CLIMATE AND BIOLOGICAL CONDITIONS 15 



uninterrupted downpour did not occur during my two 

 years of traveL It comes in showers, usually lasting an 

 hour or two, when it clears as suddenly as it began, and 

 within half an hour all is dry again. In the interior, on 

 account of the vast jungles, except in case of thunder- 

 storms, which are rare, there is no wind, but on the coasts 

 one may encounter storms in the time of both the north- 

 east and the southwest monsoons. Though Borneo and 

 the central mountains of New Guinea have the greatest 

 rainfall in the Malay Archipelago, there is a distinct 

 dry season, which is mostly felt during April, May, and 

 June, but is less noticeable in the central parts. As re- 

 gards the distribution of rain and dry weather, some dif- 

 ference was experienced as between the two years, and a 

 planter of several years' experience in the south told me 

 that one year is not like another. In spite of the general 

 supposition to the contrary the climate of Borneo is quite 

 pleasant, and probably less unhealthful than most equa- 

 torial regions, particularly in the central part where ma- 

 laria is rare and prickly heat does not occur. 



Borneo has very many useful trees, notably hard 

 woods. Rubber is still a source of income to the Malays 

 and Dayaks, and the rattan and bamboo, on which the 

 very existence of the natives depends, grow everywhere. 

 The sago-palm and a great number of valuable wild fruits 

 are found, such as the famous durian, mangosteen, lansat, 

 rambutan, and others. The climate seems to be specially 

 suited to fruit, the pineapple and pomelo reaching their 

 highest perfection here. The coconut-palm thrives on 

 the island. Borneo is famous for its orchids and most of 



