202 



CHAPTER X. 



Excursion further inland — Dense forest — An extensive 

 swamp — Parasitical plants — Fungi — The pitcher plant — 

 Return to Singapore — The wild Pine-apple — Use of that 

 plant — Manufactory of Pearl Sago— Visit to the Rajah of 

 Johore — Interview with his Highness — Excursion to St. 

 John's Island — Pulo Panjang — Impenetrable jungle — New 

 Harbour — Agar-agar. 



After breakfast we continued our excursion 

 much further inland, passing through several ex- 

 tensive cleared spots, embellished by Gambir and 

 Pepper plantations ; the residence of the pro- 

 prietor, or a Gambir boiling-house, appeared 

 amidst a thicket of plantain, jack, and other 

 trees. The grounds near the residences of the 

 planters were decorated by the crimson flowers 

 of the Hibiscus rosa chhiensis,* the simple but 



* The Malays at Singapore, in the employ of Europeans, 

 often use the flowers of this shrub for cleansing shoes, by 

 rubbing them with the petals of the flowers, which contain a 

 quantity of purplish black astringent juice. After rubbing 



