THE MALAY FEXIXSCLA. 



by the earlier European explorers everywhere In search of the region 

 whence Solomon obtained his gold. 



There are three considerable rivers in Johor, tlie Endau, Johor, 

 and Moar, of which the lust-named is the largest and most important 

 in the southern extremity of the Peninsula, It lakes its rise in the 

 NPgri Sombilan territory, and after doUeoting numerous waters from 

 the inland uplands (Iuh-b from firiruhun {Berembiin), south- west- 

 wards to tlio west roast below Malacca* The Eitdau, which forms 

 the boundary toward* PahftTitf, runs from the Segntuat Hilla in a 

 north-eastorly direction to the east coast, while the Johor flows from 

 Mount R! urn at southwards to a wide estuary opposite Singapore. 



The majority of the inhabitants of Johor are Chinese, who arc 

 concentrated, as cultivators of gambler and p6p y <W j mainly lit the 

 .-xircHie Pinith over against Singapore, of which Johor has been 

 called the "back country." From Singapore they cross over to the 

 mainland ; the oajritalisii for whom they work are Singapore irad*™, 

 rind their produce, with must of their earnings, linds its way hick to 

 I Lie same place. Of late years European «pi>.'iilai>.T.s I; ■.:<■ h-gnii " ■ 

 plant engo, tobacco,, coffee, tea, and cocoa, on a targe scale in Bfdu 

 Pit-hut, mid some ollu j r dint rids. The eolterlif.N of guttu for I ho 

 Singapore market, after the ilisovf-ry tif ji.s n^ln] | ■ r«-| ■> -rl i'-« hy Mr. 

 Montgiunerie in 1S-42, wns enmed on actively till the supply was 

 exhausted. Saw-mills have also been worked with some success; 

 but at present the chief exports ure gambler, pepper, tajiioeiij limber, 

 rattans, and dauiar, for which Singapore is tho chief out port. 



The oidy mineral found in abundance la iron, which, although 

 occurring almost everywhere, is nowhere worked. Gold 3b known 

 to exist in one or two places; and tin in several districts, but no tin- 

 mining is actively carried on except in the Cariinons Islands, which 

 belong geologically to Johor, a] though now politically separated 

 from that Slate, and under the Dutch flag. 



The present capital is Johor Bfairu, or Xcto Jith*>r t whu-h has Inkm ih« 

 place of JottOf L&Mti, or Vid Joh>r, siituatrd a (Vw tnth-s up (hi' .T'llinr 

 estuary. The lii'W U>wu is n llr>urinli.ilii» little place, lying about M miles 

 inn i ] i-k-jtat of Bfanmraeityj in l" !6*"K, Int. There are no other town* 

 j*r*i[H jJv sm imJ Ii-iI ; 1 1 u I ><:.i Hut | nth kmk n-l ilir M"m si, on! (lie j.'.jml. -in 

 vill.igis of L' tvj<t, iiitniVtr JhUiarHni, ami Bui-it Kfpo»>f, Further south 

 ta the populous J nviini-se set th-ineul "f l^adnng which, nnlikc uu»st places 

 in the- Pun insula, lu-s nut on a rivur, but on the aea-tdiorii, which is here 

 Qja>n and sandy, 



Altliongh the fiovernimuiit fa of tin- usual autocratic rlinrtictcr, the 

 freedom and i-rtl i t- tirtM ul ^ ■! il> aihiHiii^trutmn tori rin>t favourably with 

 the systems prevailing in most other Malay Slates, Fur tin.' hint twenty* 

 livp yearn the e.iniiilry h is lwcn rali-il wik. |y hy tin- M mL:- l A hi h'di <*r., 

 K. <.'.!>.!., who vi»tt-."i KoglnLid in 16<J lb7S t aiud ltfStf, and who has dun© 



