17 
observed. In some places these soils have a great depth even 
on steep hill sides, as may he seen from cuttings made in the 
formation of a road up Government Hill, where the soil is of a 
reddish yellow or brownish colour, the path being covered by a 
large number of felspar pebbles showing that the granite which 
formed this soil contained felspar and mica in abundance. 
Decomposed rock of this description forms the best soils ; and 
this is apparent from the luxuriant forest growth which clothes 
this hill side. 
75. The climates of Penang and Province Wellesley differ 
in some respects, but both are adapted to all the purposes of 
intertropical agriculture. Hurricanes have never visited either 
of these places, though strong squalls have occasionally done 
much mischief in plantations. Droughts of considerable dura- 
ation occur at intervals. The atmosphere of Penang is more 
loaded with aqueous vapour than that of Province W ellcsley, 
owing to the latter being. more removed from proximity to the 
hills. The average temperature of Penang is about a degree 
higher than the Province : the dews are heavier perhaps in the 
Province. The northern half of the Province is swept by a 
strong wind during the day and generally by a cool land 
wind at night. The climate of Province Wellesley is 
generally believed to he more healthy Ihan that of Peuang 
plain, which is attributed to its being more ventilated. The 
temperature in Province Wellesley lias been known to fall to 
65° P., mean temperature of Penang plain about 80£° ; Pro- 
vince Wellesley 79£°. The mean annual rainfall of Tenang 
plain during the three years prior to 1882 was 107*72 inches. 
The mean temperature for the same period 88.8° and the mean 
minimum 75°. 
76. The composition of the primeval forests of Penang 
differs but little from the other Settlements with the exception 
of a few species which are also found to occur in British Bur- 
mah. And in reference to this it is to he noticed, that as we 
proceed northward, the Burmese and East Indian species gra- 
dually become more plentiful in the Malayan forests. The hill 
ranges formerly contained some very fine timber, hut little of 
this now remains, thoug hsecondary growth of considerable size, 
and even patches of good forest, still clothe some of the ravine 
sides. Here a tree of Dyera Costulata recently existed, known as 
the gi eat tree, and, from its position on the hilltop, was a land- 
mark to Manners. This tree had a clear stem of 110 feet to 
he first branch, its base was 30 feet in circumference, and 20 
feet at a height of 110 feet above ground. There are still 
several good sized trees of this species in the same neiglibour- 
hood, one of which measures 77 feet to the lower branches and 
18 feet in circumference. The wood of this species is white, 
n i 7 easily worked and chiefly used by undertakers for coffins 
7 s fi°e-niakers for clogs. The island contains also those 
ui liable species of the Singapore and Malacca forests which 
1 have already described. 
12 000 ;L e s S ^ ate ^ ai ; e[ \? £ ® xisti . n " p rown for ests at about 
T-n ‘ . 0 greater bulk of which is distributed over the 
hi 1 ranges in isolated patches, being most plentiful in the viffi- 
Tht h lls3 hm nt i Hi11 and the of ke island generllly. 
The lulls and hill slopes adjoining the coasts contain but few 
trees, except such as belong to private parties. I would, how- 
ever, except the neighbouring; islands; Pulau Jer&jak, for 
instance on which is situated the Leper Asylum, having an area 
of about nine square miles, is densely clothed with timber of 
small size. 
Meteorology 
F orests. 
