BORNEO 2:U 



numerous rhododendrons, forming trees 20 feet higli, as 

 in the Himalayas ; here the characteristic Mahiyan 

 pitcher-plants {Nepenthes) reach their maximum of size, 

 variety, and beauty ; and here are found such typical 

 Australian genera as Leptospermum, Leucopogon, Cop- 

 rosma, Dacrydium, and several others, among which is 

 the Antarctic genus Drimys. In the lowlands, too, there 

 are rhododendrons growing parasitically on trees or on 

 exposed rocks ; ferns and orchids are in endless variety ; 

 and the strange Vanda Lowii hangs down its elegant 

 flowers, like crimson stars, strung upon slender cords 

 sometimes 10 feet in length. 



The zoology of Borneo has its closest affinities with 

 that of Sumatra, thus differing considerably from Java. 

 It is rather remarkable that the tiger, which is connnon 

 in both the latter islands, should be unknown. There 

 are, however, two smaller felines, F. macroscelis, the 

 Clouded Tiger, and F. marmoratm. The elephant is 

 tolerably common in British North Borneo, but its range 

 appears to be very limited— a curious fact when the 

 suitability of the rest of the island is taken into con- 

 sideration. Some naturalists have sought to explain the 

 fact by suggesting that they are the descendants of tlie 

 trained animals formerly in possession of the Sultans of 

 Brunei, an explanation which is possible, but not 

 probable. For the Sumatran rhinoceros shows tlie 

 same tendency to confine itself to this north-eastern 

 promontory, and here no similar explanation can hold 

 good. Both animals are found quite close to Sandakan. 

 The elephants have destroyed plantations in the vicinity 

 of the town, and rhinoceros have been known to enter its 

 suburbs. The tapir is also reported to exist. Wild 

 cattle (Bos hanteng) are very numerous in parts, and here 

 again we find that British North Borneo is the favourite 



