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XIII. THE BOTANY OF GUNONG TAHAN, PAHANG. 



By H. N. Ridley, C.M.G., M.A., F.R.S. 



Late Director of Botanic Gardens, 



Straits Settlements. 



As it was intended to collect as thoroughly as possible on the 

 highest mountains of the Tahan Range, the plant-collector 

 who was sent ahead with the baggage to Wray's Camp was 

 instructed not to collect till he reached that point, an altitude 

 of 3,300 feet. Unfortunately he was attacked with Malaria 

 immediately he arrived there, and was sent back after our 

 arrival. I had, however, thanks to the kindness of Mr. 

 Robinson, the use of two Dj-aks in collecting, who proved 

 very useful and were excellent plant-collectors. The Euro- 

 peans of the party, Mr. H. C. Robinson, Mr. C. B. Kloss, and 

 myself, started from Kuala Lipis in a house-boat on June 27th, 

 arrived at Kuala Teku on July 3rd, and reached Wray's Camp 

 July 6th, where regular collecting commenced. 



No attempt was made at collecting before this point was 

 reached, as the plain country through which run the Pahang 

 and the Tembeling Rivers had been fairly well investigated in 

 my first trip in this region in 1890, as had also the forest-flora 

 of the Tahan River. The account of the plants collected 

 there was published in the 'Transactions of the Linnean 

 Society, Botany,' series 2, vol. iii. pp. 267-408. * 



These two distinct floras are very different from any floras 

 of the west coast of the Peninsula, that of the plains con- 

 taining many more of the typical Siamese plants, as well as 

 an additional number of Australian types, missing on the 

 east coast. 



A few notes taken en route from Kuala Lipis to Wray's 

 Camp, however, may be added here. At Jeram Ampai, in the 

 Tembeling River, while the boats, were being drawn up the 

 rapids, I found a new species of Hedyotis, described later, 

 in company with Phyllanthus chamcepence, Ridl., on the rocks, 

 and observed Passiflora fcetida abundant on the river-bank at 

 Pasir Stengah Laut. This South-American plant, introduced 

 into cultivation in Singapore many years ago, seems now 

 to have spread very widely over the whole peninsula, no doubt 

 dispersed by birds. 



Along the Tahan River the Nerrum, Dipterocarpus ohlongi- 

 folius, was in flower as we went up and fruiting on our return, 



note. — The Collection on which this paper is based was made by the 

 author in the course of an expedition to Gunong Tahan in July and August 

 1912 carried out by the F.M.S. Museums. It was intended to form part of a 

 general account of the mountain, the publication of which has been delayed 

 through various causes, though the greater part is in print. 



In order to secure earlier publication of the various new species 

 Mr. Ridley's paper is therefore printed here and apologies are due to the 

 jiuthor for the delay in the issue, which has been unavoidable. Ed. 



