324 BRITISH NORTH BORNEO. 



kills covered for the most part with virgin forest, and inter- 

 spersed with fertile plains, watered by the numerous rivers 

 which wend their circuitous courses to the sea beyond. The 

 coast, as a rule, is low and flat and is, to a large extent, lined with 

 the handsome casuarina tree, broken by stretches of mangrove, 

 denoting swampy ground or the mouths of rivers, and diversified 

 by low sandstone cliffs, yellow from exposure to the weather, or 

 patches of forest reaching to the water's edge. 



At a short distance from the shore on the West coast, a 

 very large area of country is denuded of trees, and lalang, a 

 coarse grass (Andropogon caricosum) , has spread over it, except 

 where here and there the plantations of the natives vary its 

 monotony. 



Harbours. 



Many indentations occur on the coast, and the country is 

 particularly rich in harbours, the principal being Gaya, Ambong 

 and Usikan on the West coast, Kudat on the North, and 

 Sandakan on the East. The importance of these harbours it 

 needs but a glance at the map to realize, containing as they do, 

 amongst other advantages, natural facilities for defence. 



8 an dak an. 



Sandakan harbour it will be seen, lies but a short distance 

 from the track taken by trading vessels between Australia and 

 China, and is indeed but five hours steaming distance from 

 their course. It is extremely well protected, and contains an- 

 chorage for any number of vessels; having an extent of fifteen 

 miles in length, by five miles in breadth. 



Kadat and Gaya. 



Kudat and Gaya harbours are within a few hours steam of 

 the route, through the Palawan passage, taken by ships trading 

 from the West to China and Japan. The value of these 

 harbours, therefore, as coaling stations, and refuges for our 

 mercantile navy, in the event of a war with a naval power, 



