IN BORNEAN FORESTS [chap, iv 



thus we find that the sentiment is one which diminishes in proportion 

 as we advance from the temperate to the tropical zone. 



On the morning of September 4th, we descended the Lingga, and 

 re-entering the Batang-Lupar made our way up-stream to Simang- 

 gan. The country which we traversed was by no means interesting, 

 for the river runs through a plain where the primeval forest has been 

 destroyed nearly entirely, and its place taken here and there by 

 rice fields. 



At one period some of the boMest piratical tribes in Borneo had 

 their stronghold in this river, and with those of the Seribas were 

 long the terror of the coast. They were reduced to order by Rajah 

 Brooke and Admiral Keppel, who destroyed Pamotus, their principal 

 stronghold. 



Simanggan is one of the most populous centres of the Sea-Dyaks. 

 A fort, built on a slight eminence on he tleft bank, commands the 

 river, which is at this place about one hundred yards wide. The fort 

 is built entirely of timber, square in shape, with a small tower at each 

 corner. It mounted some guns, and the Rajah has garrisoned it with 

 a strong detachment of native soldiers. 



We spent the night at this place, and early next morning pro- 

 ceeded along a good pathway inland to Undup, a large and populous 

 Dyak village and also a mission station. The path crossed an 

 untouched primeval forest, which had probably been allowed to 

 stand because it covered low, marshy, ground, which could hardly 

 be brought under cultivation. Such places in our climate would be 

 mere marshes, but here they are covered with tall forest trees. True 

 aquatic and marsh plants are uncommon in Borneo, but a large 

 number of trees in that island, palms, aroids, etc., may be almost 

 considered as such, for their roots are always wet. On this occasion, 

 I was able to do but little for my botanical collections, but I was 

 glad of the opportunity of getting an idea of this portion of the 

 country, as I intended later to return for a long stay. I was fortunate 

 enough, however, to meet with some specimens of Nepenthes bical- 

 carata, which is certainly one of the most curious of all the Bornean 

 pitcher-plants. Our excursion only lasted a few days, and on 

 September 13th we were back in Kuching. 



This little trip with Bishop MacDougall gives me an opportunity 

 of saying a word or two on the Sea-Dyaks. The Land-Dyaks 1 

 prefer to leave for the present, until I come to speak of my doings 

 in the country in which they live. 



The villages of the Sea-Dyaks are situated in the territory between 

 the Sadong and Rejang rivers. The more warlike and enterprising 

 tribes at sea have been those of the Seribas and of the Sakarrang, 

 one of the branches of the Batang-Lupar river. Some tribes of the 

 Rejang, the Kanowit, and especially the Ketibas, were at the period 

 of which I write not yet quite subject to the government of the 



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