GEOGRAPHICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE ISLAND OF BANKA. 
northern part of the Straits of Bauk&, ami the Bay of Jehus. It forms 
a separate peninsula. It is divided from the great south-east division 
by a Hue drawn obliquely across the island from the discharge of the 
Mendu river to that of the river of Marthvang. The line of boun¬ 
dary between the northern division is supposed to extend from the 
month of the river of K&mpak to the source of that of Mardvvdng, 
which it follows to its discharge. This division therefore comprizes 
a considerable portion ot the central parts of Banks,: but it becomes 
gradually narrower as it approaches the eastern shore. The advan¬ 
tages of this division will appear in the sequel: any other arrange¬ 
ment would separate those districts which are united under one na¬ 
tive chief. 
From the discharge of the Mendu river, the coast takes for a short 
distance a nearly northern, and after this, upon the whole, a western 
direction to point Titnjong Kalian, the extreme south-west point of 
this peninsula: its stretch is now north, with some slight deviations 
to Tanjong Bunnd, and then east, inclining to north, to Its junction 
with the northern division, at the discharge of the river of Kampak. 
This division of the island, although secondary in point of anti¬ 
quity to the former settlements at Banko-kutto, near the foot of the 
Permissang hills, has been the most important since it was acquired 
by Plembaug. and since the Tin-mines were discovered and worked. 
Towns of Minto and villages of the District ,—The first esta¬ 
blishment of any note by the princes of Plemb&ng was at Minto. 
This town is situated nearly four miles from the extreme south-west 
point of the peninsula abovementioned. It contains at present the 
largest number of inhabitants collected in one place, although there 
is nothing peculiarly remarkable or favourable in its situation, except 
its vicinity to the river and capital of Plembang. It consistsof a long 
range of houses, built nearly parallel to the shore, nith some regula¬ 
rity as to its longitudinal extent, on a narrow sandy plain, bounded 
somewhat abruptly in the north by a steep acclivity, which has a 
winding direction. The plain is consequently unequal in breadth, and 
the town is accommodated to the space remaining at the foot of the hil,l 
which in some places admits of a double or triple range of dwellings. 
