74 CRUISE IN THE SOUTHERN CHINA SEA. 



norrow hog-backed island about 5 miles long N. and S3, with a 

 picturesque peak rising 1740 feet near its northern end. We 

 spent a couple of days here and on the neighbouring island of 

 Midai finding the forest fairly open except for patches of rattans 

 and a prickly holly-like shrub. Only one village of three or 

 four houses was seen. The coconuts seemed much troubled with 

 squirrels and the people made use of an ingenious trap set on a 

 long bamboo leading from the jungle to the palm trunks. 



Jimaja. 



On the 16th we made sail at daybreak and rounded the 

 southern end of Telaga. The wind was ahead but we did most 

 of the seventeen miles, which is the distance between that island 

 and Jimaja, in one board and then working short tacks got close 

 to the entrance of Kwala Maras Bay on the east coast by night- 

 fall. After that the wind fell light and the tide carried us 

 away to the northward so we let go the anchor in 10 fathoms 

 about three-quarters of a mile from shore and next morning after 

 a couple of hours beating got into the bay. A line of rocks ex- 

 tends above water from the north shore and beyond them on the 

 other side is a coral reef : we found a good berth between the 

 two, well protected from all but easterly winds. 



Jimaja is the largest of the Anambas with an area of 

 perhaps 30,000 acres. It is of an irregular Y-shape about 14 

 miles N. and S. and 9 miles wide. The contour is very uneven 

 and there are many peaks between 700 feet and 1530 feet, the 

 greatest elevation attained in Gunong Tujoh. The irregularity 

 of the coast line has resulted in many bays, the largest being in 

 the north and in the south-east, but Telok Kwala in the centre 

 of the east coast, although smaller than these is the most important 

 as having the greatest population and being the port of call of the 

 steamer. Its shores rise steeply to heights of 1000 feet in places 

 free from forest, but beyond the head where a river embouches is 

 some flat swampy land overgrown with mangroves. 



The kampong lies on the north shore and consists of thirty 

 to forty houses,;a small mosque, the Dato's house and the buildings 

 of the opium-farmer — shop, godowns, etc., surrounded by a 

 stockade 8-10 feet high closely built of small saplings from 

 whence ran a small jetty. 



Jour. Straits Branch 



