BORNEO 
231 
numerous rhododendrons, forming trees 2 0 feet high, as 
in the Himalayas; here the characteristic Malayan 
pitcher-plants (. Nepenthes ) reach their maximum of size, 
variety, and beauty; and here are found such typical 
Australian genera as Leptospermum , Leucopogon , Cop- 
rosma , Dacrydium , and several others, among which is 
the Antarctic genus Drimys. In the lowlands, too, there 
are rhododendrons growing parasitically on trees or on 
exposed rocks; ferns and orchids are in endless variety ; 
and the strange Vanda Lowii hangs down its elegant 
flowers, like crimson stars, strung upon slender cords 
sometimes 10 feet in length. 
The zoology of Borneo has its closest affinities with 
that of Sumatra, thus differing considerably from Java. 
It is rather remarkable that the tiger, which is common 
in both the latter islands, should be unknown. There 
are, however, two smaller felines, F. macroscelis , the 
Clouded Tiger, and F. marmoratus. The elephant is 
tolerably common in British North Borneo, but its range 
appears to be very limited—a curious fact when the 
suitability of the rest of the island is taken into con¬ 
sideration. Some naturalists have sought to explain the 
fact by suggesting that they are the descendants of the 
trained animals formerly in possession of the Sultans of 
Brunei, an explanation which is possible, but not 
probable. For the Sumatran rhinoceros shows the 
same tendency to confine itself to this north-eastern 
promontory, and here no similar explanation can hold 
good. Both animals are found quite close to Sandakan. 
The elephants have destroyed plantations in the vicinity 
of the town, and rhinoceros have been known to enter its 
suburbs. The tapir is also reported to exist. Wild 
cattle (Bos banteng) are very numerous in parts, and here 
again we find that British North Borneo is the favourite 
