240 



A NATUBALISrS WANDERINGS 



on finding a broad, deep river, with a fleet of PalemLaiig prana 

 at anchor, and of rakits loaded, or lying to be filled np with 

 gutta-jiercha, rattan, and Lufl\Uoes for the Palembang market. 



From iluara-Kupit I proceeded to Siirulangnn, along a good 

 road followinfj the Rawas river, nnder a continnons shade of tall 

 Diirian trees from thirty-five to forty feet high — a growth of ten 

 years. The road was carpeted throughout its length with their 

 fiovi ers, which were dropping ofl' in vast numbers. In the flower- 

 ing time it was a most pleiisant shady roa<.l ; but later in tho 

 season the chance of a fruit now and then descending on one's 

 head w^ould l>e less agreeable.* At every village I passed, I was 

 respectfully received by the chiefs ; and at severAl places they 

 were aecompanied by the youths and maidens, who were 

 formed to right and left of the way attended by & band, while 

 a table loaded with fruits, sweetmeats and coffee, barred the 

 road, of which in order to gratify them I had to dismonnt and 

 partake. This band played me to the boundaries of the 

 next village, where another wa^ waiting to convoy ns through 

 their region. 



At Sumlangnn, the residence of Mi\ Kamp the genial Magis- 

 trate of the district, enjoying his bountiful hospitality, and the 

 companionship of the commandant of a small garrison quartered 

 there for the protection of the district against the Djambi 

 people, several most pleasant days were passed. These hostile 

 neighbours make not infrequent raids on the villages to carry 

 off their herds, covering their departure by maliciously plant- 

 ing the roads with short sharp bamboo spikes, invisible till 

 wounds are received. 



Here I had the satisfaction of again examining, through Mr. 

 Kamp's kind aid, a considerable assemblage of Kubus of botli 

 sexes. Several of them it would have been impossible to tell 

 from the people of the surrounding villages from their features ; 

 on the other hand, there were peculiarities scarcely reducible 

 to words, by wliich they could have been picked out among 

 a crowd of Jralays. I tried to formulate the differences, but 

 found myself almost unable to say exactly wherein they con- 

 sisted. The high (between the eyes) straight dorsum of the 



* Of this fniit fhe natives are iiasaionately fond ; ftnd Mr, Wallnce writes 

 it is wartli a voyago tu the Kast to taste; aod the elephants flock loit« shade 

 hi the fniitin^ umej but, itme singular .''till, the tiger ir aaid to devour it 

 Hith avidlity. 



