THE NETHERLANDS-EAST-INDIES. 23 



for the contents. Clothes and other articles not proof against the 

 dampness, should be packed in small boxes covered with thin leather 

 and provided with a lock. These boxes are sold in various 

 Chinese shops at the principal places, they are light, strong and 

 water-tight, they should not however remain too long on the bare 

 ground. 



10. BIYOU AC-BUILDING. 



a. for one night. If the night cannot be spent in a pasangrahan 

 or native hut, or if there are objections against this kind of habitation 

 the Indian climate as a rule permits the use of a simple shelter 

 made of a framework of forestwood, which the coolies (at least in 

 woody districts) construct in very little time. This however is only 

 advisable in regions where there are no beasts of prey in the vicinity. 

 Roof and walls are made of leaves or alang (a long and strong kind 

 of grass). Of course the roof is usuallly not quite water-tight, and 

 not proof against heavy showers or strong winds. If travelling in 

 the rainy season is necessary, the traveller will be compelled to 

 bring a water-tight roof-covering or to use a good tent, which 

 however, in order not to be too heavy, should be small. Oiled or 

 rotproof canvas seems to be best. Some travellers seem to have had 

 unpleasant experiences with silk tents. The second author always 

 preferred making use of the native dwellings if there was a possi- 

 bility, first for convenience sake, and secondly to have a better 

 opportunity of gathering necessary information, hiring guides, buying 

 food, and keeping in contact with the population generally. 



b. for a longer duration. As a rule it will be possible to have 

 a simple temporary building erected from forest-wood. It is recom- 

 mendable to draw a groundplan of it, to indicate the height of 

 walls and ridge and then to contract for the whole for a certain 

 sum within a definite time. We should make sure that the contractor 

 really understands what is meant and the traveller not omit to 

 inspect the progress of the building now and then. The roof-covering 

 will have to depend on what the land furnishes. The most essential 

 thing is that the hut is made water-tight. If there are not too many 

 objections to transportation, it may be possible to bring good roof- 

 covering from the seaside-town (kadjang-mats, which are in general 

 use for the roofs of the bidars) ; otherwise atap or alang, or some- 

 times both together with broad leaves, may be made use of. All 

 covering is protected against being blown off by bamboo or solidly 

 fastened laths. The walls are best made of beaten bark. Around 



