SINGAPORE. oQi 



these are pine-apples, mangosteens, melons, bananas, oranges, &c. 

 The pine-apples are remarkably fine, and not in the least acid ; in 

 proof of which, they do not turn the knife black in cutting them, and 

 to eat them is considered wholesome at all hours. The season for this 

 fruit was just coming in at the time of our arrival, and large boat- 

 loads were seen lying at the quay. They are usually planted along 

 the roadside, and though, when small, rather stiff-looking, yet when 

 full-grown and in bearing, they are a pretty object. Of all the plants 

 we saw, the nutmeg requires and receives the greatest care. The 

 trees are planted in orchards, and while young have a sort of arbour 

 erected over them, to protect them from the vertical rays of the sun. 



The gambeer (Nauclea) also claims much of the attention of the 

 cultivator : it is a low-sized tree, or bush, of no beauty. Its bark is 

 used for tanning, and it is said to be the most powerful astringent 

 known for this purpose. It is to be seen in the shops in the form of a 

 powder, of a reddish brown colour. We did not learn how this was 

 prepared, or how it was used: it appears, however, to be in great 

 demand. It is occasionally used by the Chinese, with their betel-nut, 

 of which there is a great consumption here, although it is not sold in 

 the streets, as at Manilla ; but quantities of the nuts are seen for sale 

 in the market. From the leaves also a powerful astringent is obtained 

 by boiling. 



The gamboge tree is also cultivated here, but more extensively on 

 the shores of the straits than at Singapore, and is a very considerable- 

 article of trade. 



The ride outside of the town to the hills is pleasant, passing through 

 plantations loaded with fruit, and the air at an early hour of the morn- 

 ing is filled with a spicy fragrance. The vivid green of the woods 

 and grass is also remarkable, and continues throughout the whole 

 year, for scarcely a day passes but a refreshing shower falls. The 

 roads are thus kept free from dust, and at all times in good order. 

 The usual mode of conveyance is in a palanquin, which is capable of 

 containing two persons. The cooley, or Hindoo who attends his 

 horse, usually runs by the side of the palanquin, and seldom tires. 

 The charge for one of these conveyances is a dollar, whether for a 

 whole or a part of a day, and a douceur is paid to the cooley accord- 

 ing to the time he has been employed. The palanquin is a very con- 

 venient vehicle, and its use is absolutely necessary during the heat of 

 the day, to shield the stranger from the burning rays of the sun. These 

 cooleys will run all day through it without any inconvenience. They 

 are principally from the neighbourhood of Madras, and are generally 

 about the middle size, thin, and muscular. 



