348 PROBABLE SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATIONS. 



have collected. But now a more liberal spirit seems to 

 have actuated it, and the magnificent national work on 

 the colonies of Netherlands India, will be such as, when 

 completed, no other nation can boast. At the present 

 time there are two expeditions in Borneo ; one on the 

 west, the other, consisting of three scientific gentlemen, 

 on the southern parts of the island ; and the examination 

 and survey of the fine River Banjar Massing, must be 

 now nearly completed, as I judge, from the time they 

 have been engaged in it. 



Notwithstanding the exertions of the Government of 

 Holland, a fine field yet invites the attention of that 

 of Britain, and the lovers of science will be glad to 

 hear that the fine mountains, valleys, plains and lakes, 

 which render the north of Borneo, the most majestically 

 beautiful of any part of the island, have had appointed 

 for their investigation, Dr. Joseph Hooker, who has 

 already so distinguished himself by his researches 

 during the Antarctic Expedition, the account of which 

 has been published under the patronage of the Admi- 

 ralty. This selection of our Government is peculiarly 

 happy, as, in addition to the great acquirements of 

 Dr. Hooker in Botany, he possesses a skill in the 

 investigation of minerals, zoology, and other depart- 

 ments of science, which are rarely combined in one 

 individual. 



The lofty mountains, hitherto untrodden by the foot 

 of civilized man, will doubtless be found as rich, or 

 more rich if possible, in minerals, than the lower 

 portion of the island ; and it is well known that the 



