278 THROUGH CENTRAL BORNEO 



a large accumulation of vines and branches heaped 

 round the base of a tall trunk which at first sight looked 

 dead. The tree to all appearances had died, all the 

 branches had fallen, and with them the vines, orchids, 

 ferns, etc., that had lived on it, but after being rid of all 

 this burden it came to life again, for at the top appeared 

 small branches with large leaves. A singular impression 

 was created by the big heap of vegetable matter, not un- 

 like a burial-mound, from the midst of which emerged the 

 tall, straight trunk with the fresh leaves at the top, telling 

 the tale of a drama enacted in the plant world through 

 which the tree had passed triumphantly. 



My camping-place was a small clearing on the high 

 river-bank, where I remained two days while the goods 

 were being transported. There had been little rain for 

 a few days; indeed, it is possible the dry season had be- 

 gun, and the weather was intensely hot, especially in the 

 middle of the day. I catalogued a number of photo- 

 graphic plates, but the heat in my tent, notwithstanding 

 the fly, made perspiration flow so freely that it was 

 difficult to avoid damage. Moreover, I was greatly an- 

 noyed by the small yellow bees, which were very numer- 

 ous. They clung to my face and hair in a maddening 

 manner, refusing to be driven away. If caught with the 

 fingers, they sting painfully. 



The river fell more than one metre during the first 

 night, and the Merasi raja's party passed in their prahus 

 at seven o'clock next morning. At twelve our seven 

 prahus showed up, bringing some large packages that 

 could easiest be spared in case anything happened. The 



