130 



AUSTEALASIA. 



Kajang, the Sebuwang, or tlie Kina-Batangan, are comparable in the extent of 

 their catchment basins to the Mahakkam and other large southern rivers. Never- 

 theless all have a copious discharge, and all are navigable, although their estuaries 

 are much obstructed by the coralline formations which abound on the north-east 

 coast.* 



Few regions of the globe can compare with Borneo in the number of their 

 navigable highways ; hence it is not surprising that hundreds of Malay and 

 Chinese traders have, as in Sumatra, utilised these streams for their floating 

 habitations, the materials for which are yielded in abundance by the surrounding 

 forests. Erecting their little houses, and at times a whole village, on their firmly 

 constructed rafts, they descend with the current, casting anchor wherever there 

 are prospects of doing a little trade in honey, gums, skins or other local produce. 

 After weeks or months of this wandering life they reach some larger emporium on 

 the lower course, where they sell their wares, houses and all. If the venture has 

 proved profitable, they again ascend the river in boats, build another floating 

 domicile and renew their barter trade with the natives. 



Climate of Borneo. 



Although intersected by the equinoxial line Borneo has a far less torrid 

 climate than that of Aden and the coastlands on the Bed Sea. Like the other 

 Indonesian regions it enjoys the refreshing marine breezes, which are attracted 

 from all quarters towards the centres of rarefaction. On the seaboard the glass 

 seldom indicates 95° F. in the shade and usually does not exceed 90°, while the 

 thermometer normally oscillates between 72° in the morning and 89 '^ about two 

 o'clock in the afternoon. Hence the dangerous character of the Bornean climate 

 is due not to its heat, but to the heavy night dews and to the malaria caused b}" 

 the periodic inundations and decomposition of organic matters, especially in the 

 interior, less exposed to the invigorating sea breezes. Here also there is little 

 change of season, the winds being little regulated and rain- bearing clouds 

 arriving from all quarters throughout the year. 



But on the seaboard the south-east trades prevailing from April to October, 

 are regularly followed by the west and stormy north-west, north and north-east 

 monsoons. But even here moisture is precipitated at all times, and at Sarawak 

 the mean annual rainfall is estimated at from 150 to 200 inches. Lono^ drouo:hts 



* Chief Rivers of Borneo : — 



Brunei or Limbang 

 Eejang . 

 Lupar . 

 Kapuas . 

 Katingan 

 Kahajan 

 Barito . 

 Mahakkam 

 Kina-liatangan 



Length of Navigable 

 Course with Affluents. 

 Miles. 



60 

 190 

 30 

 360 

 120 

 150 

 600 

 360 

 270 



