34 AN EXPEDITION TO MOUNT BATU LAWI. 
through the jungle in a general easterly direction arriving at the 
Madihit again about 2 p.m. ‘The river runs nearly north here but 
bends away to the west below us and to the east again above us. 
Penribut says the path leads straight up into the hills now and the 
next place for water is a long way ahead so we must spend the 
night here. We have had several stops, resulting in a balance of 
three and a half hours walking only—a poor day’s work. However 
I feel I have had quite enough and am glad to stop, especially as 
it is raining hard; we make a lancho on the right bank above and 
enjoy a delicious bathe in the cool clear water below, altitude 1,300 
ft. Below us two little streams flow out into the Madihit from 
either bank; both called the Patud. 
May 23rd: (Temp. 6 a.m. 69°). ‘To-day nice and fine again; 
I hope to get in a long day’s march. 
This no sooner written than Penribut is reported to be desirous 
of staying here another day on account of a bad omen heard a few 
minutes ago, which warns him of trouble if he starts. After much 
persuasion with the help of Belulok, he goes back to his lancho to 
get ready his things for marching; only to return shortly after 
looking more obstinate than ever, having again heard the evil bird, 
which he says absolutely prevents his doing any journey to-day. 
After much good-tempered, but useless, argument I try to com- 
promise and say that two of his men may stay and propitiate the 
bird provided they can get their friends to carry their loads. But 
this proposal is not acceptable so I insist on them all following, 
birds or no birds; and this they do with a good grace, although we 
have lost a good half hour by talking. Path leads straight up the 
hill and maintains a general easterly direction ; I note the following 
altitudes: camp above the Madihit 1,400 ft., then up to 1,900 ft., 
2,200 ft., 2,400 ft., 2,700 ft., 8,000 ft.; down to 2,720 ff., then 
up to a steep 500 ft. to 3,220 ft., whence we get a good view 
of the two peaks of Batu Lawi; the higher and steeper peak like 
a chimney lies to the north, the lower and more rounded peak to 
the south. The big range still impedes our view of the lower 
portion of Batu Lawi. ‘To the north and parallel to us run the 
Raya Hills; the tall virgin jungle hides all other views. 
Saw two specimens of the “‘ moth-like horsefly ” mentioned by 
St. John,* the first I have seen in the jungle though the insect—a 
Cicada (Tacua speciosa, \\hg.)—is not rare at lamps in Sarawak. 
Later we disturbed another large Cicada (Pomponia diffusa, 
Bredd.) which flew straight into a large spider’s web, where I watched 
it for some time struggling hopelessly to free itself; it was even- 
tually “rescued ” with the aid of butterfly net. Considering the 
strong flight of the insect and its size-(with tegmina expanded it 
*“T found today, just as we were crossing the ridge, one of the most curi- 
ous insects I have ever seen ; it appeared like a gigantic moth, above four inches 
in length, and was of a brown colour, with a band of bright green just across 
its neck ; although it had the look of a moth, on clcser examination it proved 
to be a great horsefly.’’ Spenser St. John, op. cit. pp. 85-86. 
Jour. Straits Branch 
