104 VOYAGE FKOM INDIA TO SIAM AND MALACCA 



cut and have stipula which are wiuged, bent, and pressed tog-ether 

 hke the Hugonia Mijstox, but the young fruits were perfectly 

 oval, although crowned like that species, but they all were also 

 pear-shaped. 



To-day all the upper classes prepared for a feast given by 

 the Governor in honour of the now ruling Dutch Governor 

 General of the Indies. His appointment had just been brought 

 by a ship coming from Holland and this arrival was celebrated 

 with many gun shots from the ramparts as well as from the ships 

 of all the different nations which lay in the harbour. All the 

 captains of English ships showed their respect for the Dutch 

 nation, and fired their guns voluntarily ; the number of shots 

 varied according to the size and importance of the ship. 



30. — The festival which had begun last night continued till 

 early morning. I had the honour to be among' the guests, and 

 can only admire the wonderful order which was kept up through- 

 out. This is the more to be admired as there are often excesses 

 commited by hasty natures on such occasians, when there is a 

 superfluity of good things. But the presence of the Governor 

 sufficed to keep everything and every one in order. 



Now, after the full-moon, strong rains have begun to fall, 

 and I fear that my newly-gathered specimens of Malacca flowers 

 will be spoilt. I shall not be able to prevent it if the present 

 weather continues. 



Oct. 1. — I sent some people to fetch me some Fucus kali" 

 from the led island in the harbour. Late in the evening they 

 brought me very little of it, and asked to be paid with three 

 Spanish Matten. The people here, who have so seldom 

 opportunity of any extra earnings, always charge dispropor- 

 tionately high prices for any service which is different from their 

 daily occupation, and this is the reason why one always hesitates 

 to engage other people for such occasions and prefers to do 

 everything oneself. 



This Fucus is greedily eaten by the Malays in its natural 

 ( ondition. The Chinese put the plant on their tiled roofs 

 and let it be bleached by the sun, and the more rain falls during 

 ihe night the more thoroughly the plant is bleached. When 

 it has turned quite white they let it dry and keep it in this state. 

 They also make a refreshing jelly of it in the following manner: 

 a. Agar-agaro 



