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in all the larger damp jungles of the Peninsula, often forming 
almost impenetrable thickets. By the aid of their long-hooked 
flagella, and the thorns on the midrib of the leaves, they climb to 
the tops of the high trees. 
When collected, suitable ones are selected and cut with a pa- 
rang or chopper, and the leaves having been cut off, the stem is 
beaten with a thick stick so as to loosen the thorny bark, which is 
cleaned off, and the rattan is then coiled up for convenience of 
carriage. On arrival at Singapore they are straightened, and 
cleaned by washing, and cut into lengths of a suitable size. They 
are put to a great number of uses, and many articles are made 
from them in Singapore, such as baskets, chairs, flower-pot stands, 
tables, mattings, cradles, and the like. Some are used as walking 
sticks, and others only for tying. -A large quantity are also ex- 
ported to America and Europe and manufactured there. Only 
certain kinds are used for each purpose, some being suitable for 
one use and some for another. They are used either whole, or 
split with a curious knife made for the purpose. 
Specimens of articles made partially or wholly of rattans are : — 
170 Rattan baskets, from Malacca. 
180 Baskets of round rattan, „ 
181 „ of split rattan, „ 
175 Tray made of rattan and bamboo, from Malacca. 
145 Rope made of twisted rattans, from Selangor. 
Plectocomia elongata, Griff. 
Rotan Dahan (Mai.). 
A very stout and lofty rattan, the thickest of all the rattans. 
Used as split rattan only. 
Spec. 212 from Malacca. 
212a „ Perak. 
Korthalsia scaphigera , Mart. 
Rotan Semtjt (Mai.). Ant Rattan. 
This rattan is infested by a peculiar species of ant which makes 
its nest in the swollen bases of the leaf stalks, hence its name. It 
is a very much sought kind. 
Spec. 224 from Perak. ( 
224a from Chabau, Malacca. 
Calamus javensis , Bl. 
Rotan Sendi, Rotan Lilin (Mai.). 
Spec. 217 from Chabau, Malacca 
217a „ Perak. 
C. insignis , Griff. 
Rotan Batu (Mai.). Stone Rattan. 
Spec. 219 from Chabau and Jus, Malacca. 
