i6 THROUGH CENTRAL BORNEO 



the species of pitcher-plants {nepenthes) are found here, 

 the largest of which will hold two "quarts" of water. 



The elephant, rhinoceros, tapir, wild cattle, and 

 many other kinds of smaller animals of Asia are found in 

 Borneo. No Indian tigers are in the country, though 

 many varieties of the cat family are there, among them 

 the beautiful large felis nebulosa. Wild pigs of many 

 species roam the jungle in abundance. Several kinds of 

 mammals are peculiar to the island, among which may be 

 mentioned the long-nosed monkey {nasalis larvatus). 

 There are over 550 species of birds, but the individuals of 

 the species are not numerous; the pheasant family is 

 especially gorgeous in form and colour. The rivers and 

 the surrounding sea swarm with fish of many kinds, fur- 

 nishing an abundance of food, although generally not very 

 palatable. The djelavat, in flavour not unlike salmon, 

 and the salap, both of which I met in the upper courses of 

 the rivers Samba, Barito, and Mahakam, are notable 

 exceptions. 



The mineral resources of Borneo are very consider- 

 able; coal, gold, iron, diamonds, tin, and antimony are 

 among the most valuable. Anthracite coal is not found 

 in the country, that which is in evidence being from the 

 tertiary period. Gold is everywhere, but thus far is not 

 found in sufficient quantity to pay. Formerly the na- 

 tives of the up|)cr Kotawaringin district had to pay the 

 Sultan gold as a tax. A mining engineer told me that in 

 Martapura, the principal diamond-field, one may find 

 gold, platinum, and diamonds while washing one pan. 



The total i)opulation of the island is probably 3,000,- 



