366 
usually do not thrive as well if they grow at all, as those at the top 
and bottom of the slopes. This appears to be due to the action of 
underground water currents which interfere with the growth or 
action of roots. & 
T^ e £[ eater P art of the hills of Sarawak, at least that portion 
which I have seen, are sandstone or limestone, and a great area of 
the diluvium of the lower country is therefore very savidy But the 
Lundu Hills which I visited are granitic, composed of a fine-grained 
granite. Below the base of the hills is a flat open plain of consi- 
derable size, formerly cultivated with Tobacco. The soil here is 
less sandy and more argillaceous, with sandy mounds or small h ; lls 
scattered about it. . This seemed to be the most suitable ground for 
Para rubber I saw in Sarawak, and it is here that Mr. MoiR has 
secured a concession for rubber planting. The soil is fairly dry 
and full of humus for a considerable depth. A good deal of pepper 
has been planted here on the sandier spots. Another likely spot is 
along the Kuching River near Santubong, I had not time to visit 
this but heard that somewhere here Chinese were planting Para- 
rubber. & 
H. N. RIDLEY. 
