1834.] of Naning, in the Malayan Peninsula. 603 



Throughout Naning it is fordable in dry weather, but not in the 

 rains ; it is crossed at short distances by the usual Malay rude foot 

 bridges. 



Its bed is generally sand and gravel ; the banks grassy and sandy ; in 

 some parts steep. Besides these streams, there are many small rivulets 

 not worthy of notice. 



The native roads are merely foot-paths, cut and cleared constantly by 

 the Malays as they pass along with their Parangs, which a Malay is 

 seldom or never without. 



There are vestiges of a road here cut by Colonel Farquhar, from 

 Malacca to Sabang in Naning, which it enters near Malacca Sinda ; 

 but from neglect it is little better than the native foot-paths. 



The Malay roads run over the bunds of the paddy-fields, which fre- 

 quently break down, leaving a deep puddle, over which they throw a 

 bamboo or two as a bridge; their streams and rivulets boast of nothing 

 better than a couple of trees felled carelessly across their course, with 

 sometimes a slight bamboo as a hand-rail. 



These paths if little travelled on by the Malays are liable to seri- 

 ous obstruction, particularly in a military point of view, from the 

 numerous forest trees blown down by the wind, or falling through the 

 decay of age. 



I have seen in a remote part of this country, the path as effectually 

 barricaded by this accidental obstruction, as if a body of Malays had 

 been at work to cut off our communications. 



A military road of communication between Taboo (the wretched 

 capital of Abdul Syed, situated nearly on the frontier of Naning), 

 was opened during the operations in 1832, following in parts the old 

 Malay foot-path. It enters Naning at Sungiepattye, passes through 

 Alor Gajah (now Fort Sismore, our chief military post), over the 

 shoulder of the hill of Bukit sa Booseh to Taboo, where it terminates 

 about three and a half miles from " Kubur Feringie," (the ancient 

 tomb of a Portuguese in the jungle,) on the Rumbowe frontier, to which 

 territory a path through a dense forest leads. 



The Taboo road was constructed on excellent principles, for the 

 service for which it was intended ; a thick and lofty forest has been 

 cleared to the extent of from 70 to 100 paces on either side, preclud- 

 ing the possibility of trees falling or being felled across. The low un- 

 derwood in the intermediate space was burnt so as to afford the lurk- 

 ing Malay no shelter. Brushwood and branches of trees, secured on 

 either side, by strong piles, and layers of gravel thrown over the 

 whole, enable the guns and provision carts to pass with ease the 

 numerous Sawahs and marshes. 

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