THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE. 
547 
1846.] 
It is doubtful, however, that these rocks have any thing 1 poisonous in their com¬ 
position, but more probable that they attract the poisonous matter emanating from 
the island ; for the same rock is largely exposed in and around Singapore, without 
producing obnoxious effects. The frigate Constitution was anchored about two 
and a half miles from this island, with the wind blowing from that quarter, but 
without any of the crew suffering from fever. 
It would thus appear that no definite condition of circumstances can be pointed 
out which is certainlyproduetive of this poison; as for instance the Pontine Mar¬ 
shes of Italy, and the arid burnt plains of the Estremadura, both highly produc¬ 
tive of this effluvia, yet very different. Again, the arid plains of Brazil, and the 
swamps of Sambas, both destitute of malaria. 
We may justly infer then that the poison which is so deleterious to the human 
constitution is not always the same in nature, but producing the same effects on 
the constitution ; or that it is always the same, but produced under an entirely dif¬ 
ferent condition of things. One state alone seems always necessary for its elimina¬ 
tion, that is a high temperature ; for I believe that there is no instance on record 
where it has existed under a low temperature. In all countries where there is a 
regular change of seasons to wet and dry, it is always most abundant at the com¬ 
mencement of the dry season. 
It is also capable of being driven by winds to some distance from where it ema¬ 
nates, but probably never more than two miles. It also appears more abundant at 
night, is sooner imbibed or takes more effect on the system. 
It is a subject fraught with much interest to mankind, and has occupied the at¬ 
tention of highly gifted minds for many years, but so evanescent is it in its charac¬ 
ter, that not only is its nature entirely unknown, but even its pathological effects on 
the system are not known to be exerted first upon the stomach or lungs. 
April , 1845.—At 4 o’clock, A. M., April 8th, we left the Constitution for the city 
of Borneo, with three boats and about forty men, under the command of Lieut. 
W. C. Chaplin. 
The ship was anchored about seven miles from the entrance of the bay, which 
is denoted by a low extent of land, which is an island partly enclosing the bay, 
and runs parallel with the coast, and appearing at a short distance as forming part of 
it. The trees on that part of the island around which it is necessary to pass are a 
species of pine, and are standing solitary, and the ground is elevated but a few feet. 
After rounding that point we took a southwest course, keeping in a parallel direc¬ 
tion with the right hand shore, for the bay widens and is studded with islands, which 
makes it difficult to ascertain where the river empties into the bay. After passing a 
distance of perhaps eight miles, we came to a small island with six prominent trees 
upon it, and containing perhaps ten acres of ground. The lower part of the island 
is quite low and is defended by a battery of seven or more guns, which are almost 
even with the water’s edge, and so much covered with grass that we were within 
two hundred yards before we discovered them, but from appearance they were not 
mounted on carriages. 
Judging from the muzzle, they were probably eight or ten pounds. There are 
several large rocks lying on this side of the island, perhaps fifteen or twenty feet 
in height, while the upper end is much more elevated, being thirty or forty feet in 
height, and has somewhat the appearance of an artificial work. On the summit of 
this elevation there is a small house or shed, intended, no doubt, as a lookout. 
There is a small partly demolished house near the water’s edge, on the river side 
of the island, which is inhabited by a family. This island is situated immediately 
below the mouth of the river, and is called, according to Mr. Lay, “Pulo Cher min” 
or Mirror Island, as he supposes, in allusion to the polished pieces of coal found upon 
it. When approaching this island we met one of the Rajah’s war proahs, com** 
manded by an officer, it was said, second in command to the chief Rajah. They 
had a large ensign flying at the stern, of a pale reddish yellow silk, with a triangular 
piece of red sed in the outer margin, with the point nearest the staff. This boat 
carried about forty men, and was paddled by twenty-four men, sitting along the 
side from about two-thirds of the bow aft. The bow of the boat was very little 
elevated above the water, and near the stern was a covered part extending about fif¬ 
teen feet, under which the officers were seated. 
One small gun was mounted amidships, perhaps four feet long and of two pounds 
No. 4. 6 
