12 



. The internal structure of the rock not only determines its general external figure, but 

 even the vegetation which it supports. Tlius the S. and N. sides, being nearly perpendicu- 

 lar, do not retain moisture, or afford beds for the larger rock plants. They have a 

 partial covering of lichens. The E. face is bare. The West face, on the -contrary, from it 

 slope, roughness and numerous hollows, retains moisture, and is clothed with a thick mass 

 of dark green ferns, mosses and other plants. The rock is a variable mixture of felspar 

 and hornblende confusedly aggregated, and from the preponderance of the latter decomposes 

 into a deep red soil. 



A very extensive tract of mangrove succeeds, occupying the wedge shaped space between 

 the two hill systems of the Island, or rather, as seems probable, between the two Islands. 

 At a point near the eastern end of the Island a rock is exposed which is splitting into small 

 cuboidal fragments. It possesses a twofold mineralogical character, being either a remarkably 

 large grained and beautiful compound of opaque white felspar tinged green, and blackish 

 green hornblende; or a very fine grained black greenstone approaching to basalt, in which 

 the felspar is thickly dispersed in minute granules in a granular base of hornblende. It is oc- 

 casionally traversed by minute veins of felspar. The more felspathic rock is in like manner 

 traversed by hornblende veins. The junction of the two characters in a specimen is sudden, 

 but from the hornblende nests in the larger rock frequently resembling the fine grained rock, 

 and the felspar near the plane of junction assuming a greener tinge, the transition does 

 not appear abrupt. 



The western point of Pulo Ubin is eminently beautiful. A group of large blackish wave 

 worn rocks advance in front into the sea , and, from the acuteness of the Point, (hence by 

 the Malays callcd Tanjong Tajam) stand out from the land in f uil relief, as if they had 

 been planted there to stem the force of the western currents, and defend the Island from 

 their assaults. Behind these rise great masses, with their perpendicular faces sinking into the 

 water , and their serrated summits overshadowed by the branches of lofty trees. The peaks 

 of other and probably still larger rocks are partially seen through the branches and in the 

 forest twilight behind. Kounding the projecting group of blocks the coast presents a succes- 

 sion of noble and varied rocks , here advancing into the sea , there abiding by the land , 

 and sometimes stretching along it continuously like a grey rampart ; while over all a glo- 

 rious profusion of many formed, many coloured foliage is spread out in which gay flowers 

 are not wanting ; and the massy forest ascends high and dark behind, or, where the rocky 

 wall is broken and irregular , advances some of its mighty children into the breaches. 

 The trees here , as indeed almost every where around the shores of Pulo Ubin , are stri- 

 kingly varied , beautiful and imposing. 



I have only partially examined the northern coast near the eastern and western points. 

 Not far from the latter there is a very large grooved rock half concealed by mangroves. 

 The grooves are curved in their descent and those at one place in an opposite direction to the 

 others. The grooves face N. by NW. After passing a mangrove tract to the eastward the 

 spur of a hill projects and exposes a broad rocky face. From this plates from S to h inches 

 thick are falling off. These are composed of laminae from V^th to y 3 th of an inch in thick- 

 ness. The direction of the laminar planes is S. by SE. and they slightly dip to W. by 



