THE DIFFEREXT RACES OX TIMUK. 



115 



compared to tlie riclily-clothed shores of Java, and 

 most of the other islan<k we have Been. Indeed, 

 none of the liills and high ridges throughout all the 

 southern half of the island are covered with such 

 dense forests as are seen in the eastern and noiiihern 

 pajrtB of Java, and the middle and northern parts of 

 Celebes, and over all the higher parts of Borneo and 

 Sumatra 



As we passed through Sapi Strait, I noticed 

 that, although both shores were green, yet forests 

 appeared to be wanting both on Sumbawa and 

 Floris, and this is also said to be true of Sandal- 

 wood Island. It is also asserted that this is some- 

 what the condition of the eastern end of Java and 

 the aonthem end of Celebes. Probably the cause of 

 this partial sterility is chiefly owing to the circum- 

 stance that the southeast monsoon, which contin- 

 ues here most of the year, from about March till 

 Kovember, comes over the dry, desert-like interior 

 of Australia, and does not become satiu'ated with 

 moisture on its passage over the Arafura Sea. Most 

 of the precipitation, therefore, that does take place 

 on Timiir, must occur on the southeast side of the 

 water-shed, and it is possible that extensive forests 

 may exi^t on that part of the island. The northern 

 half of t]ie island, which is owned by the Portuguese, 

 is far more fertile, and if it were thickly inhabited, 

 and properly cultivated, might yield large crops of 

 coffee. On landing, the most surprising of all the 

 objects that meet the eye are the natives. At that 

 time there were at least six different kinds in this 

 same village, besides descendants of Malay mothers, 



