364 Report on the Island of Chedooba. [No. 113* 



known to the natives; but no use is made of its beautiful gum, which co- 

 vered the stems in considerable quantities. It lives in the higher jungles. 



It is not doubtless the only tree in these wilds yielding a valuable 

 gum, but want of acquaintance with botanical science prevented re- 

 searches of that kind, which might have led to useful discovery. The 

 safety and facility, and even enjoyment with which such researches may 

 be carried on in the fine season, in the woods of Chedooba, seem however 

 to point them out as a spot very eligible for the careful examination of 

 an able botanist, unless indeed they be considered too limited in extent 

 to exhibit a sample of the general character of the jungles of this coast. 



A very brilliant crimson gum was found to flow in great quantity from 

 a large creeper (Tallee-medzou-nowy) which is very common. If dried 

 speedily in the sun, becoming very brittle, but retaining its color, it is 

 of very astringent quality, and is used in some diseases as a medicine by 

 the native quacks. 



I may not fail to mention another creeper, whose properties are as 

 valuable as interesting, and not the less so from its being found every 

 where, both high and low. It is truly a traveller's friend, and the 

 wandering Mug well appreciates is value. With his dah he cuts off a junk 

 and quenches his thirst with its contents, a pure, tasteless, cool water, of 

 which it contains as much as its large numerous pores will hold, and 

 which are immediately emptied by holding the piece perpendicular. A 

 piece about 2 feet in length, and as thick as a small wrist, gave rather 

 more than half a pint of water. In the rainy season it would have 

 given double that quantity. 



In travelling through the jungles, the liquid of this water creeper 

 (Jabroon nony) is the constant beverage of the natives, when not other- 

 wise supplied with that necessary, and its universal presence makes him 

 very independent in his choice of road. 



The rattan is every where found in the jungles, and performs all the 

 ordinary duties of rope ; it grows to a great size ; two were taken from the 

 West Hill measuring 114 feet in length, and 1£ inch diameter. 



Although Chedooba may not be looked to for supplying valuable timber 

 to other parts, yet for its own consumption, and most, if not all domestic 

 puposes, it possesses amply sufficient to meet any demand. For such 

 purposes plank may easily be brought down from the hill, whence the 

 whole tree must be immoveable. The lower jungles contain woods, per- 

 fectly adapted to such uses, and in those of the Eastern Plains was found 

 the Thew-gaan growing plentifully, some of the trees between 2 and 3 

 feet in diameter, and which itself would supply material for almost all 



