Appendix 



THE BORNEAN FOREST 



ON several occasions in the foregoing pages I have mentioned some 

 of the more notable features of the magnificent forest which covers 

 nearly the entire surface of Borneo, yet I think that a general sketch 

 of the vegetation in Sarawak from a biological and physical point of 

 view may not prove uninteresting to the reader, premising that it is 

 not within the scope of this book to attempt, even on the most general 

 lines, an account of the Flora of Borneo, a vast subject, which in the 

 present state of our knowledge cannot possibly be treated as it deserves. 



If it be true, as it seems to me, that each climate has stamped its 

 special mark on the organic productions which live under its influence, 

 what is it that characterises the Bornean vegetation as a whole ? 



Before answering this question, it is necessary that I should give some 

 account of the climate of Sarawak, which is indeed practically that of 

 the larger portion of the lowlands of Borneo. 



The Climate of Sarawak. — It has been already stated that the kingdom 

 of Sarawak is within the region of the monsoons ; that from April to 

 November these winds blow from a prevalent N.E. direction, and during 

 the remaining months of the year from the S.W. The seasons are, 

 however, somewhat irregular, for although the monsoons are constant, 

 and as a general rule the N.E. brings rain and the S.W. fine weather, 

 it cannot be said that the year has only one dry and one wet season, for 

 rain is pretty frequent during each month of the year. 



The average temperature in Sarawak, considering its latitude, is a 

 relatively low one, and at the same time peculiarly uniform, which is 

 to be attributed not only to the insular condition of Borneo, but also 

 to the fact that it is covered with dense vegetation, which prevents the 

 ground from getting heated and favours an abundant condensation. 

 Another factor in maintaining a low temperature is the extensive evapo- 

 ration. Nor is the shortness of the days without its effect, for the sun 

 does not remain on the average more than twelve hours above the 

 horizon throughout the year. 



The highest temperature observed during my stay at Kuching was 

 on August 31st, 1866, on which day the thermometer in the verandah 

 of my house rose to 91 Fahr. The lowest temperature, at sea-level, 

 was noted by me at Bintulu on August 16th, 1867, when the thermometer 

 stood at 67 Fahr. During my sojourn in Sarawak I did not keep a 

 regular meteorological record, for I never made long stays in the same 

 place, but I have been able to avail myself of the meteorological observa- 



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