629 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM VOL. XXXIV. 
The Tongkam River joins the Besitan at Tanjong Kramet. [Tanjong Rembia 
on map.| The schooner anchored about 4 miles up the Tongkam, which is a 
tidal creek lined with mangroves. The principal collecting ground was the left 
bank of the Tongkam. There were a few kebuns and old clearings, but the 
country was mostly forest, intersected in all directions by the roads of the Chinese 
woodcutters. There was plenty of heavy original forest. The surrounding 
country is mostly rolling hills and ridges about 80 to 120 feet high. I remained 
at the anchorage in the Sungei Tongkam from December 8, 1905, to January 8, 
1906. I also shot over the country about the headwaters of the Tongkam, which 
is covered with heavy forest extending from the Tamiang River [belonging to 
a watershed just to the north, not included or shown on the map, page 621]. Saw 
many fresh tracks of rhinoceros here. But a Malay who had a gun was con- 
tinually after them, until, before I left, I could find no more fresh tracks. About 
a dozen Malays had made a clearing at the head of canoe navigation on the 
Tongkam. 
I was anchored in the Sungei Halaban from January 11 to 28, 1906, about 
4 miles up. The shooting ground was usually the peninsula between the 
Halaban and the Tongkam, which was rolling country mostly covered with 
heavy forest. There were many roads made by the Chinese woodcutters. 
February 1 to 9, 1906, was spent in the upper part of the Besitan River, about 
14 miles up from the kwala [mouth of river]. The country was hilly and 
covered with magnificent unbroken forest. Animal life was not plentiful. 
There were no habitations beyond about two hours above Besitan Station.— 
W. L. Abbott. 
Salat Rupat.—This is the narrow strait between Pulo Rupat and 
the mainland of Sumatra. Its average width is about 3 miles and its 
depth at the upper part is about 5 fathoms and at the lower part 
decreases to 3 fathoms.* 
The mainland of Sumatra along Salat Rupat is low and swampy during the 
rains. ‘The shore is mostly covered with Secondary scrub and jungle, but back 
a short distance the country is all heavy forest. Tigers are abundant and ele- 
phants are said to be found at the time of rains. I saw many of their trails. 
The country is completely tracked up with pigs, tigers, Rusa, and many other 
animals, but the denseness of the jungle prevents one from catching sight of 
the larger game.—W. Il. Abbott. 
Pulo Payong.—See map, page 623. 
Is an island about 4 miles long, in the Salat Rupat. It is low and swampy 
and largely covered with ‘*“‘ Nibong” palms.—W. lL. Abbott. 
Pulo Rupat.See map, page 623. 
Pulo Rupat is the largest of the islands in the straits of Malacca, lying near 
the east coast of Sumatra, from which it separated by the Salat Rupat, 2 to 38 
miles wide and 10 to 15 fathoms deep. The whole island is low and flat, and 
Swampy in the rainy season. The surface is nearly all covered with virgin 
forest. Some clearings exist along the coast and on the Salat Morong which 
separates it from Pulo Medang. Including Pulo Medang, this island forms a 
circle 26 geographic miles in diameter. The inhabitants number 2,000 or 3,000, 
“Directory Indian Archipelago and Coast of China by Alexander George 
Findlay. London, 1889. p. 53. 
