THE NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MAGAZINE 



153 



WHERE THE MILANAU RIVER COMES RUSHING DOWN FROM ITS HEADWATERS 

 AMONG THE PRECIPITOUS LIMESTONE CUFFS OF MT. MULU 



(see text, page 151) 



"The Milanau River in its upper reaches is the most beautiful stream I have ever seen. 

 At one point the limestone cliff rises vertical from the water's edge, decorated with fantastic 

 stalagmites and every little crevice filled with delicate ferns." 



derbrush and the abundance of the great 

 lianas and other plants that grow too 

 slowly to reach perfection on land that is 

 frequently cleared. 



Two of my boys climbed one of the 

 large vines shown in the picture on page 

 158, where is to be seen, also, on the right 

 the slender, graceful leaves of the rattan 

 vine. The picture does not show the 

 sharp spines by means of which this vine 

 pulls itself up through the trees ; but 

 when one walks too close to the young 

 shoots of the rattan, he will frequently 

 find himself brought to a very sudden 

 standstill, caught in their tenacious em- 

 brace. 



THE WOOD-LEECH PEST 



Swarms of wood leeches infest the 

 country about Mulu. St. John records 



that his legs became so covered with sores 

 from their bites that he was obliged to 

 stop traveling, and in my walk of three 

 hours I picked up 17 leeches on my legs. 



If one stops in the path and examines 

 closely the twigs and shoots near the 

 ground, he will see these diabolical little 

 creatures in all directions, waving vio- 

 lently to and fro on the tips of leaves, 

 waiting to attach themselves to whatever 

 object comes within their reach. 



Nothing but puttees wrapped uncom- 

 fortably tight will prevent them from 

 getting to the skin, for they will invaria- 

 bly find an entrance through canvas gait- 

 ers and khaki trousers. The best plan is 

 to roll the trousers up to the knee and 

 the stockings down to the shoe ; then the 

 leeches will stop where they find bare 

 skin and can be removed as soon as dis- 



