222 NEW HARBOUR. 



appearance of the half-naked Malays did not 

 tend in any degree to dissipate the reality of the 

 comparison, but rather tended to confirm it. A 

 kind of millet, called Sukue, {Pennisetum italiciim, 

 Brown,) was also cultivated in small patchesby the 

 Malays, and several magnificent trees of the Bom- 

 hax pentandi^ium, or silk cotton-tree, rose in tower- 

 ing beauty, mingled with the cocoa-palm above, 

 the dwellings. Only a very small portion of this 

 island was cleared, the remainder forming an 

 almost impenetrable jungle, a refuge only for 

 monkeys and wild hogs. We found it ver}^ dif- 

 ficult to penetrate the luxuriant and entangled 

 branches of the pine-apple plant, as we walked 

 from one part of the island to another to join 

 the boat, at a very short distance. 



Having rejoined our boat, we passed through 

 the beautifully picturesque strait, commonly 

 named the New Harbour, one side of which is 

 formed by Pulo Panjong, or Long Island, The 

 land about this harbour possesses many sites 

 eminently calculated for beautiful European re- 

 sidences, and plantations, where one could gaze 

 with delight, in peaceful retirement, upon the 

 tranquil scenes of nature, enjoying the refresh- 

 ing sea breezes, and be, at the same time, only 

 a short distance from the bustle of a commercial 

 town. This place would not be advisable as a 

 resort for shipping, the present roadstead being 



