622 
JOURNAL OF A VOYAGE TO THE EASTERN CQAS*T 
Within 28 miles of a vigorous and populous British settlement, and 
at the entrance of a strait through which about 1500 vessels annually 
pass, the eye may search all around for a single hut, in vain. Perfect 
solitude rests both on the sea and jungle. Not a single fisherman’s 
sampan is to be seen afloat, not a single cocoanut tree rising along the 
beach. Last century, when Johore was still a place of some trade and 
strength, this coast is said to have been inhabited, but the kingdom 
has long been without the energy to resist piratical attacks on parts of 
its shore much less exposed than this. If a hut were now made here, 
every inmate would be carried off by pirates within a year, and sold 
into slavery. Native vessels are frequently attacked, and although 
the steamer and gun boats, which are from time to time sent from 
•Singapore to cruize here, have undoubtedly served as a considerable 
protection to trade, the coast will not be safe until a permanent guard 
is stationed in the neighbourhood. The locality is also notorious 
for dangers of another kind, for scarcely a year passes without ship¬ 
wrecks taking place. It is only lately that a careful survey of the 
entrance into the Strait has been made. Several new dangers have 
been discovered and laid down by Captain Congalton and Mr. Thom¬ 
son, but it is to be feared that others remain undetected. The erec¬ 
tion of the long contemplated lighthouse can alone give security to 
navigation, and prevent pirates from resorting to the vicinity. 
Tknjong Kinawar Is not elevated like T&njong Pungfii. The hill 
that originally stood here has been ground down by the sea to its 
foundations. These cover a considerable space in front of the bead), 
and some singular remains rise like high walls out of the low open 
jungle that is scattered over the sandy flat of the point. These 
remnants of the skeleton of the hill prove, on closer examination, to 
be as curious in their composition as in their shape. At some places 
they appear to be formed of reddish brown wood in a state of decay, 
and 1 believe that similar rocks along this coast have been mista¬ 
ken for fossil wood.* 
We anchored for the night between Tanjong Kinawar and the 
next prominent point to the north, Tanjong Lompatan. Between 
this point are Labuan Moroh, Tanjong Batu Belobang, Teloh Pa- 
dang Moloh, and Teloh Mirtang. 
9th. September.— This morning I landed on the sandy beach to 
the south of Tanjong Lompatan. The jungle here is very luxu¬ 
riant. Near the place where I landed there was an empty wood 
* See Notices of the Geology of this coast, post. 
