BRITISH NORTH BORNEO.* 



Introduction, 



The object of this paper is to give a short and general 

 sketch of the territory under the Government of British North 

 Borneo Company, from personal observations made during a 

 residence of nearly three years in the country, and from the 

 official reports of Messrs. Pryer, Yon Donop, Frank Hatton 

 and Witti. 



Area. 



Embracing an area of some 20,000 square miles, and a 

 coast line of about 500 miles, the territory lies between the 

 lL6th and 119th degrees of East longitude, and the 4th and 

 7th parallels of North latitude. 



Geograp hie a I Fea i tires. 



The general geographical features of the country are as 

 follows : — A range of mountains — the general direction of which 

 is North-East and South-West — forms a backbone through 

 the heart of the country, varying in height from 4,000, 7,000 

 and 8,000 feet in the mountains of Melaio, Mentapok and 

 Trodan, respectively, until the altitude of 13,698 feet is attained 

 by the rugged peaks of Kina Balu, which tower above the 

 surrounding country, repelling with precipitous ascent the 

 adventurer who would attain their summits. From this range 

 and descending to the coast on either side, are lesser ranges of 



* See a paper, with this title, by Sir WALTER Medhurst, read at a meet- 

 s' of the Hoyal Colonial Institute this year.— Ed. 



