cHAr-xiiL] COUFJNG. 135 



The whole neighboiii'hood of Coupung appears to have 

 been elevated at a recent epoch, consisting of a rugged 

 surface of coi^ rock, which rises in a vertical wall between 

 the beach and tlie town, whose low white red-tiled houses 

 give it an appearance very similar to other Dutch settle - 

 itjents in the East. The vegetation is everywhere scanty 

 and scrubby. Plants of the families Apoc}Tiacete and 

 Euphorbiaceie abound; but tliere is nothing that can be 

 called a forest, and the whole country has a parchud and 

 desolate appearance, contrasting strongly witli the lofty 

 forest trees and perennial veixloi-e of the Moluccas or of 

 Singapore. The most conspicuous feature of the vi^otation 

 was the abundance of tine fan-leaved palms (Borassus 

 flabellifonnis), from the leaves of wliich are constructed 

 the strong and dumble water-buckets in general use, and 

 which are much superior to those formed from any other 

 species of palnL From the same tree, pfilra-wine and suf^'ar 

 are made, and the common thatch for houses formed of tlio 

 leaves lasts six or seven years without removal Close 

 to the town I noticed the foundation of a mined house 

 below high -water mark, indicating recent subsidence. 

 Earthquakes are not severe here, and are so infrequent 

 and harmless that the chief houses are built of stono. 



The inhabitants of Coupang consist of Malays, Chinese, 

 and Dutch, besides the natives; so that there are many 

 sti-ange and complicated mixtures among the population. 

 There is one resident English merchant, and winders as 

 well as Austi"alian ships often c^jme here for stores and 

 water. The native Timorese x>reponderate, and a very 

 little examination serves to show that tliey have nothing 

 ill common with I^Ialays, but are much more closely alliecl 

 to the true Papuans of the Aru Islands and New Guineii, 

 They are tall, have pronounced features, large somewhat 

 aquihne noses, and frizzly hair, and are generally of a 

 dusky brown colour. The way in which the women talk 

 to each other and to the men, their loud voices anil 

 laugh terj and general character of self-assertion, would 

 ena!ble an experienced observer to decide, even without 

 seeing them, that they wei-e not Malays. 



Mr. Arndt, a German and the Government doctor^ 

 invited me to stay at his house while in Coupang, and I 



