chap, vi] EXCURSION TO MOUNT MATTANG 



dysentery being the two principal maladies to be guarded against 

 in this country. 



We got on pretty fast as far as Siul, where the Tuan-ku was to 

 join us. He was not ready when we passed his house, but he caught 

 us up, accompanied by another native, at the little stream which had 

 barred my way when I first attempted to reach Mattang. Over this 

 we found a tree-trunk, or " batang," had been thrown, by which 

 we crossed. As we were proceeding, a small dog, which had accom- 

 panied the Tuan-ku, started two animals which looked much like 

 otters. I fired at one, but my gun had got damp with the rain which 

 had been falling fast for the last hour, and did not go off. The Tuan- 

 ku having fired at the other and wounded it, the dog gave chase, 

 and we ultimately secured it. 



The forest was at this point very marshy, the ground covered 

 with surface-roots, which formed alternate lumps and awkward 

 water-holes, and it was no easy matter to get along. I sank 

 several times up to the knees in soft black slush, but where undis- 

 turbed, the water was limpid and drinkable, though of the colour 

 of strong tea. The trees here were not of large size, but grew 

 thickly together ; the number of species was large, and had I been 

 able to stay and collect I should no doubt have got some interesting 

 novelties. But for the present I had to content myself with the 

 fact that I had secured a good specimen of Cynogale bennetti, a rare 

 and curious animal with the habits and appearance of an otter, but 

 belonging to the family of Viverridae. 



We continued along the pathway made by the Dyaks, which 

 improved as soon as we got out of the low marshy tract. On nearing 

 the mountain the ground got quite dry, and the forest less choked 

 up with underwood, bushes, etc., so that we were able to travel 

 faster. Towards three o'clock in the afternoon we reached a small 

 gambir plantation recently made by some Chinese. 1 In the midst 

 of the clearing was a hut built by them, and here we halted for the 

 night. 



As the rice was being cooked I skinned the Cynogale, making a 

 present of the carcase to our hosts. I had just finished the operation, 

 and was still holding the skin, when one of the Chinamen who was 

 looking on suddenly snatched it out of my hands, and, before I 

 could prevent him, pulled out some of the long moustache-like hairs 

 from the creature's muzzle. He had evidently been watching his 

 opportunity, but what on earth he wanted with the hairs I was 

 unable to learn. I got them back soon enough, however, and gave 

 him, as may be imagined, a good talking to. 



1 The Uncaria gambir is a shrub from which a dark astringent substance, 

 a kind of catechu, or terra japonica, is extracted ; it is now much used in 

 commerce both by dyers and tanners. 



67 



