SINGAPORE. 403 



Brackenridge obtained many live plants, which we succeeded in 

 bringing safely to the United States. 



The soil of the island is a stiff yellow loam, in which the nutmeg, 

 coffee, black pepper, chocolate, and gamboge (Garcinia), grow to a 

 great extent. The three first appear to be particularly well adapted 

 to the climate and soil. As I have before mentioned, the cultivation 

 of sugar is attended with success. Captain Scott is planting the 

 durian, which, independently of its fruit, yields a timber highly 

 valued for ship-building. This gentleman has left numerous forest 

 trees standing on his plantation, many of which are of large dimen- 

 sions, being full one hundred feet in height. These consisted chiefly 

 of species of Quercus, Myrtacese, Melastomacea?, and Rubiaceee. The 

 undergrowth is almost impenetrable, on account of the vast number 

 of creeping plants which intertwine and clasp around the trees. Two 

 species of Nepenthe (pitcher-plants) were found in the swamp, which 

 were preserved and brought to the United States. The Botanical 

 Report will embrace many more varieties, and to this I must refer the 

 reader for further information. 



Fruit seemed to be very abundant, and it is said that there are 

 one hundred and twenty kinds that can be served as a dessert : among 

 these are pine-apples, mangosteens, melons, bananas, oranges, &c. 

 The pine-apples are remarkably fine, and not in the least acid ; in 

 proof of which, they do not turn the knife black in cutting them, 

 and to eat them is considered wholesome at all hours. The season 

 for this fruit was just coming in at the time of our arrival, and large 

 boat-loads were seen lying at the quay. They are usually planted 

 along the roadside, and though, when small, rather stiff-looking, yet 

 when full-grown and in bearing, they are a pretty object. Of all 

 the plants we saw, the nutmeg requires and receives the greatest 

 care. The trees are planted in orchards, and while young have a 

 sort of arbour erected over them, to protect them from the vertical 

 rays of the sun. 



The gambeer (Nauclea) also claims much of the attention of the 

 cultivator : it is a low-sized tree or bush, of no beauty. Its bark is 

 used for tanning, and it is said to be the most powerful astringent 

 known for this purpose. It is to be seen in the shops in the form of a 

 powder, of a reddish brown colour. We did not learn how this was 

 prepared, or how it was used : it appears, however, to be in great 

 demand. It is occasionally used by the Chinese, with their betel-nut, 

 of which there is a great consumption here, although it is not sold in 



