148 PULO TIGA. [1846. 



sulkily. The last river in this great bay, is the Kuala- 

 panco. This is an extensive river, with a wide entrance, 

 but barred to vessels drawing ten feet, or four feet at low 

 water. No natives were noticed, either within its mouth, 

 nor in its immediate neighbourhood. Northerly of this, 

 the Pulo Tiga, or three island group, stands out to sea- 

 ward, forming the western horn of this great bay. The 

 largest of the group is nearest to the point of Borneo, 

 and has a safe channel between, although a long reef 

 showing clearly, as white water, extends from the 

 southern part of the island, and is easily avoided. The 

 current sets strongly easterly. Between the second and 

 third, the channel is safe, but not without a pilot ; be- 

 tween the outer and second, it is barred by an extensive 

 flat of reef, studded with numerous rocks. The outer 

 island, received the name of Bird Island from us, in con- 

 sequence of the numerous bones and skeletons of birds 

 found upon it. As we were delayed some time cleansing 

 its summit for a station, an explanation of the unusual 

 quantity of bones, &c., was offered by the self-capture of 

 a bird in the toils which cover the trees, consisting of 

 seed. These seed-vessels, belonging to an undescribed 

 species of Pisonia, are covered with very minute recurved 

 hooks, which on being applied to the skin, seem not only 

 to have the power of tension, by the hook, but are also 

 charged with a fine resinous matter, the combination 

 acting equal to bird-lime. The bird settling on the tree, 

 first finds the tips of its feathers caught, and, in the 

 struggle to release itself, becomes hampered ; the object, 

 which we found surprised by these seed-vessels, had been 

 entangled between the wings on the back, and was 



