SINGAPORE. 
381 
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, w hen 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 r -sized tree, or bush, of no beauty. Its bark is 
used for tanning, and it is said to be the most powerful astringent 
know n 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 w r as 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 
the streets, as at Manilla; but quantities of the nuts are seen for sale 
in the market. From the leaves also a powerful astringent is obtained 
by boiling. 
The gamboge tree is also cultivated here, but more extensively on 
the shores of the straits than at Singapore, and is a very considerable 
article of trade. 
The ride outside of the town to the hills is pleasant, passing through 
plantations loaded with fruit, and the air at an early hour of the morn¬ 
ing is filled with a spicy fragrance. The vivid green of the woods 
and grass is also remarkable, and continues throughout the whole 
year, for scarcely a day passes but a refreshing shower falls. The 
roads are thus kept free from dust, and at all times in good order. 
The usual mode of conveyance is in a palanquin, which is capable of 
containing two persons. The cooley, or Hindoo who attends his 
horse, usually runs by the side of the palanquin, and seldom tires. 
The charge for one of these conveyances is a dollar, whether for a 
w'hole or a part of a day, and a douceur is paid to the cooley accord¬ 
ing to the time he has been employed. The palanquin is a very con¬ 
venient vehicle, and its use is absolutely necessary during the heat of 
the day, to shield the stranger from the burning rays of the sun. These 
coolevs will run all day through it without any inconvenience. They 
are principally from the neighbourhood of Madras, and are generally 
about the middle size, thin, and muscular. 
