139 MR BURNS' TRAVEL* IN BORNEO PROPK1. 
feeder of the Rajang, he was enabled to reach the Tatau, 
by which he proceeded to the coast. Including the period 
occupied in travelling Mr Burns was altogether three months 
amongst the Kayans, and six months in their vicinity. We 
shall not anticipate any part of his description of the race, 
and close this notice of his journey by remarking that the 
various aboriginal tribes on the southern rivers of Borneo, 
appear to be all nearly related and distinguished in many 
respects from the Bayaks of the west and north-west coasts. 
The tribes visited by Mr Burns appear to be off shoots from 
one of the most eastern branches of this numerous people, 
who occupy by far the greater part of the island. The name 
is identical with that of the principal branch, formerly no¬ 
ticed by us*, who occupy the great river Kahayan from 
the southern coast of Borneo to the mountains behind 
Borneo Proper. 
Mr Burns is the first European who has ventured to explore 
the interior of Borneo Proper. We hope his success will 
lead to an equally complete examination of other portions 
of the island, and that authentic information will soon su¬ 
persede the hearsay and exaggeration which compose too 
much of our present accounts of Borneo. All difficulties, 
real as well imaginary, in the way of research in the Ar¬ 
chipelago, vanish before an enterprising and indefatigable 
spirit like that which has enabled Mr Burns to explore the 
country of the Kayans, without any assistance or protection 
from either the English colonial governments or the Sultan 
of Borneo, for the authority of the latter is, as he found, totally 
disowned by the Kayan chiefs, 
* Journ, Ind, Arch, Vol, II p. 556; 
Q 
