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River, which was in progress at the end of the year. This area, which was 
selected by Mr. Corner and approved by the Conservator of Forests, 
Johore, is a fine example of the freshwater, tidal, swampy forest so abundant 
in the neighbourhood of Mawai and now being exploited for timber. The 
swampy forest has been explored by officers of this Department for several 
years because of its exceptional botanical interest. There occur within 
it many kinds of tree with stilt-roots and breathing roots, like those of the 
mangrove trees but belonging to such diverse families as the Annonacese, 
Myristicacese, Guttifene, Tiliaceae Celastracese, Ebenaceae, Sapotaceae, 
Cupuliferae and Euphorbiaceae : most of these plants have never been 
described systematically or in any way brought to the notice of botanists. 
The reserve, which lies a short distance above Mawai, includes one of the 
most beautiful forest-frontages on the river. It will be investigated in 
detail in the ensuing years. 
BUKIT TIMAH FOREST RESERVE 
This reserve, of some 250 acres, was taken overby the Gardens’ 
Department in July and is to be held as a Nature Reserve. It covers the 
greater part of Bukit Timah and can be reached by car in about twenty 
minutes from Raffles Place. It contains a fine and varied stand of big trees 
and a steep valley—the Fern Valley—of great botanical interest, the only 
parallel to which that has been discovered in Malaya being that of the 
remote Ulu Segun on Gunong Panti. It offers also magnificent views in 
every direction and for a mammalian fauna it can still boast of lotong and 
kra monkeys, kubong (flying lemur), pelandok, wild pigs, an occasional 
tiger and a few small rusa which roam through the Water Catchment Area. 
Botanically, the preservation of Bukit Timah is of historic importance 
because its forest has been visited by nearly every distinguished botanist 
who has arrived in Singapore since its foundation and many new species 
have been described from specimens gathered in its precincts. But its 
preservation is more valuable still for the civic life of Singapore because 
it offers a retreat wherein one can teach the rising generation to have a care 
for the wild things of wood and water. Except, indeed, a small piece of 
swampy land on the Mandai Road, and there is no other virgin forest within 
forty miles of Singapore town. 
A patrol of six labourers and one plant-collector was assigned to the 
reserve : the plant-collector was given the rank of Forest-Ranger. The 
first activity was to stop thefts of timber which was accomplished by 
October. Traces for several new paths were cut. The dense growth of 
ressam on the summit was cleared and the area was grassed over. Some 
vistas were opened up and three small shelters were erected where broad 
views could be obtained over Singapore town and the mainland. Collections 
were made by the botanical monkeys, Jambul and Puteh, from more than 
a hundred big trees whereby they were identified. Small aluminium labels, 
bearing both the botanical and vernacular names of the trees and the 
families to which they belong, were fixed to the trunks. Several kinds of * 
forest Monocotyledon (gingers, aroids, etc.) and tree-ferns were planted 
where patches of ressam had been cleared away. Many felled trees were 
tidied up. 
Grateful thanks are expressed to Mr. J. Hindhede for his help in this 
work and for permission to make use of his private road. 
CLASSES FOR SCHOOL-TEACHERS 
At the request of the Inspector of Schools, Singapore and Labuan, 
Mr. Corner held an advanced course in Systematic Botany at the Botanic 
Gardens on Saturday mornings. It was attended by the twelve most 
