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Z \ sink HO <4 \s ee i minty 3 St AE An ge f te Sere fs 4h ds bt 4 ) ¥J ANAT Wheat § Rt ah ih a i i Wot iP dot 0 © wile he MRK RICK Foch each AS iid : te ay ak 4s UE Say We Ae Be “RNA Se eae CRTC TIC Ne ay PUVA Gad bala 9 Als Lee sO ae a he A469 eh ot 74h 9 AER E ER OL y Psa Ruane 44 eey Meh ete hee ae Me BRL ee HA AEH ARE eae “yey ilo Sel oh) Oo, cae Oe We tc es fy . CxO 4 ‘ ‘e AG vei ranks ao Cor con sok er he | A tke aa: oh Wer Wy uy 9. GR A eee hh ee J 4 RGAE ea ip ne hy 4 6 inh u v= Wie /9 Le No. I ae O.. JOURNAL Y/ 9% OF THE | STRAITS BRANCH OF THE ROYAL ASIATIC SOCIETY. JUN ers. PUBLISHED HALF-YEARLY. hs sti, Amity (nove opt) Nationa: users SINGAPORE : PRINTED AT THE “ STRAITS Times” Press, py A. FrRois. £ oa ~~ INS NS s [Price to Members, Extra copies. ... 51.00 each To non- SRS bers ... 2,00 each No. I. JOURNAL OF THE STRAITS BRANCH OF THE ROYAL ASIATIC SOCIETY. nN 1878. PUBLISHED HALF-YEARLY. SINGAPORE : PRINTED AT THE “ Srrarts Times” Press, py A. FrRois. LS 08. ' 2 ay ; ae, = ea [x] . ‘3 qian r 3 + aie + ty geo a j A ¥ iD tee - rf % -_ ee Hi E * a ee r ie ut wees SieN\S pels 65 aE a et a ae A Ra ‘ sai a a Agi 5 nas oo ee ; ERRATA. Page II (Listof Members) for Brooke St. H. Sir,read H. H. Raja Ke » Labuan&S’baya ,, Labuan & Sa- rdwak. a » Penndy F.G. » Penney F. G. Des, re eEhat is.) his » That is his. 17 ;,. 20 5, Mamrix » Maérix. 20° 3, 3 »» residuce left by ,, residue left by. 3d | ae ear | » and a ath. De 5 ceo », regulué » regulus. 23 4, 16 >» needless » needles. Be ge ;, finvds », finds. »» line 24 yl sae id. ’,, lines 26 & 27 3 OF oy ONE: Bis De >, rarer those » rarerthanthose. 24 ,,. 6 3, N.S. and Uo Spey, 42 i} Head-lnes », Melanecian >, Melanesian. 44 108 line 1 » Royal Asiatic Straits Branch Societyofthe ¢ ,, 5 of the Royal Straits Branch Asiatic Society. AT Gir. LO s of several , of Several. fh < \ of = ait . 2 : * % $ 2 r ee - ‘ipso \aibiacrsiahe banc e Ry i + : YS aK. : pe : . 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J cteeguv DROBO QAR oa note A ved OM Ewlgablo VF edatrere 7 wae d > eee eae ete” emai Me THE STRAITS BRANCH OF THE ROYAL ASIATIC SOCIETY. PaTRON His Excellency Sir William C. F. Robinson k.c. M. &. MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL. The Ven’ble Archdeacon Hose, M. A. President. J.D. Vaughan, Esq. Vice President, Singapore. D. Logan, Esq. Vice President, Penang. The Hon’ble C. J. Irving. Honorary Treasurer. A. M. Skinner, Esq. Honorary Secretary. The Hon’ble J. Douglas, c. M. G. Ernest Bieber, Esq., L. L. D. N. B. Dennys, Esq. Ph. D. E. Koek, Esq. J. Miller, Esq. Memsers : ( Adinitted before July 15th.) Adamson, W. Caddy, EK. B. Aitken, D. Campbell, R. Angus, G. | Ching, Tan Kim. Anson, A. Cope, H. Armstrong, A. Cornelius, B. M. A. Baumgarten, C. Cousins, A. W. V. Bentley, Dr. J. M. Cuffe, J. C. Bentley, H. E. Dalmann, E. B. Bernard, A. Daly, D. D. Bernard, F. G. Denuys, H. P. T. Bernard, C. G. Denison, N. Biggs, Revd. L. C. Douglas, Capt. Blomfield (Re- Birch, J. K. sident of Selangor.) Black, A. F. Doyle, P. Boinville, A. A. de. Droeze, Lt. J. Haver. Bond, Hon. I. S. Duff, Alex. Boultbee, F. R. Dunlop, C. Bradford, F. Dunlop, C. J. T. Brooke, St. H. Sir, (Hon. Dunlop, Major R. A. Member.) Emmerson, C. Brown, L. Pall, Dr. TB: Bruce, Rob. R. Festa, Chevalier. Briissel, J. Fraser, J. Burkinshaw, J. Ghintz, C. Murray, Capt., OFFICERS Gomes, Revd., W. H. Graham, J. Gray, A. Hagedorn, EH. Hansen, J. H. Hazle, E. Hermens, A. H. A. Hervey, D. F. A. Herwig, H. Hewetson, H. W. Hill, B ©: Hole, W. Holmberg, B. H. . Hordyk, K. F. Hughes, H. L. Hullett, R. W. Inehi icrien bin Abdullah. Inchi Mahomed bin Maboob. Innes, J. Junicd, Syed Aboobaker bin Omar AY. Kauattman, A. Kehding, F. Ker, W. G. Ker, Y. R. Kynnersley, C. W. S. Labuan & S’baya, Ld. Bishopot (Hon. Member.) Lambert, J. R. (HA. Member.) Lambert, E. Lambert, G. R. Leech, H. W. C Leicester, A. W. M. Little, Dr. R. Low, Hugh (Rest. of Perak.) Maack, H. F. Maclay, de Mikluho (Honora- ry Member.) MacLaverty, G. MacNair, Hon. Major J. F. A. Maxwell, W. E. Maxwell, F. Maxwell, R. W. Mohamed, Syed Moonshi. Muhry, O. R. (Resdt. of Cl S, Ujong.) AND MEMBERS. Murton, H. J. Newton, H. W Paul, W. F. B. -Penndy, F. G. Perham, Rev. Pickering, W. A. Pistorious, P. Rappa, G. Read, Hon’ble W. H. Remé G. A. Rinn, Edmond. Rowell, Dr. T. I. Sagoff, Syed Mohamed bin nroed Al. Scheerder, J. C. Schomburgk, C. Shelford, T. Shaw, Hon. Capt., E. W. Lt. Gov. of Malacea. Skinner, Jk Sinclair, E. Smith, W. B. Sohst, T. Stewart, C. de B. Stiven, Rob. G. Subl, M. Swettenham, F. A. Swinburne, Capt. Paul. Symes, R. I: Talbot, A. P. Thompson, W. Tolson, G. R. Trachsler, H. Treacher, H. KE. Trebing, Dr. Uloth, H. W Vaughan, H.C. Veiteb, Dr. J. T. Verboch, Baron. Walker, Lt. R.S.F. Whampoa, Hon. H.A.K. c.m.e. Wheatley, J. J. L. Wilson, J. W. Woodford, H. W. Wynken, R. . Zemke, P. & W. H. PROCEEDINGS OF THE STRAITS BRANCH OF THE ROYAL ASIATIC SOCIETY. Minutes of MepTINGS HELD aT THE Rarrins Lisrary, Stvcapork, Monpay tHE 47TH NovempBer 1877. Present. The Ven. Archdeacon G. I. Hose. N. B. Dennys, Ksq., Ph. D. A. Gray, D. F. A. Hervey, The Hon. C. J. Irving, ,, W. E. Maxwell, Ff, Maxwell, W. A. Pickering, A. M. Skinner, J. D. Vaughan, The Venerable Archdeacon Hose having been requested to take the Chair, Mr. A. M. Skinner explained the object of the Meeting,—that of forming a Society to promote the collection and record of information relating to the Straits Settlements and the neighbouring countries. Mr. Skinner proposed and Mr. Irving seconded, “ That the gentlemen present form themselves into a Society for collecting and recording Scientific information in the Malay Peninsula and Archipelago: the said Society to be, for the pre- sent, called the “ Straits Asiatic Society.” Mr. Hervey proposed and M. W. HK. Maxwell seconded, That the gentlemen present form themselves into a provisional Committee, any three of whom will form a quorum.” Dr. N. B. Dennys proposed and Mr. Vaughan seconded, «“ That the Committee be requested to communicate with the Royal Asiatic Society with a view to the Society being incorpo- rated as the Straits Branch of that Society.” Mr. A. Gray proposed and Mr. W. A. Pickering seconded, “ That the subscription of the Society be fixed at $6 per annum; and that the Hon. C. J. Irving be requested to act as Honorary Treasurer.” IV PROCEEDINGS. Mr. Irving consented to accept the office, and Dr. Dennys agreed to act as Honorary Secretary until the receipt of the an- swer from the Royal Asiatic Society. The following gentlemen having previously signified their interest in the establishment of such a Society, though unable to be present at the Meeting, it was agreed that their names should be ineluded in the List of “Original Members” to be sent to the Royal Asiatic Society with the application for incorpora- tion :—viz. The Hon. J. Douglas, C. M. G. 3; Hon. W. Adamson. Herbert Cope, Esq. F. Kehding, __,, . Monpay, tHe 2Ist Januagy, 1878. A draft of Rules for the regulation of the Society was taken into consideration and after discussion Rules were agreed toin the torm appended. The election of Officers and Councillors for 1878 was then pro- ceeded with, the result being as follows :— Ven. Archdeacon Hose, President. J. D. Vaughan, Esq., Vice President for Singapare. D. Logan, Esq., Vice President for Penang. Hon. C. J. Irving, Honry. Treasurer. N. B. Dennys Esq., Ph. D., Houry Secretary (pro: tem :) The Hon. J. Douglas, C. M. G. Ernest Bieber, Esq., L. L. D. A. M. Skinner, Esq. E. Koek, i J. Miller, HN In diseussing the future place of Meeting tor the Society, the Hon. J. Douglas, Chairman of the Committee of Management of the Raffles Institution stated that he believed there would be no objection to the use of the rooms of the Library and Museum on any evening, except Tuesday and Friday in each week. Monpbay, THE 5TH FrBruary, 1878. An Editorial Committee was chosen consisting of the follow- ing members :— The Ven. Archdeacon G. F. Hose. we Srrom c. , Urvine, A. M. Skinner, Esq. N. B. Dennys, Esq., Ph. D. PROCHEDINGS. / It was decided that the first monthly General Meeting should be held at the Raffles Library on Thursday 28th February 1878, when the President would read his Inaugural Address. THurspay, THE 28TH Fepruary, 1878. Members of the Council Present. Ven. Archdeacon G. F. Hose. President. J. D. Vaughan Esq., Vice President for Singapore. The How’ble C. J. Irving, Honry. Treasurer. N. B. Dennys Esq. Ph. D. Honry. Secretary. The Hon’ble J. Douglas, C. M. G. Ernest Bieber, Esq. L. L. D. A. M. Skinner, ,, E. Koek, ne J. Miller, - The Minutes of the last Meeting were read and confirmed. On the recommendation of the Council 35 gentlemen were elected Members of the Society. The President proposed that Mr. M. Maclay, the distin- vuished Russian Traveller, who was at present residing in the Settlement, and who, as was well known, had extensively explor ed the Malav Pentheuls and the coasts of New Guinea, should be elected an Honorary Member of the Society. The proposition was seconded by Mr. Skinner, and was carried unanimously. The Ven. Archdeacon Hose delivered his Inaugural Address, as President of the Society, see page 1. Mr. Skinner, at the request of the President, exhibited a sketch Map of the Malay Peninsula on a large scale, which is being gra- dually filled in as surveys are made or as information is otherwise received; and drew attention to the great extent to which the Peninsula still remained unexplored, even after all the recent ac- ditions that had been made to our knowledge. The Honorary Secretary read a paper on “ the Breeding Pearls of Borneo” (see page 34) and exhibited Specimens. The Howble Mr. Douglas moved that a vote of thanks be given to the President for his valuable and interesting address. This was cordially agreed to: and after a few words phabloiore ledgement from the President, the Meeting separated. ¥1 PROCEEDINGS. Monpay, THE Ist Aprit, 1878. Members of the Council present : The Ven. Archdeacon Hose. President. J. D. Vaughan, Esq., Vice. President for Singapore. N. B. Dennys, Esq., Ph. D. Honry. Secretary. Hon. J. Douglas, Esq., C. M. G. A. M. Skinner, Esq. KE. Bieber, Esq., L. L. D. The Minutes of the last Meeting were read and confirmed. On the recommendation of the Council 23 Gentlemen were elected Members of the Society. | The Honorary Secretary Dr. N. B. Dennys drew attention to the circumstances under which he had accepted, as a temporary arrangement, the office of Honorary Secretary to the Society ; and proposed that the office should now devolve upon Mr. A. M. Skinner in accordance with the arrange- ment which had been contemplated at the time. Mr. Skinner expressed his willingness to undertake the duties, and the change was agreed to. : Mr. J. D. Vaughan read a paper on “ The Chinese in Sin- gapore. Some discussion ensued in which Dr. Dennys, Mr. Dovglas, and the Chairman successively took part. Monpay, tHE 6TH May, 1878. Members of the Counci! present. The Ven. Archdeacon Hose, President. J. D. Vaughan, Esq. Vice President for Singapore. Hon. C. J. Irving. Honry. Treasurer. A. M. Skinner, Esq. Honry. Secretary. Hon. J. Douglas, C. M. G. E. Bieber, Esq. L. L. D. N. B. Dennys, Esq. Ph. D. E. Koek, Esq. The Minutes of the last Meeting were read and confirmed. On the recommendation of the Couneil 9 Gentlemen were elected Members of the Society. The President communicated to the Meeting the substance of a letter received from the Royal Asiatic Society, in which that Society agreed to the affihation of the Straits Asiatic Society as a Branch, and undertook to exchange publications: PROCEEDINGS. VL It was resolved, that the full name of the Straits Asiatic Society shall henceforth be changed to the “ Straits Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society. ” It was resolved, that it shall be a rule of the Sais to request the Governor of the Straits Settlements, for the time being, to be Patron of the Society and that His Excellency Sir W. F. C. Robinson be invited to accept that office. A paper on the origin of the Chinese Triad Societies was read by W. A. Pickering, Esq. A conversation upon the actual position and practise of the Tan Tae Hoey in the Straits followed. The Hon. Secretary then read a paper of Mr. N. Maclay’s upon, “The Dialects of the Melanesian tribes in the Malay Peninsula.” This gave rise to a discussion upon the identity of the abort- ginal races in the North and South of the Peninsula, and the marks of their connection with other Asiatie races to be found in their Janguage, physical peculiarities, &c., and a proposal was made by Hon’ble J. Douglas, and heartily agreed to, that the other Branches of the Royal Asiatic Society in the East should be asked to assist this Branch in collecting Vocabularies and otherwise throwing light on this subject. At the Monthly General Meeting of the Straits’ Asiatic So- ciety held on Monday evening the 5rd June there were pre- sent, of the Council, Archdeacon Hose, (President), Mr. A. M. ‘Skinner, (Honry. Secretary), Dr. Bieber and Messrs. Miller and Koek; besides 85 members and visitors. Messrs. Tolson and Schomburgk Syeds Mahomed bin Ahmed, and Abu Bakar bin Omar, and Inches Mahomed Seyd, Ibrahim and Mahomed bin Maboob were elected Members. It was announced that H. | the Governor had accepted the office of Patron to the Society. The President then read extracts from M. Maclay’s paper on the wild Tribes of the Peninsula, translated from the German. The Honry. Secretary (Mr. Skinner) then read a paper fur- nished by W. E. Maxwell, Esq., Assistant Resident of Perak, on the Proverbs of the Malays, exclusive of those to be found in the works of Klinkert, Favre and Marsden; Dr. Dennys’ paper ou the Snake-eating Serpent (Ophiophagus Elaps) of Singapore, was read by the President, in the unavoidable absence of Dr. Dennys. In the course of the proceedings, it was stated that the Journal is almost ready for publication. The Meeting then adjourned to the date of its next regular meeting, the Ist July. wy) PROCEEDINGS. ; RULES OF THE Straits Brancu or THE Roya Asiatic Socrery. I.—Name and Objects. 1. The Name of the Society shall be “Tue Srraits Asiatic Socrery.” . i 2. The Objects of the Society shall be— a. The investigation of subjects connected with the Straits of Malacca and the neighbouring: Countries. . The publication of papers in a Journal. ce. The formation of a Library of books bearing on the objects of the Society. U1.—Membership. ’, Members shall be classed as Ordinary and Honorary. 4. Ordinary Members shall pay an annual subscription of $6, payable in advance on the lst January of each year. 5. Honorary Members shall pay no subscription. 6. On or about the 30th June of every year, the Hon. Trea- surer shall prepare a list of those Members whose subscriptions for the current year remain unpaid, and such persons shall be deemed to have resigned their Membership. But the operation of this rule, in any particular case, may be suspended by a vote of the Council of the Society. 7. Candidates for Membership shall apply ww writing to the Secretary, and if approved of by the Council shall be recom- mended by them to the Society at a General Meeting, and if accepted by two thirds of the members present, shall be deemed duly elected. S. Honorary Members must be proposed for election by the Council at a General Meeting of the Society. PROCEEDINGS. (xX ({1.—Officers. 9, The Officers of the Society shall be— A President, 2 Vice-President, one of whom shall be selected from amongst the members resident in Penang. An Honorary Secretary and Librarian. An Honorary Treasurer, And five Councillors. ‘Those officers shall hold Office until their successors are chosen. 10. Vacancies in the above offices shall be filled for the cur- rent year by a vote of the remaining Officers. 1 Council: il. The Council of the Society shall be composed of the Off- cers for the current year, and its duties shall be— a. To administer the affairs, property and trusts of the Society. 6. ‘To recommend members for election by the Society. c. ‘lo decide on the eligibility of papers to be real before general mectings. d. ‘to select papers for publication in the Journal, and to supervise the printing and distribution of the said Journal. e. ‘To select and purchase books, for the Library, J. To accept or decline donations on behalf of the Society. To present to the Annual Meeting at the expiration of their term of office a Report of the proceedings and condition of the Society. 12. The Council shall meet for the transaction of business once a month, or oftener if necessary. At Council meetings five Officers shall constitute a quorum. 13. The Council shall have authority, subject to confirmation by a general meeting, tc make and enforce such bye-laws and regulations for the proper conduct of the Society’s affairs as may from time to time be expedient. x } PROCEEDINGS. V.—Meetings. 14, The Annual General Meeting shall be held in January of each year. 15. General Meetings shall be held, when practicable, once ~ in every month, and oftener if expedient, at such hour as the Council may appoint. 16, At Meetings-of the Society eleven members shall form a quorum for the transaction of business. 17. Atall Meetings, the Chairman shall, in case of an equality of votes, be entitled to a casting vote in addition to his own. 18. Atthe Annual General Meeting, the Council shall present .a Report for the preceding year, and the Treasurer shall render an account of the financial con ! ition of the Society. Officers for the current year shall also be chosen. 19. The work of Ordinary General Meetings shall be the transaction of routine business, the reading of papers approved by the Council, and the discussion of topics connected with the general objects of the Society. 20. Notice of the sabjects intended to be introduced for dis- cussion by any member of the Society should be handed in to the Secretary before the Meeting. Visitors may be admitted to the Meetings of the Society, but no one who is not a member shall be allowed to address the Meeting except by invitation or permission of the Chairman. VI.—Publications of the Society. 21. ©> @) => Uu j | | { | a.| |As the e in Their sound in English. | Soprano Diploma Fete 'Ten Pique Tin Those Proportion | Truth | Full “ lateral” ‘ considerable” Faust (as in German ) Examples in Malay. | | lama, kepala ‘The second ¢ in makan | Pérak, kréta -sendok, preksa tidor, pisau pintu, bintang | -korek, tolak tongkat, sarong baka, gart itumbok, tunjuk _kébuan, pérampian, péng- | lima, bétul bakau, kérbau with the sound of xzow “Height The presence of ‘é (ain.) dot indicates the ‘Stugei, big ei MALAY AND ENGLISH SPELLING. 49 Il. Tue Consonants. 10. A table of Consonants is given below with their respec- tive sounds, and their Malay equivalents. It will be observed that “c,”“g” soft, and“q” are omitted, and they should never be employed in writing Oriental languages in Roman characters, as their sound is better represented by “s,” “j,” ‘k,” respectively, and the use of them has led to strange mistakes. An instance of this is the name of Kedah, which having been spelt ‘“‘ Quedah, ” has come to be pronounced “ Kwidah.” 11. It is important to remember that whenever the letters “ng” occur together they represent one letter only, and that letter has uniformly the sound of “ xg” in “ singing,” not that of “ng” either in “ single” or in “ singed.” Whenever it is in- tended that the ‘ g” should be sounded) hard, as in “ single,” the word must be ae with a second fly ” as “Stanggoh” “Trengganu.” The letters “w” and “y” are only used as Consonants. 12. The final “ 4” in Malay words is usually silent 1a the Straits Settlements and the Malay Peninsula; or rather it is only partially sounded, being begun and then stopped suddenly. 13. The apostrophe (’) represents the Malay mark “ hamza” (’). When it occurs in the middle of a word, as in “sa’orang,”’ it serves as a mark of separation between syllables; at the end of a word it has the same effect as the final “ 4.” 14. Some of the Consonants are written, like the vowels re- presenting = (ain), with a dot beneath. This is the case where two or more letters in the Malay Alphabet are represented by one Roman character. Almost all the characters bearing this mark are confined to words of Arabic origin, such as a certain number of proper names, and words connected with Religion. Their use therefore will be limited, the great bulk of words in the Malay language being written in the simpler characters. 15. Wecan now give the table of Consonants which will actually be used. Whenever nothing is said respecting pronun- ciation the letter has the ordinary English sound. 50 MACAY AND ENGLISH SPELLING. TABLE OF CONSONANTS. Consonants. Ropro btg ee a So poe ~ ou eo oct 5 Bq g N | Pronunciation. as in “church ” as in “day” often sounded like “ p always hard as in “ gain” PP) as In joy” H Like “ ch” in “loch” 1 Kh” dione l | as 1 in “ Singing” | j soft, tip of tongue against teeth as in “ thick” as ‘ni’ in “ Spaniard” effect as final &. 'In the middle of a word it marks the’ division of syllables as in sa’orang: at the end of a word it has the ane } Malay name. Ba Cha Dal Fa Ga Ha Jim Kaf Kha Ghain Lam Mim Nan Nga Pa Ra Sim Shim Ta Tha Wau Ya Nya La Hamza. MALAY AND ENGLISH SPELLING. - Te 16. The following Arabic consonants marked with a dot beneath, occur occasionally aud must also be borne in mind :— ce . Consonants. Pronunciation. (Malay name. d Hard Da h in back of throat Ha Hard K. When used at the end of a k word it is only partially sounded Kof : being begun and then suddenly | | stopped. 1 Like Welsh Ll. La S Hard like ss. Sod. t Hard against roof of mouth fee La th as in “ this’ | Tha Z Za 17. * A list of proper names is attached, carefully spelt ac- eording to the system here recommended. H. A. K. WHampoa. G. F. Hose. W. A. PIcKERING. A. M. SKINNER. D. F. A. Hervey. [* This list is too lengthy to be published in this Journal, but copies of it ean be obtained at the Colonial Secretary’s Office. ] ; G HOG KAP ae ¥ OF THE MALAY PENINSULA. By Mr. A. M. Sxryner. PART I—cARTOGRAPHY. fiead at a Meeting of the Socrety held on the 8th July (see also p.5) Some of the most interesting and valuable contributions to the Journal of the Indian Archipelago, more especially during the earlier numbers were upon the Geography of the Peninsula. Mr. Logan himself frequently returned to the subject during the years 1846-53. Those papers contain a fund of minute topographieal details, the itineraries of at least six important journeys in the interior, and, in short, much of the rough material for a Map of the districts which he nearest to our Settlements. To a fuller consideration of these records I will presently return; but first as to the Maps of the Peninsula. Unfortunately at that period of activity no such Map was compiled. Prior to Sir A. Clark’s time, as far as I can discover, but one official map was produeed— if a mere outline sketch can be so called. This was first pub- hshed in 1862, apparently for the use of the Political Depart- ment of the Indian Government in connection with the publi- cation of the “ Treaties and Sunnuds (1863.)” It is now better known as the map bound up with our first Colonial Blue-Book (C.—465,1872) on the Selangor bombardment. Mr. Moniot, at that time Surveyor General of the Straits, prepared it; but he made little or no use of the information obtained ten years before. I was puzzled at first to discover what guide he had fol- lowed on the subject, much of the detail in his sketch being in express contradiction not only to that collected by Logan, “but also to the notorious facts of the case. I think I have now discovered the original in an old Dutch Map of Sumatra, the Peninsula and the Straits of Rio, stowed away in the Survey Office, and bearing two dates, 1820 for the Straits of Rio, and 1835 for Sumatra. There is nothing to show to what date the “ Peninsula” portion of it should be referred; but it may * It was my intention, to have dealt with the whole subject in a single paper, but so much fresh information is being collected in various quarters that I find it advisable to postpone dealing with the Geographical details till the next number.—A. M. S. Ce ME EN RR OT Ut a el A <3 rare ee \? f a ‘) { re te ame oe vane mk mae tmasone yeaa oe Ne RN A Ase ot Hee ene eve C7 ie socal a rea pee hs a REL a Sa aS rats Maes eters EAA COR AY WIRE ET * So Me en tiy mare ens raha Tevet om A LOE NOOL AATROR EE ALOE AIRTP OTT SH BAO UOFEE TED NERO satan meinen. ponerse ee LAG DIE LO LOE ILL CEE, A cr toed pe Lah eae ome SALE POO" Vea eae SANSPANTSPR LO Nem A ANN PI 1 wh a na A hI oh Sad nes NGANU he ith irs RAK Gite oo ie Dara ‘ Piutiolnd ytrraty with Foe \ ¢ ay e iy ti Dentarg. Vindiniy LG "% K 1M ar MAN ive Vatox Thabe Ane xX wet MOS &S ‘. PERAK R “af 4 ve \ ISS; Fer Wyn "iy dS) pis SS P Seva orckitl 5) ge" Te c fo) A %, P.Katlonsy EE Nes ds Puma KAU LANGihe Bevbale LEP Haran, any “Srimaea Lighk vessels ui Sone ty Write Me BYis7 5 (AH fe {\ Broke MN, Coyre Lertetle ©. e@ Jomranan je se epe qsegesrecemmessesoeroan eee Te. WuaIferred by Mohamed. [salkak Gurveyer Gtrirrals Our 174 TH eS See ; S ae HE ; ee es MALAYAN PENINSULA uy. ¢ “an ir from afampuation ‘by (Tl Mo ule Metta, ; ee SurveyorGeneral of theStr ails Setements = Mp: wig 1862 — 5s CBs tt ties iS Scale bb. Miles to T inet : es Rd & S > Ln © = °F ND TAS REE RS ET Re PS ES iatieenal 0 Dy @ T¢ i Senile Searels ga Saget eh ADI ace fea MAORI ay, Pe ive ats hee ue FaMaAN- on PATANI mit Ref ancra eae ©: 9" Pie ahead iet athe rAA ak of the MALA Yi PENINSULA Mane GEOGRAPHY. 53 be gathered, from the boundaries assigned to Province Wellesley, that it was compiled by the Dutch authorities between 1800 and 1828—probably during their brief re-oceupation of Malacca. This map is almost exactly reproduced, though on a smaller scale and with fewer particulars, by that to which Mr. Moniot’s name is attached ; a fact which will sufficiently indicate how inade- quate such a sketch must be at the present time. But it was not till after the Perak War (June 1876) that any better, or in- deed any other map of the whole Peninsula was to be obtamed ; and I have therefore had a copy made of it, as well as a copy reduced to the same scale from the large map now under prepar- ation. I had mtended to contrast them in one and the same sketch ; but on second thoughts it will be simpler to keep them separate; and the later, and certainly more correct map, though too small to give many names, may perhaps be useful for reference. It marks roughly the outlines of the Malay States, the mountain-chains, and the river systems, as known up to the present time (1878) ; and also the routes of the principal journeys in the interior of which we have any record. Having described at some length the only official map published during the ninety years our Government had been paramount the Straits, prior to Sir A Clarke’s intervention in the Native States of the Peninsula, I may here refer more briefly to what has been done since that time. Immediately after the Pangkor Treaty (January 1874) a party explored the route from Larut to Kwala Kangsa, and thence down the R. Perak to the sea. This may be considered the key to the geography of Perak in the Vort/, just as the common source of the R. Muar and the southern branch of the R. Pahang is the key to the geography of the South of the Peninsula, and the knowledge of the country be- tween the Northern branch of the R. Pahang and the R. Kelantan, is the key to the geography of the /uterior of the Peninsula. On both these latter districts much hght was thrown in 1875 by the journeys of Messrs. O’Brien and Daly and M. de Mikluho-Maclay respectively. Thus within 18 months of the Pangkor Treaty, our Government had obtained more important information than had been collected during the ninety years prior to that event. I will refer to these journeys at greater length presently ; I only mention them here in explanation of the two ofticial maps published in 1876, which mark a great advance in our knowledge of the country. The first in point of date, and, strange to say, the most accurate in every respect, is one which apparently owed its existence to the Perak war. It was publish- ed by the Home Authorities in Blue-Book C. 1512 (June 1876) and was “compiled from sketch surveys made by Capt. Innes, 4 GEOGRAPHY. or n.u., Mr. J. W. Birch and Mr. Daly”—seale 15 miles to 1 inch; and it was “Tithd. at the Qr. Mr. Genl’s Dept. under the direction of Lt.-Col. R. Home c. 3. r.8.” It is much to be regretted that no separate copies of this excellent map were procured. The similar but less correct map published on the part of the local Government, and received out here towards the nd of 1876, met with a rapid sale, the whole issue having long since been disposed of. Many applications have been made in vain for further copies, especially during the present year ; and I feel ttle doubt that, apart from the erying want of a good map on a large scale for educational purposes, there will be nu- merous private purchasers to recoup any expenses of-publica- tion which may thus be incurred by Government, or by the Society 1f disposed to venture on such an undertaking. And even if copies could still be procured of either map of 1876 T should recommend a re-publication; so many of the inaecuracies having now been corrected, and no small portion of the blank spaces having been filled in with fresh particulars. Before I turn to the explorations, extending over a period of half a century (1825-75), to which such knowledge of the Pe- ninsula as we possess is mainly due, I will briefly refer to the charts of the old Navigators, so far as I know them. But I must here state that our Raffles Library is extremely deficient in old “Travels,” andthat I cannot hope to give anything like a com- plete view of the growth of our knowledge. The earliest ac- counts of the Peninsula, as a whole and accompanied with Maps, are those of the French traveller de ia Loubére, and the English navigator Captain Dampier,* who appear to have been in these parts at the same time (1686), though without meeting or even hearing of each other. I have not succeeded in finding a copy of Loubére’s Map, but Major McNair, who saw a copy in Eng- land, thus refers to it 1n his book “ Sarong and Kris” (p.545) :— “In De La Loubére’s book is a quaint but very correct Map of the Malayan Peninsula, prepared by M. Cassim, the Director of the Observatory of Paris in 1688, from which is gathered the fact that Perak then continued to be looked upon as second only to Malacca on the Western coast. The River Perak is not very correct im its representation, beg made more to resemble * Our English Cosmographer Hakluyt, who, like Barros, never travelled himself but devoted his life to promoting the discovery of unknown lands, was probably the first Englishman to map out the Straits in his “ very rare Map” of 1599, a copy of which is in the British Museum. In the second volume of “ Navigations,” published the same year, he refers to “ the isles of Nicubar, Gomes Polo, and Pulo Pinaom “ (Pinang ?) to the maine land of Malacea, and to the kingdom of Junsalaon.” (Jurk Ceylcn ?) GHOGKAPHY. 55 a tidal creek. This is doubtless due to the information received that the rivers to the north joined the Perak, which, in the ease of the Juru Mas and the Bruas, is very nearly correct.” In Dampier’s Voyages (Ed. London, 1729) I find three sketches of the Peninsula. ‘Two of these (vols. I and III) are introduced in veneral maps. But the sketch in vol. II is on a larger scale and is confined to the Straits. It is curious that while both the former represent the Peninsula as widening towards Malacca and Johor, the latter, though ten years earlier in date than the | map in volume III, yet gives its true shape. But the names on this sketch are most perplexing, there being indeed but five that can be safely identified,—f. of Quedah, R. of Johore (the only Native States shewn) Malacca, R. Formosa und Straights of Singapore (round St. John’s). The R. Perak is marked, without being named, as a great estuary some 5 or 6 miles wide, running: for a distance of 30 miles N. E., with islands lying in it of a larger size than Penang and the Dindings. It may be conjectured that this is intended to represent the whole water- system, including R. Kinta and Batang Padang. There is also the same confusion with regard to a supposed connection between the R. Perak and the rivers to the North, that Major McNair noticed im Loubeére’s map; the river Sozgi-4acoas (Baroas 7) -is represented as jJomimg the Perak about 30 miles from the sea. The later Dutch map, already referred to, makes the same mistake, probably through copying these older maps. It is at the same time poscible that the Brvas was once connected, artificially or naturally, with the R. Perak; and this supposition is to some extent supported by the unusual quantity of mud silted at the “ Kwala” of that river, which is out of all proportion to tke size of the present stream ef the Bruas. It is more probable however that the supposed junction of the Perak and Bruas was intended to represent the old connection between Larut and Kwala Kangsa; as represented in the map I come to next, that of the R. Perak by Captain Forrest compiled from his own surveys 100 years later, in 1783, (voyage to the Mergui Archipelago, London 1792.) This tracing gives the lower part of the river very correctly. Col. Low who was sent to Perak on a political mission in 1826 acknowledges that it was by the help of this chart alone that H.M.S. “ Antelope,” 20 guns, got into the river (I. A. Journal vol. IV. p. 499). Above the Dutch Factory, which Capt. Forrest refers to as being “ re-established” at Tanjong Putus, the plan of the river gets much confused. This portion of the journey was per- formed ‘in a country covered boat m which the writer went up “to pay his respects to the King of Perak ;” and from this point Capt. Forrest evidently found it more difficult to take correct ob- servations. He seems to have met the King at Sayong, unless he 56 GEOGRAPHY. has mistaken the situation of K. Kang'sa, which he writes “ Qualo Consow,” and marks as an extensive tributary having at two days’ distance a “Carrying Place one day by land to Larut River.” IT am inclined to think there has in fact been some confusion between this supposed tributary, and the bend to the North which the main stream takes near this point. If this surmise is correct the residence of ‘the King” was probably at Alahan, where Col. Low found the Court 43 years later. The only name given in its vicinity is Rantau Panjang, probably Pasir Pan- jang. But this tracing of Perak, before the Siamese invasion, is so interesting that I have had it copied, and readers can form their own Judgments on these points. It will be seen that the lower part of the river is given very correctly, and that most- of the names can be identified. All reference to the Bruas, as connected with Ulu Perak, has now disappeared ; and it is curious that the mistake, as it undoubtedly was then, should have re- appeared many years later in the Dutch Maps already referred to. Mr. Momot might have have been warned by this to distrust so unsafe a guide. Col. Low, it may be remarked, also overlooks the importance of this portion of Forrest’s sketch. The only reference he makes to the route from Kwala Kangsa to the sea is in the following passage from his account of Ulu Perak as “ described to me by Natives, and by the Chinese ;” “From Quallah Kangsan there is an elephant road to “Trong. ‘The first March is to Padang Assun. The second to “ Pondok, chiefly across rice grounds. Here the population “may be rated at 1,000.” It is possible that Col. Low. here speaks of the Kwala Kangsa, which he has referred to Just before as near Kendrong; and that there is some confusion between the Trong near Larut and the Trong to the north of Kedah. Between the date of Capt. Forrest’s engraving (published in 1792) and Mr. Moniot’s (published in 1862), no map with which the Malay Geography is specially concerned was published. There are however two M. 8S. drawings to speak of, Low’s and Burney’s, which have also been preserved in the Survey Office, originally at Penang and of late years at Singapore. ‘The for- mer bears date 1824; the latter 1s undated, but was probably compiled at the time Captain Burney negotiated the Siamese Treaty of 1826. Col. (then Lt.) Low confined his sketch almost entirely to the northern provinces of Siam. Captain Burney’s tracing includes Kedah, Singora, and Patani; and the care with which he compiled it may be gathered from the “ memorandum” at the side, from which I quote the following passage :— - Hes a a i ae ~ e Ce dl as Ae me PLAN of PERA RIVER P? DINGDING and reSAMIBELONG(Q) Lflande ' by Cat Thorrus Fors-eft fer f# we 7 gay J, pe | Fiubo Zieh our VO Low Gunory Guntoreg or SHlarg izy TO. i 20 go Bransterr ed by Moharnd Is chat Surveyor Generwl3 ACE 1a78 if? ae s Px: i” v poe ae aE a ae ee 4 a A oe ” ss #9 iy oe ef ge samy pou” 12 by te on Kh wen, wo” ¥ a0 eb je (BGS) quae ye 49 RY Rte Broan Teles, Poreceae, Taryang Pus or brakerezroune a F WheretheDolrh Furto 7 tS yor of of Dara Sarr, Paloy Busia PE RS) RE. Sant, al high waler, Keep o; Wie ST site Te Ps — Ona ree LD. WE Capt sy ve ip) Lf Sekine y ‘ 8 % [tele T; 9 > cA SCT A SEs SB ft, noes ee 79 “ u High Hammock 20 wa 22 ze ed : 2s R ize selfZong 7483 5 20 22, 9 * 40 Shm | F fy << LN whly Rock tule cauvaler ts SS Gull, Mack Reck Arye Ge 419 Wiles GEOGRAPHY. 5ST “The Coast and Islands between Pah Phra and Prince of ““Wales’ Island are set down after comparing Horsburgh’s, “ Forrest’s, Blair’s, Heather’s, Inverarity’s, Martin Lindsay’s “and Dupres de Mennevillete’s Charts with maps and descrip- “tions obtained from several Malayan and Siamese Pilots, as “well as with what was observed by ourselves during our pas- “sage to and from Pungah. Of all the Europeau Chartss the two “oldest, Duprés de Mannevillite’s and Martin Lindsay’s, appear “}y far the most correct. Some information also respecting “the towns on the Gulf of Siam and the country round Pungah, “was received from Padre Juan, a Native Catholic Priest “residing near that town; and it is but ju-t to acknow- “ledge that very great assistance was derived during the pro- “ oress of the Mii ceaon, from the descriptive sketch of the Malayan < Peninsula compiled by Mr. John Anderson, Malay translator “to Government.” What Capt. Burney says about the superior correctness of th e older charts, now helds good about the older maps; for nothing has been produced since his date that can vie with his own sketch in practical usefulness or careful execution. Indeed the old Navigators, the Dampiers and Forrests of the 17th and [Sth centuries, appear to have been succeeded of late years by the Indian Officers, until recently stationed or employed in these parts,—Col. Low, Capts. Burney, Newbold, Begbie, &c.,—to whose eagerness for knowledge we owe so much of the little in- formation we possess about the Malay Peninsula. From the time when Logan’s Journals ceased to appear a long night settled down upon the Straits, lasting some twenty years. It is difficult for those who were not here before 1874 to realise how little was then known of the Peninsula. Kwala Kangsa and Selama were names unknown ; 8. Ujong and Sri Menanti were little better; Muar, Birnam, Perak, and Kurau could not then be named without an affectation of special, not to say pe- dantic knowledge. I do not believe that any person then knew of the true course of the R. Perak, or of the short route from Larut to Ulu Perak, which I have already called the key to the geography of that part; and as to which it has been seen that Captain Forrest ninety years before had possessed some informa- tion. But within two years of the Pangkor Treaty, thanks to Sir A. Clarke’s initiative and the development of events, this state of things was entirely changed. Information had been collected in many districts. The journey from Larut to Perak, and down the latter river, which was performed in 1874 by Messrs. Dunlop, Swettenham and Pickering, effected for DS GEOGRAPHY. that part of the Peninsula, what the Journey by Messrs. Daly and O’Brien, up the Muar and down the Pahang, effected for the true understanding of the relations, whether physieal or political, which exist between the States of Johor, Pahang, and the Negri Sembilan, in the South of the Peninsula. The journey of M. de Maclay in 1875 must also he mentioned, as throwing hght on the unknown Central regions. Of these three jour- neys, so important to our Cartography, some record should here be made; more especially as no account of them has ever been published in a permanent or generally accessible form. I have therefore selected the most striking feature of each account to conclude this paper. But it would be invidious not to refer also to certain earlier journeys, viz: that of Mr. Charles Gray (vid Malacca, Naning, Jumpol and Pahang in 1825, I. A. Journal vol. VI, p. 369) ; of Mr. Logan (vi4 Singapore, Indau, Semrong, Blumut, and Johor in 1547, I. A. Journal I, p. 616) ; and of the Rev. Le Favre (via Johor, Benut, and Batu Pahat in 1846; and again via Malacca, Rambau, Sungei-Ujong and Jelebu in 1847, I. A. Journal robs. «1, & 11). I hope to avail myself largely of these accounts in Part IIT of this paper, when I treat of the geography of each State; but it is the less necessary to quote from them here, as they are alr eady preserved 1n an accessible form. IT will however take this opportunity of recommending their careful perusal to all those who are good enough*to assist in rendering our new map more complete. I find that a good deal of the information furnished from time to time obvi- ously lacks the advantage of having undergone comparison with the local details collected by parle Hes. and this is a grave loss when the writers are such as ’abbé Favre, and the he Mr. Logan. I. (Extract from the Journal of Messrs. Danlop, Swettenham and Pickering, during the crossing >is Larut to K. Kangsa February 12, 1874.) « We started at 1.30 p.m.and within half an hour, got into the finest jungle we have yet seen, crossed incessantly by a beauti- ful clear stream. This jungle was filled with the brightest scarlet and yellow tlowers ; there were numbers of érchade Af- ter continually ascending till we came to the source of the stream, we began to descend again, following the course of another stream ranning in the opposite direction. All this time we had been going through a narrow valley, Bukit Berapit formmg one side of it, and as we came out into the open, we stood in front of one of the most extraordinary rocks I have ever seen, called Gunone: Pondok. Or ees ~ GEOGRAPHY. “We had just come out of a narrow valley, filled with dense jungle and not very high hills on each side. ‘Coming out of this; the valley now lev el and comparatively clear, widened out abrupt- ly, so that it became an extensive plain. Close in front of us, rather on the left, rose as it were straight out of a plain as level as the sea, a large rock, some S00 feet “high, partly covered with trees, partly bare rock in sheer precipices.” of that race; but on close inspection be bore all the evidences of his extraction, and especially that restlessness of the eye which, as I said before, is so sure a sign of the de- nizon of the forest. Amongst his followers were two Bro- thers, named Gading (or Joory) and Buloo (Bamboo) whose ay- pearance struck me very much. About twenty-three and twenty- five years of age respectively, these men were perfect specimens of manhood. Five feet ten or eleven in height, their limbs were symmetrical to a degree; their features, finely cut and intelli- gent, were positively good ; their bodies, perfectly formed, ren- dered their movements particularly graceful, and I must admit to being envious of their fine proportions and “ general air of “ robust health. They were a kind of body guard of their Datu, “and he was evidently proud of them, and justly so.” Some interesting particulars, though with fewer details, have also been published in the Official Reports of Mr. Swettenham (April 1875), who encountered some tribes of the Sakei in Ulu Slim; Mr. Daly who came across them in the upper part of the Ulu Perak (June 1875) ; and Captain Speedy who encountered other tribes shortly afterwards in the Bidor district, nearly 100 miles off. 114, MISCRLLANEOUS NOTICES. ANTIQUITIES OF Province WELLESLEY. Col. James Low, who was for many years Superintendent in charge of Province Wellesley, makes the following reference to this subject in his “ Dissertation on the soil and agriculture of Penang and Province Wellesley,” published in Singapore in 1836. “While employed several years ago in exploring the ruins of “an ancient Boudhist temple in Province Wellesley,—an account “of which I have promised to the Asiatic Society of Caleutta—I “obtamed a small coffee-pot which had been carefully built up “with bricks at the depth of four or five feet. The lid was firm- “ly baked, but on being handled, the vessel crumbled, nearly to ““ pieces—within it was found the figure of a fowl constructed of “thin silver wire, which also fell to pieces on being handled. “But the bill and feet were perfect, bring made of an alloyed “metal, chiefly gold.” The writer gives no clue as to the whereabouts of this ancient Buddhist temple, but I imagine it to have been one of those sin- gular mounds of shells which are to be met with in the north of Province Wellesley not far from the Muda river. They are com- posed of sea-shells of the kind called 4epah and karang (cockles) by the Malays, though they are situated at some distance from the sea. No otber shells of the kind are to be found near the place, I believe. I have been told by Malays in Province Wel- lesley that one of these mounds was opened and explored by Col. Low. If the others, left perfect by him, have escaped destrue- tion at the hands of Chinese limeburners, they will probably be worth examination and description. ‘“ Goa kepah” ( shell- cave), a place in the neighbourhood, no doubt takes its name from these mounds. I do not know if Col. Low carried out his intention of describing the results of his exploration. I have searched through the only volumes of the proceedings of the Asiatic Society of Calcutta to which I have access (vols. I, Il and IT].), but I have found no paper on the subject. At the foot of Bukit Mertajam, on the South side. there is a block of granite on which some rude characters have’ been traced. The Malays eall it datu surat, the rock of the writing. I believe that the inscription has never been deciphered and that the cha- racter has not been .identified. When I saw it last (in 1874), it was difficult in places to detect the ancient mscription on the rugged face of the rock, its faint lines contrasting strangely with the deeply-cut- initials of Col. Low on the same boulder. W. HE. M. MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES. 115 ToBa,—SUMATRA. From a detailed description of High Toba, in the Batak Country, appearing in the Sumatra Courant of the 4th April, the following particulars were recently translated in the Straits Times. Since the Military operations of the Dutch from Sing- kel, some accurate information has, for the first time, been ob-. tained regarding these interesting districts, hitherto a feria in- cognita even to the Dutch themselves. “ High Toba, which is at present so much talked of on the coasts, is a table land, situated between the 2nd and 5rd degrees of North Latitude and between the 98th and 99th degrees of East Longitude from Greenwich. It is generally an extensive steppe country covered almost every where with thickly grow- ing lallang and intersected by clefts from 200 to 300 rhine-land feet deep. Inthe plain the Tobanese cultivates dry rice and ubi. In tilling, he makes use of an efficient plough drawn by one or two buffaloes. In the clefts which usually abound in water, many promising Sawah fields are met with. Excepting maize, gambier, pisang, and some other fruits, no produce is, however, found, even fire wood is very scarce. Notwithstanding this scarcity the soil cannot be termed unfertile, it being almost every where covered with a thick layer of 4umus. But mutual divisions among the people and mutual hatred prevent joint efforts to irrigate the land by canals from the Batang Taro river which rises there. High Toba being about 3000 feet above the sea level, the temperature is very moderate and may sometimes be even termed cold. In the shade the thermometer barely rises to 20° Reaumur, and early in the morning it falls to 12° R. The populations of High Toba, who in manners, customs, several of their general laws, and certain pecularities of character form a whole, may be divided amongst inbabited places lying 1 to 2 hours from each other ; or if preferable, amongst districts eontaining 20, 30, or 40 villages close together. On the other _ hand, on the iss of the Toba lake, 1,000 villages containing 300, 000 souls at least can be seen at a glance. A traveller com- ing from the south can see the lake lying 1,500 to 2,000 feet below him, the panorama being an impressive one, assuredly too grand for cannibals like the Bataks. Even Switzerland with its- abundance of lakes need not be ashamed to include that blue mir- ror in its landscapes. The Toba lake is fed by a great number of streams which flow into it from all sides, chiefly from the north. It has a considerable outlet on the east. It lies from east to north west, being about 10 hours long and 4 broad, with a breath of 6 hours to the north west. In the middle there is, however, a 116 MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES. large and thickly peopled island. The prahw’s of the natives are made of long hollowed-out tree stems, provided on both sides with outriggers to keep the equilibrium. With there very heavy and unwieldy prahus manned by 200 to 300 men naval battles are sometimes fought. On the shores of the lake, which are as it were covered with villages, there are splendid terraces laid out into rice fields lying one above another. The villages are mostly well fortified and impregnable to a Batak enemy, but in con- structing them, cartouche, shot and shells have naturally not been thought of several are surrounded by walls 10 to 20 feet high which are often protected by ditches 20, 30, and even 40 feet deep. These ditches are flushed by the help of conduits, and, when the village is besieged, can again be filled with water. One village, so fortified, once held out against an enemy 10,000 strong. For greater security bastions are also built, surrounded by concealed pitfalls, razju’s, and such hike. Notwithstanding the great scarcity of wood, the houses and /anu’s (assembly houses ) are very strongly and elegantly built, the honour and riches of the natives consisting in them. We have already often mentioned that Toba is thickly peopled. Almost all the Batak- tribes hold that Toba is the cradle of their race. In the charac- ter of the people there is, however, something savage, something unbridled ; yes, something of the animal. ‘To those however, who can deal with them they are accessible, and suffer themselves to beled by them. Yet, in consequence of other circumstances, missionary work will be somewhat difficult there. In no case however will it be hopeless labour. Besides great riches and deep poverty, the most intense cunning, and credible narrow mindedness, we find there also the most disgusting deformities by the side of many slim muscular and well built forms. These contrasts are caused by the complete freedom of the one and the complete dependence and slavery of the other. “Let us look upon a genuine Tobanese. There he stands be- fore you with regular, large and well built figure, usually with significant and defiant looks. His clothing gives one at once a high opinion of his prosperity and princely descent. A durable garment, either black and white, or black and red, of the value of 4 to 6 Spanish dollars, is bound round the trips by a white girdie, and hangs down to his feet. Another garment as _ costly hangs over the shoulder. Both his ears are adorned with gold rings, and on his head he wears a white or red turoan. At feasts the latter is of silk, or he wears an ornamental string of pearls through his hair, which he allows to hang down in long plaits in war time; besides a copper pipe, worth 30 Spanish dollars. Tn Toba a tael of gold is worth 8 Spanish dollars. MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES. L17 “Tn terrible contrast with the dress of the;well-to-do, is the deep misery of the slaves. When these unfortunates become enslaved by usury and deceit, every measure is, generally speaking, taken to keep them in the lowest stage of poverty and want. In the possession of a great number of slaves consist, properly speak- ing, the wealth and the pride of a prosperous Tobanese. It is no rarity to find notables or headmen each possessing from 100 to 200 slaves, there being even families who possess as many as ten villages, all inhabited by slaves, who till the fields, build the villages, and serve as soldiers in the wars of their masters. We have still to name one pitiable class of men, namely the eunuchs who, however, save in Toba, are no lone- er found in the Batak country. Luckily they are few; they are used to accompany and attend upon women. For free people and headmen wives are very dear in Toba. In Silin- dong and Pangaloan, people pay 10 and more buffaloes for a young woman. In Toba the figure rises to 20 and 30, be- sides horses, gold, slaves, &c. In Toba alone the custom still _ prevails of keeping the skulls of deceased fathers aud grand- fathers. The dead man remains several years in a sopo, in a coffin closed with rosin, until the skull can at length be taken away without difficulty. On a suitable day the eldest son takes the skull of his father to the market place, shews it to the headmen present, while he gives away a cow for public use saying “Our tather wished once more to visit the market.” After this there follows a series of festivities in honour of the deceased, for which the whole family bring together 20 to 30 buffaloes to be slaughtered. During the festivities the skull is adorned with a silk turban and gold rings. The skull at length finds a resting place in the grave. On do- mestic occurrences, and in war time, the skull plays an important part, together with the spirit of the deceased. Should a skull be made away with, it is considered as foreboding ill-luck, and as being the greatest disgrace that can befall a family.” SIAMESE TITLEs. Tbe tollowing note is appended to Capt. Burney’s map of the Siamese Provinces (referred to at p. 57) and is no doubt in Capt. Burney’s handwriting. It was probably written in 1826, when the first Treaty with Siam was framed. It is of course as difficult to define the exact meaning: of Siamese Titles, as that of many English Titles and degrees of - rank, “ Chow is Lord and Master, and Chow Mooung Lord or Gover- 118 MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES. nor of a country. The Governor General of India is styled Chow Mooung Bengala; Khun is love and gratitude, and a Chief in conversation is styled, “ Chow Khun.” Thaw is just, so Chow | Than is atitle generally given to a chief. Pya, when added to the name of a country or town, signifies Governor, thus the Go- vernor of Penang is styled Pya Ko Mak, or the King of Kedah Pya Mooung Serai. The Siamese name of Kedah, Mooung Serav, is taken from Kedah Peak, which they call “ Khas Serai,”’ and the Malays “ Gunong Jerai” or “ Cherai.” “ Chow Pya” may be translated into Governor General, but it is a title also annexed to high offices near the sovereign, and particularly to chiefs nearly related to the Royal Family; thus the “‘ Kalahom” or commander in chief, and the “ Chakri,’ or Prime Minister are called “Chow Pya.” The former superintends the affairs of all Provinces to the South of Bangkok, and the latter, of all to the North of that city ; and to their affairs respectively the most minute reports are transmitted from every Province, from Sin- gora to Cheung Mai or Zemce. The present Minister for Foreign Affairs is a Pya, “ Pya Klang,” and being related to the Royal Family is often styled “Chow Pya.” He is said to be very friendly to the English: Prak, when annexed to a form or country, may be translated into Lieutenant Governor ; “ Luang” or “Chrom” to a Resident, and “ Mom” or “ Khom” to an officer in charge; much lower in rank “ Pya,” “ Prak,” &c., are also conferred as honorary titles on other public officers, and when annexed to a man’s name appear to correspond to Baronets, Knights &e. The late Mr. Light is said to have been made a « Prak” by the King of Siam. ‘‘ Punahua,” Loubere translates into “ Hua” (the head) of ‘‘Phan” (Thousands) ; but Iam told the title 1s derived from “‘ Phoh,” father, “ No” on, “ Hua” head, meaning “ I bear you as my father on my head” denoting the highese respect according to the custom of oriental nations. The Siamese generally affix the wood “ Phoh,” father, to the names of their chefs. The three sons of the Chow Pya of Ligor styled “ Phoh Kloom,” “ Phoh-Pho” and “ Phoh-Sing,” the last of which resembled so nearly the Malayan wood “ Poosing” deceitful, that the father on establishing that son at Kedah directed him to be always called by the Malayan title “ Baginda Muda,” or young Prince. The Siamese name for Singapore is “ Ko-mav” new Island.” ANNUAL ABSTRACT OF METEOR TT | Barometrical Readings Corrected | ! H and Reduced to 32>: or a x D = 2 he dA hilt Op 11e Monrus. |9 aA.m.3 P. M. 9 P. | Dry Wet Dry Inches Inches Inches Inches Tener SBP) aN | ae January ..|| 29.984 29.994 29.967 .081| 29.952 | 80.7, 75.4 83.1 February ...; .981 .884 .946 .089) .937)81.1), 75.9 83.8 March .| 952.843, 915 .109) 903 /82.3 76.3/84.7 April 915, .806, .886 .'09| .869) 84.9, 78.6 87.5 May ..| -.893° .800 .875 .096' .856| 84.7/ 79.2/ 86.6 June || .9388. 849.913.090.900 81.9. 77.6 84.0 July || .936| .859 .913 .078| .903,,82.0, 77.8) 83.7 August Tlie eon Sho). (O14 096) 2.917, 83.3 77.9) 86.0 September... 958, .854 .9384 .106, .915) 84.1! 78.1) 85.9 October 959 .855 937.104 .917/84.9| 78.3 83.8 November ...|| .940 .885 .928, .108) * .901/83. 9 78.1) 84.7 December ... 912 899 =.890 ~——-.108 870) 83. 2 77.9, 83.8. re eee ft eee meee cee ee een es | —_—_—'- Means . | 29.943 29.846 29.918 097 29. 903 ‘83. 7 77.6 84.9, Highest reading of Barometer during the year 30.0! Lowest do. do. 29.70 Highest Temperature Observed 92.5° Lowest do. do. 66. Singapore, Ist January, 1878. METEOROLOGICAL RETURNS, 1877. ANNUAL ABSTRACT OF METHOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS FOR THE YEAR 1877. SINGAPORH LAT 1 17’ N. LONG 103! 51” #. || Baxometrical Readings Corrected a ‘ | Self Registering Thermo- Rainfall in 24 Hours and Reduced to 32° F | HIXGROMETER: \ meters. (Gauge 2 feet from the ground. ) | | 2 | l= = - {iL : pees ee = | | | lz fe oes Rie ll eb pepe ; | :| | o } | | | 3a | 3 Gate MEGS el S| i Webs) sacl Ty Sell 8 — = | | | J@gi§ |eis|he jag) ee |es |) 8 es as ais! & | S | a il afig, AOR el |e ecmmeon ail ines €G | e5 | ge isos) g | hells eal | Ae leg 8 8 | 8 S3| 29 | eo] Fe) S48) 9.) 24 (Fea) & | | = | & | 9am | 8 ¥, a. 9 p.m. | Means. || 2 2 BSl1E gia 22/55 = S 2 | Bs | HS BS igs) wa il a | S| | ae AO) 3) S| aleal ee | ee ae | ge | sen) See ge) g z i | | 25 & S18 | 8 loa Of | solo | Fo] ea] da lem a) = mee 7 : | A | HI eR ta aey | — g Ea a | 2 4 & 5 ;a_ ) 22/5 i| 3 g x gi i= 4 5 | Mean direction of the Wind. MonrHs. 9 A... 3p. 1.9 P. Me. | [Dry Wet Dry Wet Dry Wet Su See ey 4 la, | > a Mia Sail =| = I — =f | | = } 4 ee Inches Inches Inches Tnenes| Inches] °F | °F] °F SH) ATEN) eee i Sym if Pa) Ste! | Grote Grab |) Sra [Inches|Inches Inches Tches Inches Tnehes|Inches Inches January «| 29.984 29.904 29.967 — .031) 29.952) 80.7, 75.4) 83.1 75.9) 75.5, 173. 4 7a 87. 151.0 66.8) 85.8 70.6 15.2) 78.2, 3.30| 4.03/ 2.61 3.08} 2.21 2.35) 2.89) N. BH. February 981, .884 .946 .089| .937 81.1, 79.9) 83.8 77.2) 78. 974.1 80. 3) es | 150.0 66.2) 86.9 70.9)16.0 78.9, 2.76) 5.54) 7.04) 7.38, 6.29) 5.21) 6.74) N. B. [S. W. during the day. March 952) +843, 915 109 .903 | 82.3, 76.3) 84.7) 77.7| 76.9) 74.9 81.3 76.3), 153.7 68.0) 87.6 72.1/15.5 79.9) 1.89 4.51) 478 5.10) 4.32) 7.3 6.01) N. B. Morning & Evening 8. BH. & April 915, .806 .886 . 09 .869)/ 84.9 78.6, 87.5) 78.8) 79.0| 76.7 83.8 78.0) 1£4.0 69.2) 89.5 73.3/16.2 81.4; 1.06) 1.15] 1.80, 2.42) 1.10) 1.55) 37) do. May 893.800.875.096) 856) 84.7) 79.2/ 86.6, 79.4) 80.6) 78.2 84.0 78.9) 151.9 71.3) 89.2 75.3) 13.9 82.2) 0.97! 4.83) 3.60 4.42) 4.23 5.09} 4.05, S. E. and $. W. June || .938 849 913.090, .900/ 81.9, 77.6) 84.0!78.1 72.5) 76.1 81.8)7.5) 1420 70.0 86.0 74.2 11.8 80.1! 1.04) 13.63) 13.68 13.10) 12.31) 3.41) a do. July j| .986) .859 .913 073) -903 | 82. 0) 77.8) 83-7 77.7 80.0! 77.0 81.9 77.5) 149.0 70.6 86.0 74.8), 11.2)80.4) 1.20) 5.78) 7.21 7.72) 6.82 (51) 5.70, do. August 951.855 914 .096, .917/83.3 77.9) 86.0 77.5| 80.7 76.5 83.3 77.3)| 150.0 72.7/87.6 76.4) 11.2)82.0 4.14) 3.73] 4.78 4.05) 3.94) 3.05) 4.0 |) do. September...) .958 834 934 106, .915/ 84.1) 78.1/85.9 77.5, 79.9 76.3 83.3 77.3|| 152.0 71.U|88.5 74.3|14,.2.81.4| 3.85] 2.12) 3.27 3.54 2.17 2.21) 2.74 do. October .959' .855 = .937 104, .917) 84.9/ 78.3 85.8 78.0) 79.3 74.2 833 76.8) 155.0 70.1/89.6 74.1 15.6'81.8) 3.08) 2.21) 1.68 1.25) 1.37) 2.97| 2.09) do. November ...| .940 .835 928 .108| © .901| 83.9] 78.1/84.7.77.6, 77-1 78.9 81.9 77.2|| 156.5 71.0) 89.6 74.1) 15.4 81.8! 4.18} 3.91) 5.21 6.52) 4.23 6.85) 5.24, N. W. and N. B. December ...|) .912) .809 .890 .103) 870) 83.2) 77.9 83.8, 78.2) 77.8 76.4, 81.6 77.5) 165.8 72.3) 88.5 74.3) 14.2 81.4) 5,24) 4.49) 5.48 7.56) 9.29] t 13.64) 8.07) N. E. — i | — — —|_—— — | — — —_ —_ —_|—______ a —| ————— Means .-. | 29.943 29.846 29.918 .997| 29.903! 83.1) 77.6 Baal 77 8 78.5 75.8 82.1 77.0)| 151.7 70. 87.9 73.7) 14.2) 80.8! i 55. 93° 61.19' 65.14' 5S: 28) 61. 24' 74.14) 58.37 * * * * TT * * * Highest reading of Barometer during the year 30.084 inches, L owest do. do. 29.709 Highest Temperature Observed 92.5° Lowest do. do. 66." * Total Annual registered rainfall, Singapore, Ist January, 1878. IRVINE ROWELL, M.D. Principal Civil Medical Officer 3. 8. ‘Skyy lien ae ; a eer oe ae BS “a we ow HD. a te e's t= A wee Se ae ge THEA 2 Af Bias : et 8 eh Se a. ages a Fe a tiie 4 ae ~ gist pasa a Tap aay --s . © 7 7 «4 Fit is ee me ce ; - cape >t —~——< > poem. | meno 30 5 kamhar-allak » kahar-allak. ere BO x it Bis Gs Pelton. Lo =, bis 3. how: Peele... of ,,. Shad 5, shah. Peto 2 od: ., whom: , when. pee wos) A. crowd >» craved. » 193 ,, 95 after invasion EO: Meo Ls, 4, . bese » Manuscripts. \f s TABLE OF CONTENTS. Pace. (I List of Members I | II Annual General 1} Meeting — Ii < UL Report of the Council for 1873 IV | IV do. Treasurer Vil LV President's Address IX 1 The Song of the Dyak Head-feast, by Revd J. Perham 123-130 2 Malay Proverbs, Part IT, | by W. E. Maxwell . 136-162 3 A Malay Nautch, by Frank A. Swettenham . 165-167 A Pidgin English, by N. B. Dennys . 168-174 5 The Founding of Singapore, by Sir T. 8. Raffles 175-182 6 Notes on two Perak Manuscripts, by W. HE. Maxwell 183-193 7 The Metalliferous Formation of the ae by D. D. Daly . 194-198 8 Suggestions regarding a new Malay Dictionary, by the Hon’ble C. J. Irving . 199-204 9 Hthnological Excursions in the Malay Peninsula, by N. Von Mikluho Maclay . 200-221 10 Miscellaneous Notices. Geographical Notes 222-225 Ascent of Bujang Malacca 225-227 Pabei Pass, Rambau 227-229 The Minerals of Sarawak, Note te Mr. rere 229-231 Semangs, letter of Professor-———————... 231-233 Capture of Ophiophagus Elaps... 233-235 Ophiophagus Elaps in Perak 235-236 A Malay Kramat 236-238 Malay Dictionary 238-239 Meteorological Returns for 1878 : RK te ce) ee ah iy See a = Y aa es La HISaN S i ‘ i eee ee = y 7 } 2 8 . Z ad! | ae Se ed j es } + : : bee Le eee ie ‘ h pad Powe ; Sic iain bey Ree ; - A , de , oe A oi / . ee —% * ri $ - Pe a ae . TA: - = ‘ okt 4 ; pet ae - oy, + “9. a . wun § RS ‘ ; : ve _ > "J £ ‘ iT Likes \ y J 4 ’ ; s 4 i awe ay ? ‘ 4 + t % . « . Pi ip <-d ast ak , ged at As mo v oA i Pye , ‘ i i * é im . me tha THE STRAITS BRANCH OF THE ROYAL ASIATIC SOCIETY. His Exeellency Sir W. C. F. Robinson, k.c. m.c. (Patron.) COUNCLL. f Ven. Archneacon Hose, wm. a. President. zg \ Major 8. Dunlop, r,a. Vice Presdent (Singapore.) ce Hon'ble C. J. Let! Vice Preeident (Penang.) = | James Miller Esq. Honry. Treasurer. \ A. M. Skinner, Esq. Honry. Secretary. Ernest Bieber Esq, L. L. D. ave Koek, Esq. Ne Be Wennys, Esq. Ph. D. 2 HA Hervey, Hsq- avy: mae, Hsq. M. A. List or Memwpers ror 1879. Adamson, Mr. W; Dalmann, Mr. EH. B; marcus. Nin: G:: Daly, Mr. D. D; Aaisom, Mia. Ac: Denison, Mr. N; Armstrong, Mr. Alex: Douglas, Capt: B; Baumgarten, Mr. C; Doyle, Mr. P; Bentlev, Mr. H. E; Droeze, Lt. J. Haver ; Bernard, Mr. A; Duff, Mr. A ; ' Bernard, Mr. F. G; Dunlop, Mr. C; Berard, Mr. CsG; Dunlop, Mr. C. Tennant ; Biggs, Revd. L. C ; Emmerson, Mr. C; Birch, Mr. J. K®™ Malls, Dr. IB: Birch, Mor. Ei. W; Favre, ? Abbé (Hon. Memi..) Black, Mr. A. F; Ferguson, Mr. A. M. Jr; Bond, Hon-I. 8: Eraser, Wx J ‘Boultbee, Mr. F. B; Giz, (Maes C;- Brown, Mr. L; Gomes, Revd. W. H:; Brown, Mr. D; Graham, Mr ; Bruce, Mr. Robert R; Giay, Mr. A; Burkinshaw, Mr. J; Hagedorn, Mr. E; Briissel, Mr. J; Hanson, Mr. J. EF; Campbell, Hon. R; Hazle, Mr. E; Cargill, Mr. Thomas ; iermens, Mr. A: H. A; Cope, Mr. Herbert ; Hewetson, Mr. H. W: Jornelus, Mr. B. M.A; Herwig, Mr. H; Cousins, Mr. A. W. V: Hill, Mr. ide (Ol Rosa dO; Hole, Mr. W; Ll Holmberg, Mr. B. H; Hordyk, My. K. F; Tbrahim bin Abdullah 2 Innes, Mr. James ; Kaufimann, Mr. A; Kehding, Mr. F; Ker, Mr. W.G; Ker, Mar Yet Krohn, Mr. W; Kynnersley, Mr. C. W. 8; Labuan and Sarawak, Lord Bis- hop of ; Lamb, Mr. J; Lambert, Mr. J. R; Lambert, Mr. E; Lambert, Mr. G. RB; Leech, Mr. H. W. C; Leicester, Mr. se W. MM; MacLaverty, Mr. G; Maclay, Mikluho (Hon. Memb.) MacNair, Hon, Majo J. F. A; Mahomed bin Mahboob : Mansfield, Mr. Geo ; Maxwell, Sir P. Benson ; Maxwell, Mr. W. E; Maxwell, Mr. R. W; Mohamed Said ; Mihry, Mr. O; Miller, Mr. J. B; Murray, Capt. R; Murton, Mr. H. J; Newton, Mr. Howard ; O’Brien, Mr. H. A; Paul, Mr. W. F..B; Penney, Mr. F.G; Perham, Revd. J. (Hon. Member. ) Pickering, Mr. W. A; Pistorius, ae Pes: Rappa, ‘Mr. G ; Read, Hon. W. H; temé, Mr. G. A: MEMBERS. Rinn, Mr. Edmond ;. Ross, Mr. J. D; Ritter, Mr. E; Rowell, Dr. Tee Sagoft, Syed Mohameam bin Ah- med AY: Sarawak, Raja of (Hon. Memb.) Scheerder, Mr. J. C ; Schomburgk, Mr. Carl; Schultze, Mr. Syed, Abu Baker ; Shelford, Hon: Thomas ; Shaw, Hon: Capt. E. W; Skinner, Mr. C. J; Sinclair, Mr. E; Smith, Hon. C. C; Sohst, Mr. T; Soto, Mr. M; Stewart, Mr. C. de B Stiven, Mr. Robt. G; Suhl, Mr. M; — Swettenham, Mr. F. A: Swinburne, Capt. ; Syers, Mr. H. C. Symes, Mr. kh. I. ; Talbot, Mr. A. P; Tan Kim Cheng ; Thompson, Mr. W ; Tiede, Mr. BR; Tolson, Mr. G. P: Trachsler, Mr. H ; Trebing, Dr. Ch; Uloth, Mr. H. W ; Vaughan, Mr. H. C; Vermont, Mr. J. M. B; Walker, Lt. R. 8. F; Whampoa, Hon. H. A. 1G Wheatley, Mr. J.J. L; — Woodford, Mr. H. B; Wyneken, Mr. BR; Zemike, Mr. lec PROCEEDINGS ANNUAL MEETING, 137m JANUARY. MINUTES. The Annual General Meeting of the Straits Branch of the Roval Asiatic Society was held at the Raftles Library at 8.30 p.m, on Monday the 13th January, 1879. Present. Ven. Arch. G. F. Hose, mu. a.—President. | A. M. Skinner, Esq., Hon Secy. The Hon. C. J. Irving, Hon. Treasurer. EK. Bieber, Hsq., L. L. D. : N. B. Dennys, Hsq., Ph. D. J. Miller, Esq. D. F. A. Hervey, Esq. EK. Koek, Esq. and numerous members and visitors. Mr. Geo. Mansfield is elected a member as proposed by the Couucil. The Honorary Secretary reads the Council’s Annual Report, It is agreed by the Meeting that the Report be adopted and published. The Honorary Treasurer reads the Council’s Financial Report. | It is agreed by the Meeting that the Report be adopted and published. The President then addresses the Meeting and concludes by resignine, on behalf of himself and the other members of the Council, the offices which they have discharged during the past year. The Vouncil then proceeds to ballot for the Officers and Council during 1879, Messrs. Dennys and Koek acting as scrutineers of the ballot. iy PROCEEDINGS, The following Officers and Councillors are elected :— President, Ven. Arch. G. F. Hose, m. a. abet Penang, Hon. C. J. Irving. VieesE resident i Singapore, Major 8. Dunlop. Honorary Secretary, A. M. Skinner, Esq. Honorary Treasurer, J, Miller Esq. COUNCILLORS, HK. Bieber, Esq., i. L. D. N. B. Dennys, Esq., Ph D, H. Koek, Esq. D. F. A, Hervey, Esq. R, W, Hullett, Hsq., mu. a. A vote of thanks to the Honorary Secretary for his services during the year having been put and carried, the Meeting separates, ‘ae Councit’s AnnuaL Report ror 1878. Read at the Annual Meeting held on the 13th January, 1879. _ In presenting to the Straits Asiatic Society their first Annual Report, the Council are glad of the opportunity to review briefly the steps which have been made _ to consolidate and extend the work of the Society, since the first General Meeting of January 21st. It is satisfactory to record that the accession of new mem- bers has steadily continued, and at the present time the Society may congratulate itself upon numbering in all 158 Members, viz :— The Patron (an office H. EH. the Governor was pleased to accept last August.) 4 Honorary Members (the Raja of Sarawak, Messrs. Maclay, Favre and J. Perham.) 153 Ordinary Members (including the Officers and Coun- cillors.) In March, the Royal Asiatic Society, the parent of many branches, communicated its willingness to allow the Society to be affiliated to it in the usual manner. PROCEEDINGS V Thanks to the permission accorded by the Committee of Raffles’ Library and Museum to make use of the Library reading-room, no difficulty has been experienced with regard tothe place of meeting. Nine “General Meetings” have taken place, and 22 Papers have been read; comprising, amongst others, original accounts of :— “Breeding Pearls,’ ‘The Chinese in Singapore, their Triad Societies, and their Immigration to the Straits,” ‘‘ The Wild Tribes in the Peninsula and their Dialects,’ ‘The Proverbs of the Malays,” “The Snake-eating Serpent,” “The Dyak Mengap,” “A Malay Nautch at Pahang,” ‘“‘Agriculture in the Straits,” “The Metalliferous Formation of the Penin- sula,” “ Rambau,” “ Pidgin English,” and “ Suggestions re- garding a new Malay Dictionary.” The first number of the Journal (nominally for July) was actually published in September, owing to delay in the printing ; and the 500 bound copies delivered have been dealt with as follows :— Distributed to Members Uy Use sae LR Do. to Councillors (extra) fs. crite lee Do. to Contributors ... fy ee Alte Do. to the Press aie ae a 8 Do. to Learned Societies . fey lie On sale at Singapore, Bangkok, Hongkong,and Penang 95 About 200 copies remain on hand, as well as about 100 copies of each paper unbound. The numbers actually sold are not accurately known yet. It is believed they are not large. In the meantime, the Society has escaped from any difficulty with regard to funds through the cordial support it has met with from all classes of the community. As yet only shght progress has been made towards the formation of a library, and none whatever towards the collec- tion of Malay Books and MS8S.; but there is at any rate some prospect of a steady growth in the number of journals and records exchanged for our own journal with kindred Societies elsewhere. For example, a complete set of the Records of the Indian Geographical Survey has been fur- nished to us from India (12 vols.) and a communication has been received from the President of the HMcole des Langues Vwantes, accompanied with three rare publications regarding 4 Ve PROCEEDINGS. the Malay and Javanese languages. The Batavian Society of Arts and Sciences has also Offered. its hearty support; and in all these cases our correspondents have volunteered their assistance. It is our Society which has been sought; and this may be regarded as a recognition of the useful position it is calculated to fill in relation to other Scientific Associa- tions. The Council would here more particularly acknowledge the co-operation they have met with from the Foreign Con- suls in Singapore, through whose aid they look to obtain a wider basis for their proceedings, and the great advantage of exchanging publications with Foreign as well as with Hnensh “learned Societies.” In addition to the General Meetings, the publication of the Society’s Journals, and the formation of the Society” 8 Library, the Council has addressed itself to certain questions of a more practical character, such as the preparation of a new map of the Peninsula, the recommendation to Govern- ment to purchase the late Mr. Logan’s Philological Library, the indexing of the 12 vols. of that distinguished man’s Journals of the Archipelago, the publication of a new Dictionary, and the preparation and distribution of a serviceable Vocabulary to assist in collecting the Dialects of Wild Tribes. With regard to the new Map, and to the purchase of Mr. Logan’s Philolog nical Collection, though neither of these matters has yet ‘been definitely settled, the Council wishes here to acknowledge the powerful support afforded by Go- vernment to the obj jects which this Society has been formed to promote; and it may be mentioned that one of the difficul- ties in the way of ipalolisiivaels an improved map—the want of fund emoved by the Govern- ment’s rie lee tel Stn to distribute among the Native States 200 copies at the price of $2 each. As to the still more serious difficulty, the want of exact information regarding the countries that form the Peninsula —most of which is still unexplored—something has already has done by the Society. The River Triang, connecting Jélébti with the main stream of the River Pahang, was des. cended by a traveller from S. Ujong last June, thus clear- ing up a large portion of the water-system of the Pahang, and incidentally explaining the hitherto mysterious connec- tion between Jélei and the Négri Sémbilan, The prosccliaiam PROCEEDINGS. Vii of this journey was, it is believed, entirely due to the §S POcleNy. Other explorations of equal consequence have been made in the interior of the Kinta District (Pérak) by Mr. Leech, and across the watershed that separates Pahang and Kélan- tan by Mr. M. Maclay. These journeys, though executed under other influences, have been made more generally use- ful, and have been brought to serve our purpose, by obtaining compass bearings and itineraries of the newly explored dis tricts for publication and record. With regard to the question of publishing either a new or et supplementary Dictionary, a paper has recently been read before the Society, which will be found in the ensuing num- ber of the Journal. Other communications on the subject have also been under the Council’s consideration from two independent sources. As to the forthcoming number of the Society’s Journal (December 1878), the material is already in the printer’s hands, and the printing of it is well advanced, and should be com- pleted in a few weeks. Tt only remains for the Council to take this opportunity of thanking the numerous contributors who have responded to their invitation; and to express their acknowledgements to the local and other journals for their ready co- operation in bringing the Society’s proceedings to the notice of the public. Tur Hon. TREeEASURER’s REPoRT. THE list of Members of the Society, handed to me for the collection of the subscriptions, included 155 names, exclusive of those of four Honorary Members ; but of these, two were subsequently withdrawn as having been entered through some misapprehension, the number of the subscribing mem- bers being thus reduced to 153. On the Bist December, the whole of the subscriptions had been paid with the exception of 16, of which four have since been paid; eight are likely to be paid shortly ; and four may be considered as withdrawn. Annexed is an abstract of the cash account of the year, from which it will be seen that the Receipts amounted to $327.50 and the payments to $517.98, the transactions re- sulting in a balance to the credit of the society of $309.52. The subscriptions for 1878, to be received in 1879, amounte a to $72 ; but on the other hand one subscription, $6, was paid in 1878 j in advance for 1879; and there were bills for 1878 outstanding at the end of the year to the amount of $41.60. Vill PROCEEDINGS. The general result is shewn by the annexed statement of Assets and Liabilities, from which it will be seen that the net balance to the credit of the Society at the close of the year was $333.92. This appears to be as satisfactory a position as could have been anticipated, but it must be borne in mind that it results from the fact that the Society, while it has received the subscriptions for the entire year, has only issued one number of the Journal, instead of the two numbers, which it is pro- posed to issue yearly in future. The cost of the publication of the number of the Journal for July did not much fall short of $400; and though the cost of the subsequent numbers is lik ely to be less consider- able, the publication of the two numbers must be expected to absorb a very considerable proportion of the income of the Society, which does not appear likely much to exceed S900 a year. Straits Asiatic Sociery. Cash account 1878. Ee Oe ak OD Sub’tions for 1878 ... $17 50 | Publication of Journal ... 356 CON ce lome es 6 Photographs .. 12 50 Sale of Journal fo 4 Lithographs us ke Gre Printing Notices &e. ... 26, | Advertisements ... agi UME D | Allowance to Clerk ee | Gas Bs oh ts 5 Postage... sh £5 MeO! Stationery ie ae 6 62 Miscellaneous... ‘eé 6 75 517 98 Balance .. oe capo aa: 827 50) 827 50 Assets AnpD LIABILITIES. Ist ae IkeiGh C.; sua. Balance Chartered Mer Nee | Bills outstanding Pub. of Bank oe os Ol sae Journal (final)... 25 Balance ~~) Cash) <2. 12 00} Subscriptions 1878 | Sundries for December 16 60 outstanding ae 72 | Subscription for 1879: in advance . na 6 : 47.60 Balance to credit Ale 330-92 $381.52 $381.52 THE PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS. Gentlemen, if it had not been announced to you, both in the notices convening this meeting and in the public prints, that the President would address the Society this evening, TI should only too gladly remain silent; being satisfied that in the two Re ports to ese! h you have qust listened all that nee be said ai the past year has been said. For the sul ject, as it seems to me, of an address from the President of such a Society as this, at the end of his year of ottice, should be a review of the history of the Society during that year. But when I saw the exhaustive Report which the Hou. Se- eretary had drawn up for the @ouncil, and which has just been presented to this meeting, I felt, like “the needy knifegrinder,” that I had no story to tell. Very little re- mains for me to say ZOD to congratulate the Society upon its present position. It is about a year old. Iam not ae sure whether the day of the first preliminary meeting, th Ath of November 1877, or January 21st in 1878, the ured at which Rules were made and Officers appointed, should be called the birthday of the Society : probably the latter ; and in that case it hase not yet quite re eached its first anniversat Ys But the baby is alive and well. It has survived some of the dangers of infancy; it has not been smothered by kindness, nor left to perish from neglect; 1t has not been starved, as the Treasurer’s report shews and it has shewn itself capable of performing most of the functions which were expected of it. We must all feel that the Report of the Council gives sufficient ground for the opinion that the Society is vigorous. Nine meetings held in the year: —twenty-two papers read :— ‘one number of the Journal published, and a second almost ready for publication :—a library commenced :—160 mem- bers enrolled :—and last, though not least, a balance at the Bank: all these are healthy — signs, and give us reason to hope that the Society is well ‘establis! hed, and has a long and useful career before it. ) Some of the papers that have been read are of very great value. I may mention asan instance Mr. Maclay’s account of his long wanderings amony the wild tribes of the Penin- sula. He has fixed with a precision which only personal in- vestigation on the spot could secure, both the habitat of each division of these scattered tribes, and the relation in which they stand to one another, and to other races. Hvery one who reads his most interesting paper must, I think, come to the same conclusions as Mr. Maclay himself, that, though 2 PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS. called by different names in different localities, these tribes are all of one race, of Melanesian type; and that the differ- ence, both in phy sical characteristics and manners and cus- toms, between those who seem most unlike one another, such as the Orang Sakei Liar and the Orang Mantra of ae Salah, is only the effect of intermarriage with some of th more ees races of the coast and the adoption of Be of their usages. We may esteem ourselves fortunate to have been entrusted with the publication in Hinelish of this most important contribution to ethnological science, the fruit of Mr. 1 Maclay ’s labours and privations, which have un- happily resulted in very serious loss of health to that distin- euished traveller himself. Another of last year’s papers that requires some special notice is the Revd. J. Perham’s account of the Meneap, or Song of the Dyak Head Feast. It appeared first in the columns of the Sarawak Gazette, but the Council has been glad to give it a more permanent place in literature by printing it again in the forthcoming number of the Journal. ft isa kind of contribution to our “knowledge of such races as the Dyaks of Borneo which ought to be easily obtained. Missionaries, who are engaged im Ie aL Christianity, should have the desire, as they have the opportunity, of in- ie rorming themselves accurately respecting the nature of those religious ideas and beliefs which they are trying to super- sede. And as the Mission in Sarawak “has been diligent and successful in making converts to Christianity, so L trust it will be careful to preserve a record of that which will rapid- ly pass away under its influence,—the imperfect and childish efforts of an untaught people to “feel after God if haply they may find Him.” Communications on this subject will, i foal sure, be always most gladly received by this Society, whoever may be for the Grime conducting its affairs. Another paper to which I will venture to draw special attention is Mr. W. H. Maxwell’s collection of Malay Pro- verbs, of which the first portion was printed in the first num- ber of the Journal, and a second portion will appear in the next. Certainly, some of these Proverbs shew a depth of worldly wisdom and a pungency of wit with which many of us, who have only a superficial knowledge of the Malay, would not have credited him. And they also give us an in- sight into his character, and his ways oe looking upon the world about him, which could hardly be afforded us so well by any other means. PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS The last paper that I will mention is the translation Mr, Pickering has given us of the Chinese legendary account of the origin of their Secret Societies. This is to be followed LT hope by some further information concerning the condi- tion of these Societies, their manner of working, and their influence for good or evil in Singapore from the same high authority. It is probable that an exposure of their practices will relieve Huropeans from some ill-grounded fears as to the objects and action of these associations, and that, by haying them deprived of their character oF Beer the Chinese themselves may be induced to use them, as they well may, for mutual benefit only, giving ap what ideas of avoression on the rights of others may still be involved i them. The General meetings, at which these and the other pa- pers have been read, have not perhaps been go well attended as we might have wished; but | think those who have been cenerally or frequently pre esent at them have found them a a most agreeable break in the monotony of Colonial life. The truth of the old saying, magne civitas magna solitudo, is very keenly felt in Sing: apore 5 for our city , thoug! h it is not great in numbers, is great in area, and men who may have much to ooumrmmmntiennse to, or to learn from one another, are likely to meet very rarely, unless there are fixed times and places of meeting. But I doubt whether our meetings will be as frequent in the future as they have been in the past year. I mention this now because I think, if it turns out to be the case, we must look upon it, not as a sign of retrogression, but as a thing that must in the nature of thines happen. No doubt one thing that encouraged some of the original promoters of the Society to endeavour to get it established was the consciousness that they had a certain accumulation of in- formation and even of M.S. which was sufficient to give the Society a start. But we have drawn eo largely upon that stock during the year, and may expect to find that papers for meetings are not quite so abundant as they were. New matter will of course be coming in; but all the members without exception who are at all likely to be contributors are busy men, who have but few hours of leisure to devote to science and literature outside their own particular calling. And though I hope we may be able to keep up our two numbers of the Journal in the year, I do very much doubt whether we shall be able to get a meeting more than once in two months instead of once a month as hitherto. 4, PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS There is one part of the scheme of work we planned for ourselves last year which has not begun to be accomplished. T mean the formation of a collection of 2 Malay literature. When [ think of the dangers which so many of the few Ma- lay MSS. and books that exist are now running, I feel that there is no time to be lost in setting about this business in earnest. Think of these precious volumes in the keeping of native owners who have no idea of their value. Think of them also even when they are in the hands of apprecia- tive European collectors; of one precious, unique MS. in a bachelor-residence somewhere in the interior of Perak: another perhaps in a Singapore hotel: another here, another there, scattered everywhere, in danger of white ants, of fire, of careless servants, encountering daily one or all of these risks, When [I think of it I tremble for them, and most heartily wish they were safe under lock and key, in the pos- session of our Society. There are three ways in which possession of them’ may be acquired ; by gift, by loan for copying, or by purchase. Sure- ly we ought to be able either to beg, borrow, or buy them. T think while we have money it would be a most useful way of spending some of it, if we were either to purchase such Malay books as are to be bought, or pay for having copies made of such as may be entr usted to us for that purpose.— But of course it would be better still to receive them as oifts; and as example is more forcible than precept, I here and now offer for the acceptance of the Society my own much valued copy of the Hikayat Abdullah. We may thankfully record the fact that the Society has had no losses by death, and few by departure during the year. One serious loss was that of the Hon. John Douglas, the late Colonial Secretary of this Colony. He was a most valuable member of the Council, and was much interested in the welfare and progress of the Society. But as the loss to us was a gain to him we perhaps ought not to regret it. The timely return of Mr. Hervey to Sine geapore gave the Council an opportunity of filing up the vacancy in their body by appointing another of the original promoters of the Society to succeed Mr. Douglas. And now, gentlemen, it only remains for me and the other members of the Council to lay down the charge with which you have entrusted us, and ask you to proceed to the election of our successors, MENGAP, THE SONG OF THE DYAK HEAD FEAST, BY THE REV. J. PERHAM. Read at a Meeting of the Society held on the 8th of July 1878. THe principal ceremonial teasts of Sea Dyaks are con- nected with three subjects; farming, head-taking, and the dead; and are called by them respectively, Gawé Batu or Gaweée Benih, Gawé Pala or Burong, and Gawe Antu; the Stone or Seed feast, the Head or Bird feast, and the Spirit feast. The first mentioned are two distinct feasts and not two names of one; but both refer to the farm. It is with the Gawe Pala or Burong that this paper is concerned. When a house has obtained a human head a grand feast must be made sooner or later to celebrate the acquisition ; and this is by no means a mere matter of eating and drink- ing, although there is an excess of the latter, but is a mat- ter of much ceremony, of offerings and of song. The sone which is then recited is well-known to differ considerably in form from the ordinary language, and the European who may be able to understand and to speak colloquial Dyak may yet find the ““Mengap” (as it is called in Saribus dialect) mostly unintelligible. But I believe the difference is only that between a poetical and prose language. Certain require- ments of alliteration and of rythm and rhyme have to be fulfilled, which, together with native metaphor and most excessive verbosity, are quite sufficient to mystify an unin- structed hearer. Another reason for the difference lies in the fact that the language of the Mengap remains station- ery, whilst the ordinary spoken language is continually changing and developing new forms. But the object of this paper is not to discourse akout Dyak poetical language, | only attempt to give a sketch of the Mengap of the Head- feast, so that the reader ma y have some idea of the meaning of ee has perhaps sour,ded to some a mere senseless rig- marole, 124 MENGAP, THE SONG OF THE DYAK HEAD FEAST. In Dyak life the sense of the invisible is constantly pre- sent and active. Spirits and goblins are to them as real as themselves. And this is specially true of these ceremonial feasts. In the feasts for the dead the spirits of Hades are invoked; in those connected with farming Pulane Gana, who is supposed to reside somewhere under the ground, is called upon; and in the Head-feast it is Singalange Burong who is invoked to be present. He may be described as the Mars of Sea Dyak mythology, and is put far away above the skies. But the invocation is not made by the human per- former in the manner of a prayer direct to this great be- ing; it takes the form of a story setting forth “how the mythical hero Kling or Klieng made a Head-feast and fetched Singalang Burone to it. This Kling about whom there are many fables is a spirit, and is supposed to live somewhere or other not far from mankind, and to be able to confer benefits upon them. The Dyak perfor mer or performers then, as they walk up and down the long verandah of the house sing- ing the Mengap, in reality describe Kling’s Gawe Pala, and how Singalane Burong was invited and came. In thought the Dyaks identify themselves with Kling, and the resultant signification is that the recitation of this story is an invoca- tion to Singalane Burong, who is supposed to come not to Kling’s house only, but to the actual Dyak house where the feast is celebrated ; ;and he is received by a particular cere- mony, and is offered food or sacyifice. The performer begins by describing how the people in Kling’s house contemplate the heavens in their various cha- racters :— “They see to the end of heaven like a well-joined box.” “They see the speckled evening clouds like a menaga jar ‘in fullness of beauty.” ““They see the sun already descending to the twinkling ‘expanse of ocean.” They see “the threatening clouds like an expanse of black cloth ;” “the brightly shining moon”; “the stars and milky way;” and then the house with its inmates, the “crowned young men”; and “hiding women” in high glee, and grave old men sitting on the ver epa”ing for high festival. The women are described decorating the house with native cloths; one is compared to a dove, another to an argus pheasant, another to a minah bird—all laugh- ing with pleasure. All the ancient Dyak chiefs and Malay \ MENGAP, THE SONG OF THE DYAK HEAD FEAST. 125 chiefs are called upon in the song to attend, and even the spizits in Hades; and last of all Singalang Burong. To him henceforward the song is almost entirely confined. We must suppose the scene to be laid in Kling’s house. Kumang, Kling’s wife, the ideal of Dyak feminine beauty, comes out of the room and sits down on the verandah beside her husband, and complains that the festival preparations make slow progress. She declares she has no comfort either in standing, sitting or lying down on account of this slack- ness; and by way of rousing her spouse to activity, says the festival preparations had better be put a stop to altogether. But Kling will never have it said that he began but could not finish. Indah keba aku nunggu, Nda kala aku pulai lebu, Makau benong tajau bujang. Indah keba aku ngaiyau, Nda kala aku pulai sabau, _ Makau slabit ladong penyariang. Indah keba aku meti, Nda kala aku nda mai. Bulih kalimpai babi blang. Indah keba aku manjok, Nda kala aku pulai luchok, Bulih sa-langgai ruai lalang. Kite bisi tegar nda besampiar untak tulang. Kite bisi laju ari peluru leka bangkong, Kité bisi lasit ari sumpit betibong punggang Sampure nya kité asoh betuboh ngambi ng cahang. “When I have gone to fine people, “ Never did I return empty handed “ Bringing jars with me. ‘When I have gone on the war-path, “ Never did I return unsuccessful Bringing a basketful of heads. “When I have ¢ gone to lay pig- Ltaps, « Never did I return without * Obtaining a bear’s tusk. "When I have set hird snares. “ Never did I retwm unfruitful “ Getting an argus pheasant. 126 MENGAP, THE SONG OF THE DYAK HEAD FEAST. ‘We have a strong one, the marrow of whose bones never wastes. ‘“ We have one swifter than a bullet of molten lead. ‘We have one more piercing than the sumpitan with ringed endings. ““Sampure we will orderto gather companions and fetch the guests to the feast,” So Sampure is ordered to fetch Singalang Burong who lives on the top of a hill called “‘Sandong Tenyalange.” But Sampure begs to be excused on ace ount of illness; upon which Kasulai (the moth) and Lazang (the swallow) offer them- selves for the work, with much boasting of their activity and swiftness. With one bound they can clear the space be- tween the earth and the “clouds crossing the skies.” So they speed on their way. Midway to the skies they come to the house of ‘“‘Ini Manang,” (Grandmother Doctor) who asks the meaning of their hurried arrival covered with dirt and perspiration. ‘‘ Whois sick of the fever? Whois at the point of death ? I have no time to go down to doctor them.” Agi lelak aku uchu Baru pulai ari tuchong langgong Sanyandang Di-injau Umang Betebang batang pisang raia. “Tam still weary, O grandchild, ** Am just come back from plain- topped Sanyandang ; * Having been borrowed by Umang “To cut down the grand plantain tree,”* They answer that they are not come to ask her to exercise her medical skill, but simply to inquire how far it is to the country of Salulut Antu Ribut, (the spirit of the winds.) Ini Manang joking gives them this mystifying direction. “If you start early in the dark morning you will be a night on the way. If you start this evening you will get there at once.” Whether this reply helped them or not ‘they get to their destination at last; and the Wind Spirit accosts them. Nama siduai agi bepetang, agi malam ? Bangat bepagi belam-lam ? Dini bala bisi ngunja menoa ? Dini antu ti besueu nda jena baka ? “ Why come you while it is still dark, still night ? “So very early in the dawn of morning ? “ Where iis there a hostile army invading the counti'y ¥ * Where are there| thundering spirits in countless numbers ?” *'This refers ¢o a particular performance of the Dyak Manangs, 1 e, Medicine men, MENGAP, THE SONG OF THE DYAK HEAD FEAST. 127 They assure her they bring no evil tidings; and they tell her they have been sent to fetch Singalang Burong, and desire her assistance in the matter. Here I may give a specimen of the verbosity of these recitations. Kasulai and Laiang wish to borrow Antu Ribut to, Nyingkau Lang Tabunau Ka Turau baroh remang. Nempalong Singalang Burong Di tuchong Sandong Tenyalane. Nyeru aki Menaul Jugu Ka munggu Nempurong Balang Nanya ka Aki Lang Rimba Ka Lembaba langit Lemengang, Mesan ka aki Lang Buban Di dan Kara Kiang. “ Reach up to Lang Tabunau * At Turau below the clouds. “ Strike out to Singalang Burong. “On the top of Sandong Tenyalang, ** Call to grandfather Menaul Jugu ‘“On Nempurong Balang hill. ** Ask for grandfather Lang Rimba «« At Lembaba in the mysterious heavens. “Send for grandfather Lang Buban “On the branch of the Kara Kijang.” These, five beings described as living at five different places all refer to Singalang Burong, who is thus called by many names in order to magnify his greatness, to lengthen the story and fill up time. This is a general feature of all “‘Mengap.” Butto goon with the story: Kasulai and La- iang desire Antu Ribut to take the message on because they would not be able to get through “pintu langit” (the door of heaven), whereas she, being wind, would have no difficulty. She could get through the smallest of cracks. At first she ob- jects on the plea of being busy. “She is busy blowing through the steep valleys cut out like boats, blowing the leaves and scattering the dust.” However at length they prevail upon her, they return and she goes forward: but first she goes up a high tree where she changes her form, drops her per- sonality as a spirit, and becomes natural wind. Upon this everywhere throughout the jungle there arises the sound of mighty rushing wind ‘like the thunder of a moon-mad water- fall.” Hverywhere is the sound of driving wind and of fall- ing leaves, She blows in all quarters, Muput ka langit neilah bulan Muput ka ili ngilah Santan. Muput ka dalam ai ngilah karangan, 128 MENGAP, THE SONG OF THE DYAK HEAD FEAST. Muput ka tanah neilah sabaian, Muput ka langit ntilang remang, Nyelipak remang rarat, Baka singkap krang kapaiyang, Nyelepak pintu remang burak, Baka pantak peti bejuang, Menseht pintu langit, Baka tambit peti tetukang. Nelan lobang ujan Teman gren laja pematange. Mampul lobang guntor , Ti mupur inggar betinggang. Nyelapat lobang kilat Jampat nyelambai petang. The above describes how Antu Ribut blew everywhere, ‘She blows to heavenward beyond the moon. ** She blows to seaward beyond the Cocoanut isle. ‘“« She blows in the waters beyond the pebbly bottom. ** She blows to earthward beyond Hades. * She blows to the skies below the clouds. *« She creeps between the drifting clouds, ‘* Which are like pieces of sliced kapalyang.y ** She pushes through the door of the white flocked clouds, ‘* Marked as with nails of a cross-beamed box. ** She edges her passage through the door of heaven, ‘* Closed up like a box with opening cover. ‘*« She slips through the rain holes, “ No bigger than the size of a sumpitan arrow. «“ She enters the openings of the thunders, ** With roarings loud rushing one upon another. ‘** She shoots through the way of the lightning * Which swiftly darts at night.” And moreover she blows upon all the fruit trees in succes- sion making them to bear unwonted fruit. And so with sounds of thunder and tempest she speeds on her errand to the farthest heaven. Now amongst Sinealange Buroneg’s slaves is a certain Bujang Pedang (Young Sword) who happens to be clearing and weeding the ‘“ sebang”’ bushes as Antu Ribut passes, and he is utterly astounded at the noise. He looks heavenward and earthward and seaward but can see nothing to account for it. On comes the tempest; he is confounded, loses heart and runs away, leaving half his things belund him. He falls against the stumps and the buttresses of the trees and against the logs in the way, and comes tumbling, trem- bling, and bruised to the house of his mistress. Sudan Berinjan Bungkong Dara Tiong Menyelong, OE + A kind of fruit. MENGAP, THE SONG OF THE DYAK HEAD FEAST. 129 which is the poetical name of Singalane Burong’s wite. He falls down exhausted on the verandah and faints away. His mistress laments over her faithful slave; but after a time he revives, and they ask him what frightened him so dreadfully, suggesting it may have been the rush of the flood tide, or the waves of the sea. No, he says, he has fought with enemies at sea, and striven with waves, but never heard anything so awesome before. Singalang Burong him- self now appears on the scene, and beimg at a loss to account for the fright simply calls Bujang Pedang a har, and a prating coward. Whilst they are engaged in discussion Antu Ri- but arrives, and striking violently agaist the house shakes it- to its foundations. Bujange Pedang recognizes the sound and tells them it was that he heard under the “ sebang” bushes. The trees of the jungle bend to the tempest, cocoa- nut and sago trees are broken in two, pinang trees fall, and various fruit trees die by the stroke of the wind; but it makes other fruit trees suddenly put forth abundant fruit. Muput Antu Ribut unggai badu badu. Mangka ka buah unggai leju leju. “ The Wind Spirit blows and will not cease, cease, “ Strikes against the fruit trees and will not weary, weary.” Everybody becomes suddenly cold and great consternation prevails. Singalange Burong himself is roused, and demands in loud and angry tones who has broken any “pemali” (taboo), and so brought a plague of wind and rain upon the country. He declares he will sell them, or fight them, or punish them whoever they may be. He then resorts to cer- tain charms to charm away the evil, such as burning some tuba root and other things. In the meantime Antu Ribut herself goes up to the house, but at the top of the ladder she stops short. She is afraid of Sinealange Burong whom she sees in full war-costume, with arms complete and his war- charms tied round his waist; and going down the ladder again she goes round to the back of the house, and slips through the window in the roof into the room where Singa- lang Burong’s wife sits at her weaving. Suddenly all her weaving materials are seen flying in all directions, she her- self is frightened and takes refuge behind a post ; “but when she has recovered her presence ‘of mind and collected her scattered articles, it dawns upon her (how does not appear) that this Wind is a messenger from the lower world, bringing an announcement that ‘‘men are killing the white spotted pig.” Now she entertains Antu Ribut in the style of a great chief, and calls to her husband; but he heeds not, 130 MENGAP, THE SONG OF THE DYAK HEAD FEAST. Nda nyaut sa-leka mukut, Nda nimbas sa-leka bras. “ Does not answer a grain of bran, “ Does not reply a grain of rice,’ (that is to the extent of a grain, &c.) The lady is displeased and declares she would rather be divorced from him than be treated in that way. This brings Singalang Burong into the room which is described as Bilik baik baka tasik ledong lelinang, ‘*A room rich like the wide expanse of glistenine sea,” It appears that Antu Ribut does not speak and tell the purport of her message, for they still have to find it out for themselves, which they do by taking a “tropong,”’* (teles- cope) to see what is going on in the lower regions. They see the festival preparations there, the drums and gongs, and thus they understand that they are invited to the feast. Before Singalane Burong can start he must call from the jungle his sons-in-law, who are the sacred birds which the Dyaks use as omens. These are considered both as spirits and as actual birds, for they speak like men and fly like birds. Here will be observed the reason why the festival is called Gawe Burong (Bird feast). Singalang Burong the war-spirit is also the mike: of the omen birds, The hawk with brown body and white head and breast, very common in this country, is supposed to be a kind of outward personifica- tion of him, and probably the king of birds in Dyak estima- tion. The story of the feast centres in him and the inferior birds who all come to it; hence the title Gawé Burone. ‘To call these feathered sons-in-law of Singalang Burong to- gether the big old gone of the ancients is beaten, at the sound of which all the birds immediately repair to the house of their father-in-law, where they are told that Antu Ribut has brought an invitation to a feast in the lower world. So they all cet ready and are about to start, when it comes out that Dara Inchin Temaga, one of Sing alane Burongs’ daughters and the wife of the bird Katupong, refuses to 20 with them. On being questioned why she refuses, she declares that unless she obtains a certain precious ornament she will remain at home. She is afraid that at the feast she will appear less splendidly attired than the ladies Kumang, and Lulong, and Indai Abane. * This must be a later addition to the story. MENGAP, THE SONG OF THE DYAK HEAD FEAST. 131 Aku ungegai alah bandong laban Lulong siduai Kumang. Aku unggai alah telah Jaban Kalinah ti disebut Indai Abang. “T wont be beaten compared with Lulong and Kumang. “ T wont be less spoken of than Kalinah who is called Indai Abang.” This precious ornament is variously described as a “ lump of gold,” a “lump of silver” and compared in the way of praise to various jungle fruits, A great consultation is held and inquiries made as to where this may be found. The old men are asked and they know not. The King of the Sea oives a like answer, neither do the birds above mentioned know where it is to be obtained. At leneth the grandfather of the bird Katupong recollects that he has seen it “afar off” in Nisine’s house. Nising is the grandfather of the Burong Malam* (night bird,) All the sons-in-law set out at once for Nising’s house. Arriving there they approach warily and listen clandestinely to what is going on inside; and they hear Nising’s wife trying to sing a childto sleep. She carries it up and down the house, points out the fowls and pigs, &c. yet the child refuses to stop crying much to the mother’s anger. “How can I but cry,” the child says, “I have had a bad dream, wherein I[ thought I was bitten by a snake which struck me in the side, and i was cut through below the heart.” “If so,” answers the mother, ‘it signi- fies your life will not be a long one.” “‘ Soon will your neck be stuck in the mud bank. “Soon will your head be inclosed in rotan-sega. “ Sky line. per Chale 17° OO! 55 Lumbei 112° 00’ Sky line. (‘‘ back-bone” range ?) Gunony Ulu Bidor 136° 00’ i DO 307° 00’ distant. >» manduai 307° 30’ near, MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES. Oh From where we stood we could see the opposite side of the valley below us to the east almost completely covered by old Sakei ladangs, which quite bears out what I had been previ- ously told, but did not credit, that there are fully 700 of these people living there. I here again noticed a fact which attracted my attention when up the Kinta valley last August with the first coffee explorers,—that the Sakei cultivation appears to be limited to a height of between 300 or 400 feet up to 2,000 feet. Above this latter height they appear scarcely ever to go. Possibly this is the limit at which “ pad?” willthrive. Above this level there are a large number of beautiful valleys, which both my companions agreed were admirably suited for coffee cultiva- tion, as far as site was concerned. Paper Pass Rampavu. (Overland route from Sunger Ujong to Malacca.) The following is extracted from the account given in the Straits Times of the General Meeting held on the 7th September. “Jn his description of a Walk through Rambau, which we give at lencth, as itis not likely to make its appearance in the Society’s Journal as a separate paper, Mr. Skinner said :—There is a kind of understanding—an unwritten rule, and I think « very wholesome rule—that no fresh paper should be commenced after 9.30 p.m. It is now nearly 10, but the Chairman seems to think that our programme should be com- pleted ; and if the ladies and gentlemen present think so too, this may be done without infringing the rule after all, for the truth is I have no paper to read. ’ “T merely propose to describe in a few words a journey I re- cently made across the Padbei Pass, from Sri Ménanti into Rambau, and across that country into Malacca; which, for some reason, no HKuropean ever happens to have made before ; but which is in itself a tolerably easy walk of three days, and by far the most direct route from Sri Ménanti (and its neighbour- hood, Ulu Muar, Gunong Pusir, and Kwala Pila) into Malacca. “We started on horseback from Sungei Ujong, (where [I had gone by the usual River Lingei ronte,) and rode by a path almost at right angles to the course afterwards taken as far as Bukit Putus ; covering the distance of 9 or 10 miles before breakfast, at a rate and over a road which allowed but little time for reflection or observation, 228 MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES. & Having breakfasted at Bukit Patus, the frontier police sta- tion,” we left Captain Murray and walked that afternoon to Sri Ménanti; a hard walk ; we did not get our dinner till 9 Pp. Mu. and slept in the former barracks of the detachment of H. M.’s 10th Regiment, on Tunku Hantah’s invitation. It is now used as a kind of balei, ‘‘Next morning webreakfasted at the foot of Gunong D'dsir. So far the path is well-known ; and at least two gentlemen pre- sent have followed it. We passed for instance an illustrious padi field, not unknown to fame, and in which oue’s thoughts reverted to the distinguished traveller who has just shewn us the way to make our fortunes (Mr. Daly); but from Ganong Pasir to Rambau it is different. I ean only find one account ofa previous Journey across Bukit Padez, that of Mr. Charles a in 1825, whose journey is described in the Indian Archi- pelago Journal vol, VIJ., and who is stili well remembered in Malacca from the cireumstance of his death oceurring a few days after his return. He, however, appears to have approach- ed the pass from the Ramban side, and to Lave left it on the Sri Menanti side, by different roads to those | pursued ; and this short piece of country (which Mr. Skinner pointed ont om the new Map) from Pabei through Sri Lémak to Mésjid Nerdsu and Bandar, had not before been crossed by any European. The journey from Bandar to Malacca is comparatively well-known ; and I cannot help thinking that if it were also known that the path from there to Sri Ménanti were so good a one, firm and dry, and in fact a bridle-path for several mniles of the way—it would more frequently have been used, particularly during the recent military occupation of the Négri Stmbilan. I should add that it is well known to the Natives, and even to the Sungei Ujong police Peons. I had the best proof of this, for at the top of the pass (Pérhéntian Téngah high) while resting to take breath we counted 30 souls ; a party of 11 or 12 Malays having come up from either side w a: we were resting. We both passed and met many others; and similar parties hed been passed going in and out of Sungei Ujong by Bukit Putus Pass. No doubt the rice famine which is now be- ing felt in Sri Ménanti, explains the unusually large numbers. They are going “to buy corn in Egypt.” On the Rambau side I was told they could buy 5 gantangs for a dollar; in Sri Meénanti only 3% cantangs. Rambau is just nowa favoured land in other respects. The high price of Tapioca has been made known; and as so much of its waste lands are well-suit- ed tor its cultivation, fresh clearings, even around Pabet, are pumerous. Many of these are in Mal ay hands, cleared and e MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES. 229 planted as I was assured without Chinese help. But Chinese were there too, beth planting and acting as carriers. Altogether T agree with Mr. Swettenham’s remark that Rambau has the largest Malay population of any of the Négri Sémbilau ; and I should not describe it as unprugressive, for in an agriculture point of view it shows signs of progress, both of a more pro- mising character, and more independent of extraneous influences, than can be found in most of the other Malay States near our Settlements. “The second night was passed at Mésjid Nérasa, where the Datu of Rambau lives, near Bandar. [From there, after twice crossing the river (which is here a fine fresh rapid stream, excellent for bathing, with a sandy bottom, and said to be above the reach of aligators) we had a long walk to Briso near the Malacca frontier ; and eventually reached Alor Gajah in time for an afternoon meal, and so on to Malacca in the evening of the third day. It was on the whole a very pleasant and interesting journey, wlich [ can safely recom- mond to others as a suiliciently easy overland route of 3 days from Sungei Ujong to Malacca, and a pleasant variation of the somewhat monotonous two days’ journey by way of Linsom and the River Linggi.” “Some discussion ensued as to the customs of Rambau, from which it appeared that the tribal forms of Society and Government still flourish there, while in the neighbouring States they have been greatly modified ; the causes suggested being the comparative isolation of Rambau, the absence of Chinese, and its unique geographical situation, placed as it is neither at the mouth nor at the source of any important stream.” THe MInerans or SARAWAK. By A. Hart Everett, (late) Sarawak Government Service. (See Journal [. 1878.) The paper on the distribution of the Minerals of Sarawak, which appeared in the first issue of this Journal, had left my hands several years past, and as [ was not aware of its intended publication, it is now scarcely up to date in some few particu-, lars. By the courtesy of the Hiditor I am enabled to supply these deficiencies by the present note. Manganese.—Lundu and Rejang must be added to the loca- lities already given for this Mineral. In the first named 930 MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES, district 16 occurs as an oxide in the usual boss-like aggre- gations. ; opper.— insignificant traces of Copper have been re- Copper.—Some insignificant t f Copper have | e ported to exist in the rocks forming the left hand entrance of the Salak river in Santubonge Bay. Lead.—Galena is now known to exist in Sarawak but only in minute treces. It has been lately discovered in Seuthern Borneo also and is there associated with Arsenic. Antimony.—Since the date of my last note an attempt has been made to follow up the numerous indications of antimony in the Rejang to their commen source, but hitherto without much success. A small quantity of ore, however, has been exported from the district, and it is at least probable that when the exploration has been pushed further in the direction of the elevated country near the Tabujang Mountain there will be a better result to record. The Sesange branch of the Kalakah river has yielded traces of Antimony. in addition to the locali- ties previously mentioned. In the section on Antimony the paragraph ‘ Lodes in which the matrix is felspar are rarer” and should read ‘are richer.” Coal.—My remarks on this Mineral referred to the Silantek (Lingga) coal and not to the Sadong coal at present being coo} worked by the Government. This latter is of inferior quality. Petroleum.—Mineral oil may now be included in the Sara- wak list. Indications of its presence have been discovered in Sadong ; but they are, I believe, of no importance from an stimecnice | point of view. Tungsten.—A lode of a dark looking Mineral, which appears to pierce the limestone hill of Busau from side to side, has been pronounced to consist largely of Wolfram or tungstate of iron and Manganese. Limestone, Clays, §:c.--Inexhaustible supplies of limestone are available in Sarawak. It can be quarried on the river side within 25 miles of Kuching and it affords both ordinary and hydraulic lime, each excellent of its kind. Plastic Clays of the finest quality abound in various parts of the Territory and are at present utilized solely for the manufacture of bricks and coarse pottery. ‘The eae is not rich in ornamental stones available for building or other useful purposes. ‘The only rocks of this description with which [am acquainted are a pure white saccharoid marble (metamorphic limestone) in MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES. 231 the Upper Samarahan and a handsome dark blackish-green rock with white or pale green marblings which is found in the distant Upper Rejang country, whence small specimens are brought by the Kayans, who make this stone into ornaments. Jt is probably a variety of Serpentine. Tn concluding this brief note I should mention that Silver was inadvertently omitted in my list of the minerals which do not come within the monopoly of the Borneo Company. IN} H. ibe Sarawak, 23rd November, 1878. | THe SEMANGS. [The following letters, written by a distinguished authority on the subject of which they treat, have been kindly placed at the Society’s disposal. Though written some years ago they will still, it is believed, be found interesting. | OxrorD UNIVERsITY Museum, May 4, 1869. Professor ————writes to thank Colonel for the trouble he has taken on behalf of the interests of the Museum here in having the two aborigines photographed, and in desiring the Raja of Kédah to procure a skeleton of one of these people. The two photographs enclosed are taken from the new Museum here, an institution comparatively recently superadded to the old classical university. Some 8 or 9 papers have recently been written upon the history and physical peculiarities of the Sémanes, and the Andamaners, who are supposed to be of the same stock. Jolonel Fytche, Colonel Campbell in his notes by an old Sportsman, Mr. Earl, Lieutenant St. John, 60th Royal Rifles, and a Pere Bourieu have all written about either the Sémang in P. Wellesiey or the Andaman Islancers, and all agree that the continental dwarf black and the Islander are much the same. Mr. Wallace, who spent many yearsin the Archipelago to the southward at Timor, 'Pernate, Gilolo &e.,and has just brought out a bool, a very good one, in which he discusses all the Natural History points, relating both to man and beast, agrees with these gentleman in thinking the Stmangs of the Malacca Peninsula 932 MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES. to be of the same race with the Andamanerss; and he also considers them to be of the same stock as the little black people called Negrito in the Philippines. But he does not think them allied to the Australian or Papuan races as Mr. Logan, a writer of some note, does, calling them “ Draviro- ieeeeiee : (Journal of the Indian Archipelago p.p. 156. 157). The Pére Bourieu who observes of the Méutras, a wild tribe in the Malay Peninsula akin to the Stmanys, that they are bathed for the first time when they are dead, observes also that after they are put into the grave either sitting, standing, or reclining, they are not visited after the first three days, during which time a fire is kept burning at the grave. If the Raja of Kédah is a Mahomedan, he would not be likely to have any very strong scruples as to causing a skeleton interred in a non-Musselman fashion to be disinterred. Probably but little disinterment would be necessary, as very little earth would be put upon the dead body. Professor ——-————-cannot conclude without expressing his sense of the obligation which the cultivators of science owe to Lient.-Governor— for his exertions. January 5, 1370. There was some delay in getting the Semany’s skeleton from the ‘ Diomed,” but it has come to hand quite safely, as T ought to have written a fortnight or more ago to thank you for your trouble and the interest you have taken in the matter. The skeleton is very valuable, though very different from what I had Ee tr 1 find the Semangs are a small race with narrow, large heads; from the character of the bones I should suppose they live mainly on flesh food, the bones being 4 ad and bright. ‘The man must have been an old one, which sa comparatively 1 rare thing to find among savages ; at least ee of the savage skulls that come into my hands are skulls of young men: and [ imasine also from my own experience of such people whilst living, that they are old at ages when we are young. [shall work up all that has been written iu the ‘Tvanicacnione of your Indian Soeieties (Logan’s and H. B. Hodgson’s names are familiar to me as Editors or Contributors) and I shall make out all that the bones themselves have to teach me, and conbine my information. Whatever I write I will see that you have. I shall send you shortly a paper I have been wr iting on the excavations of our own savage fore- fathers here in England, which L hope you may find more or less interesting. MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES. Jae I am much obliged to you for your mention of the Dodo bones. Luckily Mr. Flower, the Antiquarian, is the father of the Mr. (1 think now Captain) Flower who was so active in digging in the Mauritius; and as Laman ally of the father, we contrived to get a very large share of those valuable relics for our Museum. We were bound in honor so to do, as before this discovery a skull of that extinct bird which we preserved was the only one, except one in Copenhagen, in the world. It was very vexatious at first, that discovering of new Lones ; every fresh discovery reducing the value and interest of our specimen, muchas the discovery of the first husband reduces the value of the second in 'Tennyson’s Poem of “ Enoch Arden.” But we made this out if it. I have to thank you also for mentioning our Museum to Dr. Stoliczka. I am in corres- pondence as to exchanges with Dr. Anderson of the Indian Museum, and [ will put myself in communication with Dr. Stoliczka also. Ifthe Raja of Kédah should come upon another skeleton of the Sémang, I should be very glad of it. In the meantime it will be my business to make the best possible use of the one which we have. CAPTURE OF A SPECIMEN oF OPHIoPHAGUS HILAPS. [The followimg communication to the Curator of the Rafiles Museum may be of interest. | “fT am very glad indeed to be able to send you another and a finer specimen of the Ophiophagus Hlaps, a female mea- suring 11 feet 4 inches. “The circumstances attending its capture are somewhat interesting. The man describes the snake as going along with its head elevated above the ground, and states that it came right at him; he wisely bolted and gave the alarm to the men in the fort ; the brute then took up his position on the top of the Sentry box. J happened to be passing and heard the shouting, and was just in time to save the snake from being battered to pieces. Two plucky fellows volunteered to take it alive, but it was a risky thing to do, as jmmediately we approached the sentry box the snake 234, MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES. threw out its head from the folds and with distended neck shewed fight; however a noose at the end of a long stick was cleverly slipped over the neck whilst one of the men got hold of the tail; so we had him all fast without a blemish. “The snake was then taken to the Godown and its veno- mous powers tested on three dogs. “The first dog was slightly bitten in the shoulder at 10h. d4m., and an ai ntidote believed in by the Chinese was applied. I enclose a specimen of the plant. The second doe was bitten very severely at 10.55, the snake holding on to the animal like a bull-dog to his dog. A strong solution of Chloral Hydrate was injected by the hypodermic Syringe, but without effect as the animal died in 15 minutes. The first dog not appearing much worse for the first bite, he was bitten again at 11.21 very severely in the nose and foot, the snake fastening on the latter place very tenaciously. The Chinese antidote was again apphed; the plant was “bruised ina small portion of water, the solution poured down the dog’s throat, and the benised leaves well rubbed into the wounds, but the dog sunk at once and died at 12.20, 1 hour 46 minutes after the first bite and 59 minutes after the second. “The third dog was bitten at 11.19, at first very slightly and then severely in the foot; no antidote was used in this case, and this animal lived, some Chinaman having applied the actual centery te the wound in the foot; but the poor brute suffered very severely and I do not think it will recover. The Sclangor Natives recognise the Snake as the most dangerous known; they term it the “ Tédong Sélah.” “They all say it moves with the head lifted off the ¢round, and that it will not only attack, but pursue. An instance of this occured some time ago; one of the Huropean Officers in riding along one of the roads came on a very large Snake and it followed him, and he had to put his pony into a gallop to escape; he described it simply as a Cobra, but since reading of your paper in the first Number of the Straits Asia- tic Society’s Journal he considers it was a specimen of the Ophophiagus Hlaps of about 6 or 7 feet long. The perusal of the paper by you, and my seeing the two specimens here, proves beyond a doubt that the Oph. Elaps exists. In Northern Australia one about 7 feet in length bit a fine re- wrlever Of mine, I was then Government Resident of Port MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES. 255 Darwin and my daughter was riding with me, my mounted orderly in attendance. The orderly dismounted, and the snake after biting the dog went into a hollow place, from which he came out and would have bitten the man had he not dispatched him with his sabre. “My daughter on seeing the specimen I now send you, at once recognised it as similar to the one which she saw ab Port Darwin, the bright orange patch under the neck occur- ing in both cases. The dog died in about 5 hours, after every care and the application of the Hy inert Sy ringe by the Surgeon. The Natives here say the Oph. Elaps is not common; several of the intelligent and elderly men say, they have seen much larger specimen; one respectable man say he Saw one a fathom lager than the one I send you which would be 19 feet. “‘ Hnclosed is the Mate’s receipt for the Jar, which I trust will arrive safely as Captain Joyce promises to take charge of it. I also send you a small Python and avery venomous Snake termed the ** Tédong Matahari,” said to attack men. iby ADE Klang, 20th November, 1878 THE OPHIOPHAGUS ELAPS A correspondent states that the existence of this reptile in the Peninsula was proved in the early part of 1876, when a detachment of the Buffs were quartered at Kwala Kanesa. A specimen was killed and brought into the camp by some Malays; it was examined and identified by Sureeon-Major Davis. The Malays described it as the most “formidable snake they are acquainted von, and related instances in which it had been known to chase men who had ae ei it, even taking to the water atter them if they plunged int a river to escape from it. The Malay name given to the specimen caught at Kwala Kangsa was Tedong Selah ( Salah- Favre.) There is an allusion to it in the Mar ong Mahawangse (see Colonel Low’s translation, Journal India Archipelago vol. Ill. page 265) and the peculiar characteristic of this snake, namely that it will actually pursue a retreating foe, is introduced into the legend. “The boa feeling himself “rather getting the worst of it, suddenly stirred, and shook 236 MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES. “his head and body, and became a fearful tédong sélah, or “hooded snake, the girth of which was that of a cocoanut “tree, whose tongue was lolling out and whose eyes were “large as cymbals. The people amazed dispersed, and a few “‘ daring persons remained and beat the snakes. Then again “they assembled in greater numbers, with loud shouts and ““noise, to destroy the snake. The latter pursued the Raja, who “sought for shelter behind a tree.” A MALAY KRAMAT. The mining district of Larut in Perak is so essentially a. Chinese settlement that its early Malay history is generally completely iost sight of. Before the discovery of tin in Larut, some thirty or forty years ago, Trong, which is fur-. ther south, was the port from which traders and merchandise: found their way y to Parit Gantang and Kwala Kangsa. It is still a thriving district and likely to increase in importance,,. but it has been eclipsed for many years by Larut. The old plantations of fruit trees at Trong mark it at once as a much older settlement than Larut, where cultivation is in its in- fancy. Trees are among the few traces which the Malay leaves of his occupation; he does not build stone walls and seldom erects permanent monuments of any kind. Ancient groves of durian trees, planted no one can say when or by whom, may s sometimes shew where a populous Kampong must at one tune have been established ; but in all other respects: a deserted Malay settlement became undistinguishable jangle in a very few years. Local tradition in Perak has handed down various stories: counected with Achinese invasions of Perak, which must have taken place in the 16th and 17th centuries, and there- is little doubt of the truth of the popular account which: makes the coast settlements, now called Larut and Trong, the scene of some of the encounters between the invaders and the people of the country. For a long time Perak was a mere dependency of Achven, and it may be fairly supposed. hat some of the conquerors settled in the former country.. Rightly or wrongly the Malays of Larut assign an Achinese: origin to an old grave which was discovered in the forest some years ago, and of which I propose to sive a brief descrip- tion. It is situated about half-way between the Larut Residency and the mining village of Kamunting. In the neighbourhood the old durian trees of Java betoken the pre- . MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES. 237 sence of a Malay population at a date long prior to the advent of the Chinese miner. The grave was discovered about twenty years ago by workmen employed by the Méntri of Perak to make the Kamunting road, and it excited much curiosity among the Malays at the time. The Méntri and. all the ladies of his family went on elephants to see it and it has been an object of much popular prestige ever since. The Malays of Java were able from village tradition to vive the name and sex of the occupant of this lonely tomb, “Toh Bidan Susu Lanjut,” whose name sounds better in the original than inan English translation. Sheissaid to have been an old Achinese woman of good family ; of her personal history nothing is known, but her claims to respectability are evinced by the carved head and foot stones of Achinese workmanship, which adorn her grave, and her sanctity is proved by the fact that the stones are eight feet apart. It is a well-known Malay supersition that the stones placed to mark the graves of Saints miraculously increase their relative distance during the lapse of years, and thus bear mute testimony to the holiness of the person whose resting- place they mark. The Kramat on the Kamunting road is on the spur of a hill through which the roadway is cut. do; August Do. 1875 Sendo: September Do. 1876 1 endo: October Do. 1877 vo do, November Do. 1878 i do: Decem ber Total. .; 91.66 Greatest Rain: fallin 24 hours TL ROWELL, «,, Principal Civil Medical Officer, 8, 8. FY I pr. Pa. oe a 7 Months, January 3.93 February 3.23 March 3.37 April 9.28 May 9.19 June 6.81 July 5.42 August, 12.31 September 3.13 October 6.11 November .. 8.24 December... 20.66 Total... 90.63 Greatest Rain- 5.61 fallin 24 hours, } 31st Aug. 4.20 18th Jan. 1 1 w i= oo Soe Coe SRE OW OIA He ee DKS Te wl] Suse nee oS 3.10 12th Sept. S os