THE NETHERLANDS-EAST-INDIES. 9 



i. The authors have always been accustomed to walk behind the 

 bearers (coolies), and to see to it, that they kept near them. 

 Natives when once left behind always avail themselves of the 

 opportunity to rest every now and then, and having arrived at the 

 goal for that day, the traveller as a rule has to wait a long time 

 before the most necessary things arrive. 



k. We often read of travellers who lost part of the whole of 

 their collections or even their notes, in consequence of some mishap. 



It also, quite often happens, that the notes have become almost 

 unreadable here and there, or that they have been written so 

 badly, that one can not make head or tail of them afterwards. 

 Besides travellers often disregard the possibility that the notes and 

 collections have to be worked out by some one other with his 

 notes or collections than themselves. The authors never made sad 

 experiences with their notes and collections during their many long 

 travels (and think their success due) to the application of the rules 

 outlined below. They take some time and give some trouble, but 

 since the success of the expedition depends on what has been col- 

 lected and noted down, sufficient trouble and time should be spared 

 for it. In by far the most cases losses are the consequence of 

 carelessness or love of ease, a habit which befalls many strangers 

 in the tropical climate. 



1. All notes made during the day should be worked over and 

 copied plainly and in duplicate by means of carbon paper the very 

 same day. The two copies should be kept apart, and packed in 

 different boxes. Never should a thing worth being noted down 

 be put off till the next day, since new impressions generally make 

 the details fade away rather soon. 



2. Especially in the case of geologic work the samples should, 

 if possible, be collected in duplicate-, originals and duplicates should 

 be packed apart. 



3. The samples should be consecutively numbered', the practice 

 sometimes followed of beginning with 1 every day, gives rise to 

 mistakes. The number written boldly, together with a short indication 

 of the place of origin, should be packed along with the sample of 

 soft Chinese paper, which is obtainable in most Chinese shops. This 

 parcel, with a repetition of the number, is wrapped in a newspaper 

 or other similar packing material, on which the number is painted 

 with Indian ink and brush. Everything should be written in ink! 

 The duplicates should be distinguished in some simple manner or 

 other, e.g. by asterisk. Lists of the samples are likewise kept up 

 in duplicate with indication of the number of the bag and the 



