19 
■ 85. In the northern half of the Settlement roads are 
generally good, hut in the south tlieir condition is less satis- 
factory/ The total extent of roads may be put down at about 
100 miles. 
86. The composition of the hill ranges is, with little excep- 
tion, the same as that of Penang, hut the soil which covers 
them is generally considered to he of a more friable nature. The 
flat country (and it is mostly flat) is all alluvial deposit, and is 
said to have been at one time covered by the sea, the action 
in the tidal current, to which its elevation is due, is still 
going on. Its coast line receives from the sea annually an 
increment of mud, and in some places more than others the 
coast line is gradually being extended. These deposits are 
sometimes the cause of those peculiar phenomena on the south 
bank of the Krian River, which I was for. some time much 
puzzled to account for. Looking over the tops of the mangrove 
trees at this point they seem to be clipped into terraces which 
descend by gradual steps .towards the sea. The tops of the 
trees of the first, second and third series are all quite level 
with each other, as if cut over with great care, so as to 
have the top of each tree on a dead level with its neighbour. 
The breadth of these terraces may average 80 feet, their height 
is about six feet. The explanation of this phenomenon is, I 
presume, given in the fact that the silting up of mud along 
the outer edge of the swamp is continually going on ; but as 
the seed crop of the trees is only once a year, there is an 
annual stocking of the new formations of mud with seed 
which causes about twelve months’ difference in the age and 
height of the trees, and so gives a peculiar terrace-like 
appearance. 
87. The good forest remaining may he taken as amounting 
to about 20,000 acres, and this is to be found in the southern 
districts near the boundary which separates the Province from 
the territory of Kedah. 
88. There is less waste land in the Province than in any 
of the other Settlements ; but I do not include the mangrove 
swamps, which contain too great a depth of water for the cul- 
tivation of rice. 
RECOMMENDATIONS. 
89. Prom what has been already said it will be obvious 
that the first important step to he taken towards bringing 
forest matters in the Settlements to a more satisfactory issued 
is to secure the preservation of such forests as are worth 
retaining, especially such as occupy positions affecting the 
wood .and water-supply. In Singapore no better position can 
be chosen for a forest reserve than the central ridge or high 
land which covers the interior of the island, and which 
contains the sources of all the more important streams, 
as shewn within the dark line on the annexed map. The 
growing scarcity of fuel and the exhaustion of the Bakau 
jungles along the coast, necessitate the formation of a reserve 
purpose for a permanent supply, and I would propose for this 
the reserve marked A, which is close to the chief town, and, 
therefore, to the centre of demand. This land comprises a 
series of hills and swamps, and is suitable for the growth of 
every variety of wood used for fuel, as well as of timber trees 
for general- purposes. Included also within its area are more 
Bakau trees and jungle than can be found anywhere else in 
the island; wood from this reserve could be moved with 
facility along the road marked H, as well as by boats along 
Geology. 
Forests. . 
W ast* Lands. 
Singapore. 
