VISIT TO PUKET, ETC. 



ones are tapped with burning holes and these trees would only 

 last about 5 years. They are not allowed to be filled when the 

 jungle is cleared for padi planting. The oil is sent to Penang 

 in tins. There are said to be many damar trees on the Na-kon 

 road and on the islands. Sim Bee told me that when he went 

 to Trang the only talk was of dacoits and people were afraid to 

 settle. Now they are not afraid and land is being taken up fast. 

 The road was being swept like a drive and where there was a 

 collection of houses the people turned out with their headmen 

 and saluted by the roadside. The road was more or less level 

 till we got to the foot of the hills (11 miles). At Chong 

 is a rest-house and a clear stream from the hills. The road 

 to Patalong here rises through a pass. We walked through 

 jungle along a path to what is called a Waterfall, large 

 slabs of rock and pools but not much fall. In the rains of course 

 it is a cascade. We crossed the stream on stepping stones and 

 looked for orchids. We found a few and then had some food 

 by the stream. Then we drove back to the Rest-house and 

 bathed at a well in the grounds. I noticed Congea climbing 

 among the brush wood. We left Chong about 10.0 and goc 

 the Rest-house at 11.30. There is another Rest-house 1 hour 

 up the pass above Chong in the jungle where the King of Siam 

 s r ayed two nights but he is said to have found it too cold. 

 This would be a good place for collecting plants, etc. There are 

 trees planted on either side the whole length of the road — Man- 

 goes, ansana and a Siamese tree with a narrow leaf and yellow 

 flower from which they make hair oil. 



As we passed through Tap Tiang to go to the landing 

 place at Tha Chin we saw a dead black planther by the Market. 

 Black panthers are said to be very common. There is a reward 

 for tigers, 30 Ticals, but none for panthers which only take 

 fowls, pigs, etc. There are too many for a reward. There 

 were 12 junks at Tha Chin built locally and registered at Penang. 

 We had a very hot and tedious ro vv in a house-boat — the river 

 winding backwards and forwards— till at 3.15 we got to the 

 wharf at Kuantani where the S. S. Artsadong comes for cargo. 

 Here a Malay Penghulu registered as a British subject came on 

 board. We got to Kantan at 5.0. I landed and drove with the 

 Governor to see the Public Offices — still unfinished. The bricks 



R. A. Soc, No. 42, 1904. 1 



