240 THROUGH CENTRAL BORNEO 



and a small river called Tjehan, which, like several other 

 affluents from the south, originates in the dividing range. 

 The Tjehan contains two or three kihams but is easy to 

 ascend, and at its head-waters the range presents no 

 difficulties in crossing. This is not the case at the sources 

 of the Blu, where the watershed is high and difficult to 

 pass. Small parties of Malays occasionally cross over to 

 the Mahakam at these points as well as at Pahangei. In 

 the country surrounding the kampong are several lime- 

 stone hills, the largest of which, Lung Karang, rises in the 

 immediate vicinity. 



Doctor Nieuwenhuis on his journey ascended some 

 distance up the Tjehan tributary, and in the neighbour- 

 hood of Lung Karang his native collector found an orchid 

 which was named phalcsnopsis gigantea, and is known only 

 from the single specimen in the botanical garden at Buit- 

 enzorg, Java. On a visit there my attention was drawn to 

 the unusual size of its leaves and its white flowers. I then 

 had an interview with the Javanese who found it, and 

 decided that when I came to the locality I would try 

 to secure some specimens of this unique plant. Having 

 now arrived in the region, I decided to devote a few days 

 to looking for the orchid and at the same time investigate 

 a great Penihing burial cave which was found by my 

 predecessor. 



Accompanied by two of our soldiers and with five 

 Dayak paddlers, I ascended the Tjehan as far as the first 

 kiham, in the neighbourhood of which I presumed that 

 the burial cave would be and where, therefore, according 

 to the description given to me, the orchid should be found. 



