Soil, — The soil, so far as it is yet known, Is not so fertile as 
in the volcanic islands. Much of it is still covered nath aprimeval 
forest, in which are found not only the gigantic timber trees, 
which the poorest soil will produce in equatorial regions, but 
many of the most useful tropical products, such as benzoin, 
camphor, gutta, the sago-palm, and the rattan. The latter 
grows remarkably well in the South-West, the Banjer-Masin 
rattan having a higher value than that of any other country in 
Malaya. 
DtiTcn Settlements in Borneo, 
The Dutch claim Jioveneignty over the greater part of Borneo, but wot 
in any of the territory lyiuij^ to the North of a line ffoiti Sarfuvak to the 
Si bviko river. They have estahlislicd ttircc Uesklentship?* — Pontiilnak, 
Banjer-Ma^tin and Kutei — wiUi the usual syatera of ra^i(leiiti:il ^overumeut, 
over the coast districts of the West aud 8iJiith. The whole auiitricra 
portion^ comprtsiiiig m ire than one-fifth of the entire iskiiii, i^ claimed 
by them, and is more or lesis nmler thdr control, whik' the remaining, or 
northern J portion conspriscs tlie Sultimsite of Borneo Proper, with Sabah 
(North Borneo) and Sarfiwnk on either side. 
> Fontidiiiik, 
♦ Pontirmak i» the name of the Western district, which compiuses 
PontiAnak, SanibaSj M{mtmdo and yintaiig. It is the <ddc8t tiadint^ settle- 
ment in Borneo and has reniaincti under the nominal rule of a Sultan. Tin, 
gold and diamonds are obtained from numerous Cbioese mines in this 
district. Sintanp:, on the Upper Kapuius river, is the seat of an Assistant 
Resident, who supervises the many tribes of Dyaks in the interior, 
Banjer-Masin. 
The Southern district is called Banjer-Masin ; and this Resi- 
dency inclufles Kwan and the Sub- residencies of Amuntal and Mar- 
tapuraj with a population of about 600,000 people, mostly Dyaks. The 
town of Banjer-Masin is situated about 15 mile^i frotti the mouth of the 
Barito. Its population is estimated at upwards of 8 1,0. a;. 0/ thd 
commercial commnnityj the Chinese form the most important portion. 
KMcL 
Kfltei is the Eastern district ; and at TengAron*^, a Bu^is settlenicnt, 
50 miles !ip the river K^tei, there is an AHsistant Resident, i h* 
