AND THE NEIGHBOURING ISLANDS. 



155 



bulwarks of stakes and stones are necessary for their protection. In PmZo 

 Ticoose bay, on the contrary, the sea has been retiring, the mud bank is 

 daily increasing, and the mangrove has been gradually extending itself. 

 It is too likely that some years hence, the bay may be entirely filled up. 

 These changes are probably owing to the tides setting in strongly from 

 the northward and westward. Pulo Ticoose point protects the bay from 

 their action, which is exerted in full force upon the Fort point, or Tanjongy 

 as it is called by the natives. 



The sand along the coast, round the island, is generally whitish and 

 pure : in some places, however, more particularly on the north side, it is 

 nearly black, from the intermixture of numerous small particles of mica. 



So much for Pinang itself. We now proceed to the neighbouring 

 islands, commencing with those to the northward. 



I. Pulo Ticoose, or Rat Island, is merely a barren rock of white 

 granite, with a few large canes. It is about a mile from the north east 

 point of Pinang, is of small extent, and offers no geological phenomena 

 of any interest. 



II. The Boontings are four small islands to the north of Pinang, 

 arranged in a semi-circular form, the nearest being about fourteen miles, 

 the farthest about twenty-five from Fort Cornwallis. The most remote 

 one, from a fanciful resemblance to a " femme enceinte' lying on her 

 back, has received from the natives the name of Boonting, a iMalay word 

 signifying " pregnant." In connection with this idea, the other islets 

 have derived their appellations. That nearest Pinang is called Bcedan, 

 or " the midwife "; the name of the next is Panghil, or the messenger sent 

 to call her, — and behind it is Sonsoug, or the companion of the messenger. 



