts of the island. Several scented woods are 

 known to exist. The flowers of Borneo are not less grateful and beau- 

 tiful than the forests are grand and majestic. The most striking men- 

 tioned by Mr. Low, are, the species of Ccelogyne, called " flowers of mer- 

 cy," all highly fragrant, and exceedingly beautiful ; several Vandas, of 

 which a fine one has been named V. Lowei ; a beautiful Cypripedium ; 

 Dendrobiums are insignificant, but the Erias are abundant, and very beau- 

 tiful ; there are many beautiful species of Ixora and Pavetta ; four beau- 

 tiful species of Clerodendon, the handsomest of which, with crimson flow- 

 ers, named after Captain C. D. Bethune, is introduced to England ; Lysi- 

 onotus Aucklandii, surpassing any other yet known ; Hoya imperialis ; and 

 a showy species of Bauhinia. Perhaps the most gorgeous are the species 

 of Rhododendron, which here assume a peculiar form, being found epiphyt- 

 al on the trunks of trees ; the roots, instead of being small and fibrous, 

 as wiih the species of colder climates, become large and fleshy, winding 

 round the trunks of the forest trees. The most beautiful is the one I have 

 named in compliment to Mr. Brooke, [Rhododendron Brookeanum,] the 

 flowers being large, and in large heads, produced throughout the year, and 

 of all shades, from full rich yellow, to a rich, reddish salmon color. The 

 most attractive plants of all are, however, the pitcher plants, eight species 

 of which Mr. Low discovered in the western part of the island. "The 

 largest Bornean one, which I propose to call Nepenthes Hookeriana, in 

 honor of Sir W. J. Hooker, the able director of the Botanic Garden at 

 Kew, is found growing in deep and shady jungles, climbing to the tops 

 of the trees. The pitcher is nine inches in length, having a large lid 

 standing on a column which is a continuation of the beautiful edge of the 

 pitcher ; that part which is broadest, and turned towards the midrib of the 

 leaf from which it depends, is furnished with two broad wings, which are 

 beautifully ciliated ; the broad pitcher — for this, like the Rafflesiana, pro- 

 duces two kinds — is generally crimson ; the long pitcher differs from the 

 other in its trumpet shape and green color, which is spotted with crimson. 

 Six plants of this are now in England. 



The fruits of the Indian islands since their first discovery have been held 

 in the highest esteem. Malaya's Nectared Mangustin has been, by all 



