442 Scientific Travellers. 



crimson flowers and flocks of birds. Its wool is sometimes used for 

 stuffing pillows or beds. 



The Gamboge tree was found of large size, and in considerable, 

 quantity, in clearing the jungle from the summit of the N. W. Peak ; 

 it was well known to the natives ; but no use is made of its beautiful 

 gum, which covered the stems in considerable quantities. It lives 

 in the higher jungles. 



It is not doubtless the only tree in these wilds yielding a valuable 

 gum, but want of acquaintance with botanical science prevented re- 

 searches of that kind, which might have led to useful discovery. The 

 safety and facility, and even enjoyment with which such researches 

 may be carried on in the fine season, in the woods of Chedooba, 

 seem however to point them out as a spot very eligible for the care- 

 ful examination of an able botanist, unless indeed they be considered 

 too limited in extent to exhibit a sample of the general character of 

 the jungles of this coast. 



A very brilliant crimson gum was found to flow in great quantity 

 from a large creeper (7^allee-medzou-nowy) which is very common. 

 If dried speedily in the sun, becoming very brittle, but retaining its 

 colour ; it is of very asti'ingent quality, and is used in some diseases 

 as a medicine by the native quacks. 



I may not fail to mention another creejDcr, whose properties are as 

 valuable as interesting, and not the less so from its being found 

 everywhere, both high and low. It is truly a traveller's friend, and 

 the wandering Mug well appreciates its value. With his dah he 

 cuts oflf a junk and quenches his thirst with its contents, a pure, 

 tasteless, cool water, of which it contains as much as its large nu- 

 merous pores will hold, and which are immediately emptied by 

 holding the piece perpendicular. A piece about 2 feet in length, and 

 as thick as a small wrist, gave rather more than half a pint of water. 

 In the rainy season it would have given double that quantity. 



In travelling through the jungles, the liquid of this water-creeper 

 (Jabroon nony) is the constant beverage of the natives, when not 

 otherwise supplied with that necessary, and its universal presence 

 makes him very independent in his choice of road. 



The rattan is everywhere found in the jungles, and performs all 

 the ordinary duties of rope ; it grows to a great size ; two were 

 taken from the West Hill 114 feet in length, and \^ inch diameter. 



Although Chedooba may not be looked to for supplying valuable 

 timber to other parts, yet for its own consumption, and most, if not 

 all domestic purposes, it jiossesses amply sufficient to meet any de- 

 mand. For such purposes plank may easily be brought down from 

 the hill, whence the whole tree must be immoveable. The lower 

 jungles contain woods perfectly adapted to such uses ; and in those 

 of the Eastern Plains was found the Thew-gaan growing plentifully, 

 some of the trees between 2 and 3 feet in diameter, and which itself 

 would supply material for almost all purposes. The wood of this 

 tree is hard and close-grained, of a yellow colour and most durable. 

 In the southern provinces of Tenasserira it grows to an immense 

 size, and in the Sandoway district ; hereafter its qualities may 



