370 
criptive  labels.  The  geology  of  the  peninsula  is  illustrated  by  a 
set  of  specimens  with  notes  on  the  occurrence,  geological  age,  and 
economic  importance  of  the  several  formations.  Rice,  sago,  sugar, 
rattan,  canes,  gutta-[)ercha,  rubber,  dammar  resins,  fibres,  gambler 
and  other  tanning  materials,  dye  stuffs,  spices,  &c.,  are  similarly 
represented  by  selected  specimens  and  descriptions  of  their  collec- 
tion, manufacture,  and  uses.  Statistical  tables  showing  the  area, 
popuiaiion,  revenue,  expenditure,  trade  and  exports,  prepared  by 
the  Local  Government  have  been  placed  in  the  Court.  An  import- 
ant addition  is  a large  map  specially  prepared  for  the  Court,  show- 
ing the  several  Settlements  and  States  under  British  administration, 
the  railways,  and  other  features  of  interest.  When  the  new  exhibits 
arrive  and  have  been  incorporated  in  the  present  collection  the 
Court  will  give  a full  and  accurat(‘  representation  of  the  economic 
resources  of  the  Straits  vSettlements  and  Federated  Malay  States, 
and  prove  an  im[)ortant  factor  in  extending  public  knowledge  of 
the  country  and  furthering  its  commercial  interests. 
British  North  Borneo  : — A collection  of  the  commercial  products 
of  British  North  Borneo,  including  timbers,  coal,  rice,  sago,  sugar, 
coffee,  cacao,  pepper,  tobacco  and  cigars,  camphor,  gutta-percha, 
dammars,  cutch,  and  gambier,  is  on  view  in  the  North  Gallery. 
Strait  Times, 
j 2th  November , igoj. 
PERSONAL. 
Many  planters  and  others  in  the  Peninsula  will  be  sorry  to  hear 
that  Mr.  C.  Curtis,  the  Superintendent  of  the  Penang  Gardens,  has 
been  compelled  to  retire  from  the  service  on  account  of  ill-health. 
Mr.  Curtis,  who  was  for  many  years  plant-collector  to  Messrs. 
Veitch  during  which  time  he  travelled  in  Madagascar,  Sumatra 
and  Borneo,  joined  the  Straits  Government  Service  in  July,  1884, 
and  was  appointed  in  charge  of  the  Penang  Gardens  and  Forests, 
where  he  remained  till  his  retirement.  As  a .skilful  and  energetic 
horticulturist  and  an  excellent  plant-collector  and  botanist,  he  has 
done  very  good  service  to  the  Colony,  and  his  compulsory  retire- 
ment is  much  to  be  regretted. 
It  is  understood  that  Mr.  Fox  will  hll  the  vacancy  in  the  Penang 
Gardens  and  Forest  Department  and  that  Mr.  R.  Derry,  will  be- 
come Assistant  Superintendent  in  the  Singapore  Botanic  Gardens. 
MISCELLANEOUS. 
Notices  to  Subscribers. 
I.  For  the  information  of  subscribers  and  others  who  have  been 
unable  to  complete  their  series  of  the  Agricultural  Bulletin  of  the 
Straits  and  Federated  Malay  States  notice  is  here  given  that  Nos. 
