— 116 — 



EASTERN PART OF THE ARCHIPELAGO. 



The eastern part of the archipelago seems to have been little visited by the 

 Chinese and their accounts of it are even more scanty than the rest and comparatively 

 recent. They only mention Tirnor and the Moluccos. 



Timor. 



ïïsing-ch'a Shêng-lan (1436). 



Kih-ri Ti-mim (*) is situated at the east of Tiong-ka-lo (Madura, v. 

 pag. 57); the mountains are covered with sandal-trees and the country pro- 

 duces nothing else. 



There are twelve ports or mercantile establishments , each under a 

 cliief. 



The fields are rich and abundant; the weather is warm during day- 

 time and cool at night. 



Men and wornen cut their hair and wear a short dress ; whilst sleeping 

 at night they do not cover themselves. 



When merchant-vessels arrive there, the women come on board to 

 trade and many men get infected with disease ; from those who get ill, eight 

 or nine out of ten die , which is caused by the unhealthiness of the country 

 and their secret diseases. 



Articles of import are gold, silver, iron- and earthenware, etc. 



Tung Hsi Yang K'au (1618). Book IV. 



Timor is the vulgar name for Kih-ri Timor ( 2 ) ; this country is situa- 

 ted at the east of Tiong-ka-lo (Madura) and is veiy fertile. The mountains 

 are so covered with sandal-trees , that they cut it for firewood and its strong 

 smell often makes people ill. The country is very warni ; about noon it is 

 necessary to sit with the face towards the water, in order to escape illness. 

 Men and women cut their hair and wear short dresses; when they sleep at 

 night they do not cover themselves. 



O o JS. ^Mïï F^H i ^ ie ^ as * * wo Cüarac ters are used for Timor up to the present day, 

 but wc do not know what is meant by Üie prelix Kri or Kiri. 



