PLANTS OF PRINCE OF WALES ISLAND. 55 



times, by means of wooden bridges. The lowest fall is not 

 above twenty feet in height the water limpid as crystal, and 

 'always cool. Thence, by a steep and winding ascent, amid 

 thick forest, you come to the foot of the great fall, the height 

 of which has been reckoned two hundred feet, though I suspect 

 this estimate of exaggeration. However, the fall of no despic- 

 able stream, from such an elevation, skirted on both sides with 

 most luxuriant foliage, forms an object at once pleasing and 

 sublime. Although the air in the wood, when I first visited 

 it, was exceedingly close ; yet on approaching the bottom of 

 the fall, I found it so cold, that I was glad to make a speedy 

 retreat, being apprehensive of bad effects from such a sudden 

 change of temperature when heated. The water is perfectly sweet 

 and well tasted. This river, called the Waterfall river, after 

 quitting the valley, takes its course to the South- ward, and-joins 

 its stream to another, the Ayer Hitam{oY black water) which 

 comes from the South-ward. The united trunk, called the 

 Penang Biver, falls into the harbour about two miles to the 

 South-ward of George Town; and from this place, ships are 

 generally supplied with water. But, as far as their boats are 

 able to navigate the river, its water is said to be slightly 

 brackish ; on which account, it has been proposed to conduct 

 the purer stream of the Water-fall, by pipes, to George Town 

 for the use of shipping as well as of the inhabitants. 



The harbour is formed by the strait, intercepted between 

 the Island and the Malay shore. For capacity and security 

 from tempests, it is hardly inferior to any in the World. 

 But its advantages have been so ably detailed by Sir Home 

 Popham, that I cannot pretend to add anything to the 

 information contained in his report. Whether it is capable of 

 being fortified, so as to be tenable against the temporary 

 superiority of an enemy at sea ; and, if so, what are the best 

 means of effecting that purpose, are questions that have under- 

 gone much discussion, and still remain unanswered. 



The forests produce a great variety of timber for the con- 

 struction of ships, as well as houses, and for household furniture. 

 I have seen specimens of about thirty different kinds, but was 

 able to ascertain the botanical characters of very few. From 



R. A. Soc, No. 53, 1909. 



