TO LOWER SI AM. 41 



ubiquitous holly leaved Hydnocarpus ilicifolim extremely 

 abundant all over these hills and very troublesome to push 

 through from its prickly leaves, formed most of the trees and 

 shrubs and none except the last were in flower. The only 

 undergrowth was the fern Adiantum caudatum, and at one 

 spot we found some of the blue balsam. There seemed to be 

 practically nothing else. 



The Serow (Nemorhoedus) is said to occur on this hill as 

 it does on most of the limestone rocks, but one never meets 

 with it or sees any tracks of it. The Chinese we were told 

 had lately caught four in traps (jerats) in the neighbourhood. 

 They value them at 27 dollars a piece. The tongue alone is 

 worth ten dollars as a cure for broken bones. The Serow 

 when it breaks its leg on the rocks, repairs the damage by 

 continually licking it, hence it is obvious to a Chinaman that 

 its tongue carefully dried will heal similar breakages in the 

 human body. The blood of the animal is also valued as a 

 medicine. 



It appears to be the custom here on going on a journey 

 or starting on any undertaking to lay a square of bamboo 

 lattice a foot or more wide over some cockle shells and Siamese 

 cents, and so leave it to bring prosperity. The essential 

 seems to be to throw away some money, and as Siamese cents 

 are cheapest they are preferred. We came across one of 

 these votive offerings in a field behind the village, and Hus- 

 sein as soon as he saw it dashed at it kicked off the bamboo 

 and pocketed the cents. I saw another one quite similar 

 at Tebing Tinggi, left near the spot whence boats start down 

 the river. I never remember to have come across this custom 

 elsewhere. 



The main range of limestone hills runs down to the river 

 bank at Tebing Tinggi which may be called the port of Kanga, 

 for the steamers come up there to take passengers and goods 

 for Setul or Penang. It is only three miles from Kanga with 

 a good road, but to save time we drove there on March 3. 

 It is a most picturesque spot, with the lofty cliffs quite 

 precipitous and clothed to a large extent with trees and 



R. A. Soc, No. 59. 1911. 



