THEIR COMMERCE. 339 



Milanowe victors. It is from the Milanowe settlement, 

 particularly from Hoya and Mocha, that the greater 

 part of the sago from the west coast of Borneo is 

 exported, which is cultivated by the Milanowes, to 

 the same extent that rice is amongst the other tribes. 

 The traders of Sarawak, and of Serekei, and boats 

 belonging to the place, carry this produce in its rough 

 state to Singapore, where it is manufactured; and 

 being purified by continued washings, is prepared for 

 the European market, to which it has recently been 

 sent, with profit to the cultivator and the manu- 

 facturer. 



The " Meri" people, who live on the coast near the 

 Bintulu and other rivers in that neighbourhood, appear 

 very much to resemble the Milanowes, and like them, 

 cultivate much sago, though they export, in addition, 

 much camphor and bees'-wax to the capital of Borneo, 

 where they are compelled to send it by the nobles, who 

 annually send agents from among their unprincipled 

 followers to collect the produce of these villages. By these 

 Borneons, who have settled at Mocha in considerable 

 numbers, the trade of that place has also been much 

 injured ; but the Pangeran of Hoya, with Mr. Brooke's 

 assistance, has been able to keep them away. 



In personal appearance, the men of the Milanowes 

 have much resemblance to the other races inhabiting 

 the island, from whom they cannot, by their features, be 

 distinguished. The women, however, enjoy the reputation 

 of being far more beautiful than those of any of the 

 other tribes, and slaves from this nation are sold for a 



z 2 



