66 BRITISH BORNEO. 
hill situated at the head of the Sapa Gaia, one of the streams 
running into Sandakan harbour. 
These grand caves, which are one of the most interesting 
sights in the country, are, in fine weather, easily accessible from 
the town of Sandakan, by a water journey across the harbour 
and up the Sapa Gaia, of about twelve miles, and by a road 
from the point of debarkation to the entrance of the lower 
caves, about eight miles in length. 
The height of the hill is estimated at 1,000 feet, and it con- 
tains two distinct series of caves. The first series is on the 
‘ground floor” and is known as S¢mud Hitam, or “black en- 
trance.” The magnificent porch, 250 feet high and roo broad, 
which gives admittance to this series, is on a level with the 
river bank, and, on entering, you find yourself in a spacious 
and lofty chamber well lighted from above by a large open 
space, through which can be seen’ the entrance to the upper 
set of caves, some 400 to 500 feet up the hill side. In this 
chamber is a large deposit of guano, formed principally by the 
myriads of bats inhabiting the caves in joint occupancy with 
the edible-nest-forming swifts. Passing through this first 
chamber and turning a little to the right you come to a porch 
leading into an extensive cave, which extends under the upper 
series. This cave is filled half way up toits roof, with an 
enormous deposit of guano, which has been estimated to be 
40 to 50 feetin depth. How farthe cave extends has not been 
ascertained, as its exploration, until some of the deposit is 
removed, would not be an easy task, for the explorer would 
be compelled to walk along on the top of the guano, which in 
some places is so soft that you sink in it almost up to your 
waist. My friend Mr. C. A. BAMPFYLDE, in whose company I 
first visited Gomanton, and who, as “ Commissioner of Birds- 
nest Caves,” drew up a very interesting report on them, inform- 
ed me that, though he had found it impossible to explore right 
to the end, he had been a long way in and was confident that 
the cave was of very large size. To reach the upper series 
of caves, you leave Simud Hitam and clamber up the hill 
side—a steep but not difficult climb, as the jagged limestone 
affords sure footing. The entrance to this series, known as 
Stmud Putth, or “ white entrance,” is estimated to be at an 
