GEOGRAPHICAL DESCRIPTION OF TIIE ISLAND OF BANKA. 3/0 
Petijalin-belo , sometimes called Rangam-ba.ru, lies about 1 mile 
further eastward, and nearer to the sea, from which it is separated 
by a slight narrow eminence, covered with jungle. It contains the 
vestiges of a former extensive cultivation, and has become remarka¬ 
ble in consequence of the temporary establishment of a convalescent 
Hospital in the commencement of the year 1813. Between Penja- 
lin-belo and Rangtim are the remains of a former settlement at Sun- 
gie-buntu. 
Belo , nearly one mile further eastward, is at present an inconsi¬ 
derable village,- containing about 12 Malay and 15 Chinese families; 
it is situated above half a mile from the sea, in a low plain, near the 
banks of a river, larger than that of Minto-tawar abovementioned. 
It was formerly one of the principal tin districts of Eankd, but has 
declined with the exhausted state of the old mines ; those which are 
at present wo iked, are situated nearly 8 miles in the interior, in a 
direction (from the village) north or north-east, near the center of 
the peninsula at Meng-gelam and Pait-dul&ng; the former is the 
most important. 
The eastern portion of this peninsula, to the district of Tam pe¬ 
lting is, near the coast, an uninterrupted almost inaccessible desert, 
the interior is divided into several districts which are inhabited by 
the mountain people, and will be mentioned in the sequel. 
T&mpeldng lies nearly 25 miles to the eastward of Belo, near a 
small river of the same name. It was formerly inhabited by Chi¬ 
nese, who worked the mines hi the neighbourhood in a regular man¬ 
ner. As they committed a number of oppressions on the mountain 
people, these united against them, and, assisted by the Malays who 
lived here, compelled them to retire. Tampelang has, during the last 
twenty years, been repeatedly ravaged by the pirates: at present a 
small number of mountain-people work several inconsiderable mines. 
The former stockade, built with uncommon care and expense by the 
Chinese, still remains nearly entire : it contains at this period, with 
the neighbouring village, a population of 16 families, Malays and 
mountain-people. 
Rivers . — Having mentioned the chief villages and settlements, I 
