A visit to the Indian Archipelago, in H.M.S. Mæander, with portions of the private journal of Sir James Brooke ... with illustrations by O. W. Brierly

Front matter

A VISIT TO THE INDIAN ARCHIPELAGO, IN H. M. SHIP MÆANDER. H. M. S . ¥Æ A TT D E R . '" . - . ■ - .• ' lJ A VISIT TO THE INDIAN ARCHIPELAGO, IN H. M. SHIP MÆANDER. WITH PORTIONS OF THE PRIVATE JOURNAL OF SIR JAMES BROOKE, K.CB. BY CAPTN. THE HON. HENRY KEPPEL, R.N. WITH ILLUSTRATIONS BY OSWALD W. BRIERLEY. " Where things familiar cease, and strange begin." IN TWO VOLUMES. VOL. I. LONDON : RICHARD BENTLEY, NEW BURLINGTON STREET Pufiltsfjtt in ©rtsirarg to $ct fHajeistg. MDCCCLIII. LONDON! BRAHEWHY AND EVANS, PRINTERS, WH11 EFRIAR9. TO SIR JAMES BROOKE, K.C.B., KAJAll OF SARAWAK. ♦ My dear Brooke, Dedications are, I believe, still in fashion; and if so, many considerations decide me to assign this conspicuous position to your name. If it be in any measure a compliment, there is none to whom I would rather offer it.

If it be a way of letting the world know that one has a worthy friend, you are the man. If it be a mode of drawing more attention to one's work than its own merits would secure, or of bespeaking more indulgence for the sake of the patron than its unprotected demerits would find — yours is still the name to which I would trust. I have one other reason ; namely, that four or five chapters of my book are really devoted to a vindication, which certainly you do not need, but which I could not shun to offer, without turning out of the direct course of duty and of pleasure. Accept it according to its intention rather than its ability ; and believe me, My dear Brooke, Your sincere friend, HENRY KEPPEL. Droxford, Dec. 11, 1S52.

Preface

. I was considering how to excuse myself for writing a book, when my eye fell upon an old edition of Lord Bacon's works, of which the illustrated title-page suggests an excellent apology for nautical authors. It represents a ship sailing into port ; and under it is this Scripture text in Latin, " Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased." Certain it is that " they that go down to the sea in ships, and occupy their business in great waters, these men see the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep." I believe that the profession, to which I have the honour to belong, has increased useful knowledge more than all other professions, and that it may still do so. Let sailors simply tell what they have seen and can testify ; each storing up his share of authentic information when he finds himself " Where things familiar cease, and strange begin," and none such need apologise for the books they write.

PREFACE.

. VIII The phenomena of Nature ; the phases of society civilised, and semi-civilised, and barbarous ; its manners, customs, and peculiarities ; the productions, animate and inanimate, of all climes : the world, in short, seen everywhere, and faithfully reported just as it is, affording thus food for the sublimest and for the simplest studies, — this is, at least in time of peace, a worthy department of the sailor's mission. I do not say that we are all to print, whether we see anything or not ; but that a sailor, actively employed, can hardly escape from an " increasing knowledge," on subjects new to those at home, which qualifies him for a very useful kind of authorship. My " Visit to the Indian Archipelago " has grown out of this principle. I hope the perusal of it may reflect on the reader some portion of that information or amusement, which I owe to it or to the days to which it takes me back.

A word is necessary upon one particular subject, which occupies four or five chapters of this book, — more space than I had thought of assigning to it ; but it grew under the pen ; and of all parts I feel that this needs the least

PREFACE.

. IX apology, except for its imperfect execution. The subject is Sir James Brooke : and the intention is to vindicate that excellent man from calumny. This task, though almost superfluous, offered itself so directly in my course, that I could not turn from it. Many of my observations have been doubtless better made by abler defenders of my friend ; but there is some new matter ; and I have drawn upon no extraneous source for opinions, which I have had superior opportunities of forming for myself. I commend my facts to the attention of the reader ; my reasonings to his impartiality ; and all inadvertent errors to his " gentleness." HENRY KEPPEL. Droxford, Dec. 11, 1852. PAGE 1 16 2£ CONTENTS,

Chapter I

Mœander Selected to Take out Governor Brooke to Labuan — Departure from Spithead — Madeira — Rio de Janeiro — Great Circle Sailing — Prince Edward's and Crozct's Islands — Straits of Sunda — Best Course for a Quick Passage — Arrival at Sincapore — Notice of its first Establishment — Investiture of Governor Brooke as K.C.B. — Tigers — Water-BufFaloes .

Chapter II

New Harbour — Sail from Sincapore — Santobong — Excitement at the Rajah's Return — St. Pierre's — Mœander Proceeds up the River — Rejoicings — Kuching — Earliest Views and Movements of Sir James Brooke

Chapter III

State of the Province of Sadong — Bornean Storm — Conference at the Rajah's with the Native Chiefs — WTild Hog Killed — Departure for Labuan — The Governor Sworn in — Difficulties of the New Settlement — The Barracks — Departure for Brun(S — Squalls — Disasters thereby — Departure for Sincapore — Sickness at Labuan — Deaths among the Marines — Arrival at Sincapore — Return to Labuan — Sepoys on Board Ship — Increased Sickness and Mortality at Labuan — Dangerous Illness of the Governor — He Embarks on Board the Mœander, and Proceeds on a Cruise CONTENTS, XII

Chapter IV. Paok

Anchor off Kimanis— Communicate with the Orang Kaya— Boat Arrives from Wreck of the Minerva — Curious Swarm of Bees — Sail from Kimanis— Kini Balu Mountain and Scenery— Wreck of Minerva Found Plundered and Burnt — Balambangan — Hauling the Seine — Sheriff Hussein— Civility of the Chiefs— Sporting — Simpang Mengiow — Mallawalli — Death of John Jago — Cagayan Soloo — Remarkable Inland Basin — Christmas Day 39

Chapter V

Toolyan — Bolod Islands — Island of Basilan — Samboangan — Sociable Society — Departure from Samboangan — Fleet of Gun-boats — Coral Island aud Sea Birds — Cagayan Soloo — Discovery of a Second Circular Lake, and Description — Departure for Banguey — Labuan — Improvements there — Sincapore — Ordered to China — Arrival at Hong Kong . . . .56

Chapter VI

Piracy in the China Seas — Regatta at Macao — Imprisonment of Mr. Summers — Interview on the Subject with the Portuguese Governor — Measures Taken for the Liberation of Mr. Summers — This Subject Reviewed — Particulars of the Assassination of Governor Do Amaral, and Subsequent Events — Explosion of the Dona Maria Frigate 90

Chapter VII

Departure for Manilla— Its Bay, River, City, Villages, and Manufactures- Hospitality— Trip to the Lakes— Cavita— Regal State of the Governor — Perils of a Patent of Nobility — Departure from Manilla — Shi]/ Aground— Arrival at Labuan— Take in Coal— News of Pirate Fleet having put to Sea— Departure for the Coast of Borneo . . . .115 CONTENTS. XIII PAGE

Chapter VIII

Malays and Dyaks as respects their Piratical Character— Serebas Malays— Serebas Dyaks— The Malay Prahu— The Dyak Bangkong— Sakarrans— Remarks on their Piratical Propensities, and on our former Operations against them — Preparations of the Serebas Pirates — Preparations of the Rajah of Sarawak — Pirate Prisoner brought in — Attack on Sadong by the Serebas Pirates — A Chief Dimgdong — His Fate— Remarks — The Rajah of Sarawak Sallies forth with hi3 Fleet — Is Joined by Native Allies — His Proceedings — Return to Sarawak 120

Chapter IX

A Ibalross Sails from Hong Kong for Borneo — Sir James Brooke Proceeds on a Mission to Soloo — His Return to Sarawak — A llatross Arrives there — Preparations for again Encountering the Serebas Pirates — European Force — Native Force — Expedition Leaves Sarawak and Arrives off the Batang Lupar — Royalist Sent to Guard the Linga — Intelligence Received that the Pirate Balla had passed out to Sea — Proceedings of the Pirates — Expedition Takes up a Position off the Serebas — Return of the Pirate Fleet — Its Destruction — Further Particulars — Proceedings of another Portion of the Pirate Balla — They Visit the Marotabus — Capture and Death of Hussein ... ...... 147

Chapter X

Expedition Ascends the Serebas River and the Paku Branch — Accident to the Ranee — Two Sons and Nephew of the Orang Kaya of Lundu Killed — His Grief and Departure with his Tribe — Paku Destroyed — Serebas Jack — Expedition Proceeds up the Rejang — Customs of the Millanows — Siriki — Kanowit River — Country of the Sakarran Pirates — Its Fertility — Native Force from Mato — Youthful Dyak Prisoner — His Liberation — Expedition Descends the Rejang — Native Auxiliaries Dismissed — Rajah Gives an Audience to some Pirate Chiefs — Nemesis Proceeds up the Rejang to the Country of the Kanowits — Man Overboard Saved by a Malay — Proofs of Piracy — Fines Inflicted and Enforced — How afterwards Disposed of — Expedition Returns to Sarawak CONTENTS. XIV PAOK 182

Chapter XIV

General Remarks on Piracy — Its Origin, Sources of Growth, and Development — Means of Suppression and Prevention — Ancient and Modern Piracy similar in all Respects — England's Duty as to the Police of the Eastern Seas — Sarawak — New Facts — Old Arguments .... 277 ERRATUM. — ♦ — Page 260, line 8, for " Alfred," read " Edgar." ILLUSTRATIONS. CHART OF THE INDIAN ARCHIPELAGO Inserted in Pocket H.M.S. MÆANDER, CASTING FROM SPITHEAD . . To face the Title. MAN OVERBOARD „ Page 6 FRESH WATER LAKE-, CAGAYAN SOOLOO . . . „ „ 85 SHIP ON SHORE

Chapter I

mæander selected to take out governor drooke to labuan departure from spithead madeira rio de janeiro — great circle sailing prince Edward's and crozet's islands — straits of sunda — best course for a quick passage arrival at sincapore notice of its first establishment investiture of governor brooke as k.o.b. — tigers — -water-buffaloes. As soon as it was decided that Mr. Brooke was to go out as Governor of Labuan, Lord Auckland, with his usual kindness and consideration, concluded that an old friend acquainted with the locality, and feeling an interest in Bornean affairs, might be of more assistance in forming the new settlement than a stranger ; I was in consequence, on the 1st of November, 1847, appointed to the Mœander, 44 guns, at Chatham. She was quickly and well manned, and would have sailed at the end of B December so as to meet the Governor early in April at Sincapore ; his intention having been to leave England in February, by the overland route.

Mr. Brooke had, however, obtained the appointment of Lieutenant- Governor for Mr. William Napier, a gentleman who, from long residence as a proctor at Sincapore, was well acquainted with the intricacies of our treaties with the Netherlands Government respecting the Eastern Archipelago. It was decided that the passage by sea in a man-of-war would be more convenient than the route overland, for the conveyance of the Lieutenant-Governor's family ; and he having much to arrange with his chief, which might easily be done during the voyage, they decided on going together. A passage was applied for and ordered accordingly. The main-deck guns, as far forward as the main-mast, were dismounted ; the ports fitted as windows, and the deck divided into cabins ; the Mœander had then the appearance of one of Mr. Green's fine Indiamen, without however pretending to their accommodation.

The confusion on board even an Indiaman expressly fitted for passengers is generally bad enough ; but in a man-of-war, where every kich of space has been pre occupied, the holds containing no more than the provisions necessary for so large a body of men, the extra demand for stowage which was not fairly to be had crammed our lower deck up to the beams with luggage, turned the men MADEIRA. 3 out of their proper berths, and caused a degree of dis comfort not to be described. On the 24th January we arrived at Spithead ; and, having embarked our passengers, we sailed on the evening of the 1st February. The weather was such as is usually experienced in the Channel at this season of the year, so that we had the disadvantage of at once plunging into a head sea ; and, before we had got abreast of the Eddystone, it blew hard from the westward : we thought it advisable to run into Plymouth Sound, and secure things in the places into which they had been just shaken ; we sailed on the 6th, and again took shelter on the 10th in Cork Harbour, our passengers suffering considerably.

Sailed from Cork on the 15th After our full share of bad weather, we were not sorry to arrive at Madeira on the 23rd. Our party were entertained with the usual hospitality of that island. Her Majesty the Queen Dowager was at this time residing there for the benefit of her health, and she had caused her munificent charity to be felt throughout the island. The day after our arrival, His Serene Highness the Duke Bernard of Saxe Weimar, attended by his sons, the Princes Edward and Herman"with Lord Northland, Major de Winton, and a large party, paid the Mœander a visit. We sailed on the 26th. The incidents of a sea voyage are seldom interesting to any but the party concerned. On crossing the equator, the usual ceremony was B performed ; and the presence of passengers imparted to it an unusual degree of excitement.

On the 24th we arrived at Rio de Janeiro, which we found as dirty as ever, with the slave trade in full vigour. A few months afterwards the philanthropic and enduring exertions of the British Government, seemed to have finally triumphed, and this vile traffic to have received its death-blow ; but we find it still attempting to struggle into a new existence. Among the men-of-war lying here we were glad to see the Comus, Commander D'Eyncourt, showing no symptoms of having been some weeks at the bottom of the muddy Rio de la Plata. May the time be far distant when a British officer shall despair of saving what by others might be given up as a lost affair ! Besides the Comus, we have the splendid example of the Gorqon steam-frigate, recovered in almost the same locality. The circumstances just differed sufficiently to make each instance remarkable on its peculiar grounds ; the former vessel was as far under water as the latter was above the usual level of the river.

March 28th, sailed from Rio Harbour. On the prin ciple of great circle sailing, we continued to make southing, until we were in the 56th deg. of east longitude, by which time we had attained the 48th of south latitude. On the 19th April we made Prince Edward's Island, the summits of whose mountains were covered with snow : SAILOR OVERBOARD. 5 on the following night, according to the chart, we ought, in the course we were taking, to have passed between the Crozet Islands, but we saw them not. On the 13th May we entered the Straits of Sunda, forty-seven days from Rio. Having made an equally quick passage six years pre viously in the Dido, beating five men-of-war who kept the old track by St. Paul's and Amsterdam, I can safely recommend the one by which we sailed as the most expeditious, though perhaps not the most agreeable route ; we had much cold and unpleasant weather, with the thermometer frequently below 40 deg.

On comparing the track of the Dido with that of the Mœander for the last 7000 miles, I find that the distances between the position of the two ships at noon on each day never exceeded 100 miles. On the 27th April, John Wallis, a fine young man, twenty-four years of age, fell overboard from the main topsail yard : the ship was running fast through the water, and the ship's company at breakfast. While lowering the quarter-boats to succour him, Lieutenant Comber, ever foremost in any such case, fell over the stern of the second cutter : . the sea had closed over poor Wallis before a boat could reach him, and Comber was with difficulty picked up in an exhausted state. While he was in the water, we observed several huge specimens of the albatross pass over him, and so close that he felt the tips of their wings sweep his face.

Felicia Hemans must have seen some one in the like predicament before she wrote what so exactly describes our sensations : " Be still, thou sea bird, with thy clanging cry My spirit sickens as thy wing sweeps by." Attacks from these enormous gulls are not unusual. In 1830, when the Seringapatam frigate was on her way to Valparaiso, after rounding Cape Horn, and being under close-reefed topsails, a man fell overboard : he was unable to swim, but was fortunate in getting hold of the life-buoy, to which he clung ; but he had scarcely time to congra tulate himself on his good luck, before he was assailed by an unlooked-for enemy in the albatross, who seemed to consider him as their immediate property. A tap on the head from one of their beaks might have finished poor Jack's career ; but, terrified at their formidable appearance and equivocal intentions, he attempted to defend himself with his shoe ; this, without much difficulty, they had just torn from his grasp, when the boat arrived to his rescue.

Wallis was a general favourite, and the ship's company requested they might be allowed to send a day's pay to his widowed mother, who was entirely dependent on him for support.* On the 20th May we arrived at Sincapore, after an excellent passage of three months and five days, including stoppages at Madeira and Rio. * The acknowledgment, with grateful thanks, from poor Mrs. Wallis, I received a few months afterwards, in a letter dictated from her death-bed. TVs AN OVE B B O A . I . SINCAPORE. 7 Here we received the intelligence of another revolution in France, the proclamation of the Republic, and of Louis Philippe being a refugee in England. We found Commodore Plumridge's broad pennant flying on board the Cambrian : the late commander in-chief, Admiral Inglefield, having died at Bombay. On the 22nd our passengers landed, Mr. Brooke being received with all the honours due to a governor ; and on the following day preparations were commenced for establishing the new colony.

An office was opened in Sincapore, and contracts received for the frame-works of the temporary residences to be erected for the Government functionaries. On the banks of a small stream — the rendezvous, until 1819, of only a few Malay trading prahus — now stands the rich and extensive town of Sincapore. By no act of his life did Sir Stamford Raffles manifest greater discernment and foresight, than by founding this settlement. In 1824, five years after its first establishment, the population amounted to 11,000, "the magical result," says its eminent founder, " of a perfect freedom in trade." This number had already doubled itself when I saw the place for the first time in 1833; and it has continued to increase ever since in the same rapid way. Sincapore has now become the commercial emporium of all the trading communities of the Eastern Archipelago, as well as of that extensive trade which is carried on by all nations with China and India.

Hither also resort, now twice in every month, the steam-vessels of the Dutch from Batavia, of the Spanish from Manilla, and our own from China, to meet the European mail. The number of square-rigged vessels that anchor annually in the roads exceeds a thousand. The island measures twenty-seven miles in length by eleven in breadth. A few years ago it was a dense jungle : on every hill may now be seen the residence of some hospitable merchant, surrounded by plantations of nutmeg or other spice trees. Excellent roads intersect the island ; and substantial bridges are thrown across its streams — for which luxuries of communication much credit is due to the present energetic and excellent governor, Colonel Butterworth. On the 9th June the Phlegethon steam-frigate sailed with the engineer, Mr. Scott, and Mr. Hosken the harbour-master, as the pioneers of the new settlement at Labuan.

The June mail, which arrived on the 7th August, brought our new commander-in-chief, Sir Francis Collier, as well as the gratifying intelligence that Her Majesty bad been pleased to confer the Order of the Bath on Mr. Brooke — of which he was made Knight Commander, — and the Lieutenant-Governor of Labuan was directed to invest Sir James accordingly. The ceremony was performed on the 22nd of August, a very great event in Sincapore, Mr. Napier representing Her Majesty with becoming dignity : the whole business was more amusing than imposing, and finished in the evening with a ball. TIGERS. 9 By some error, the representative of Majesty omitted to invite the too sensitive editor of a local journal, which over sight gave rise to a succession of amusing articles, supposed to be in disparagement of the new colony generally, and of the Royal Navy in particular : some of these subsequently found their way into an English paper, and, I am told, were alluded to in the House of Commons.

Great indeed must have been the triumph of my little friend. During our stay at Sincapore, the body of a large tiger was brought in by some Malays (a not unusual occurrence), to enable them to receive the reward given by Government. The Malays stated that, when they found this monster in a hole which had been dug to catch him, they threw quick lime into his eyes ; and the unfortunate beast, while suffering intense agony from this cruel appliance, drowned himself in some water which was at the bottom of the pit, though not more than a foot deep. The annual loss of human life from tigers, chiefly among the Chinese settlers, is perfectly fearful, averaging no fewer than 360, or one per diem. Great exertions are still making for the destruction of these animals, which is effected by pitfalls, cages baited with a dog, goat, monkey, or other restless animal, and by sundry cunning contrivances.

Not many years ago the existence of a tiger in the island was disbelieved ; and they must have been very scarce indeed, for even the natives did not know of any. It is the opinion of Dr. Oxley (no mean authority at Sincapore), that one may have been acci dentally carried by the tide across the narrow straits which separate the island from the main land, and another may have instinctively followed : finding abundance of food they have multiplied. This is a more rational mode of accounting for their being here, than to suppose that they chased their prey over ; as it is contrary to the nature of the beast to follow in pursuit, after the first attempt proves unsuccessful. Now, at Sincapore, as in the days of Alfred with the wolves in England, it is necessary to offer a reward for their destruction.

One of the most recent victims was the son of the headman at the village of Passier Rice, who, having gone into the jungle immediately at the back of his father's house, for the purpose of cutting wood, was attacked by a tiger. The father, hearing his cries, rushed out just in time to grasp his son's legs, as the brute was dragging him into the jungle. The father pulled and the tiger growled ferociously, and it was only on several persons coming up and assailing him, that the monster was persuaded to quit his prey ; but the unfortunate young man was dead ! I could enumerate many instances of the daring exploits of these brutes, but one or two will be sufficient to con vince the reader of the ferocious nature of their attacks, and their peculiar relish for human flesh, which, when once tasted, is preferred by them to any other.

The district of Siranjong appears to be their favourite prowling-ground. In April, last year, one of them put to WATER-BUFFALOES. 11 flight a party of Malays who were at work in that neighbourhood. Before they could get clear of the jungle, the tiger — a well-known brute, advanced in years, and remarkable from having large white spots — sprang upon one of them, selecting, of course, the fattest. When the first shock of their fright was over, they turned on the tiger, and, pursuing him with their parongs (short swords), made him drop his prey, but not until the poor man was in the agonies of death. The same tiger, however, determined not to be disappointed of his meal, that night carried off a Chinaman at a short distance from the scene of his morning's exploits. In the course of the following month, at the same place, two Chinamen employed in sawing timber were carried off.

On the last occasion, the com rades of the victim, hearing his shrieks, bravely rushed out in a body to his assistance, as the tiger was dragging him towards the jungle ; but, instead of dropping his prey and skulking off as he ought to have done, the brute, greatly to their dismay, faced about and stood growling over the body in a most ferocious manner ; and it was not until he had received a shower of sticks and stones that he moved off. The water-buffalo is an animal much in use at Sincapore for purposes of draught. It is a dull, heavy looking animal— slow at work, and I think disgusting in appearance ; but remarkable for sagacity and attach ment to its native keepers. It has, however, a particular antipathy to a European, and will immediately detect him in a crowd. Its dislike to, and its courage in attacking, the tiger is well known all over India.

Not long ago, as a Malayan boy, who was employed by bis parents in herding some water-buffaloes, was driving his charge home by the borders of the jungle, a tiger made a sudden spring, and, seizing the lad by the thigh, was dragging him off, when two old bull buffaloes, hearing the shriek of distress from the well-known voice of their little attendant, turned round and charged with their usual rapidity. The tiger, thus closely pressed, was obliged to drop his prey, to defend himself. While one buffalo fought and successfully drove the tiger away, the other kept guard over the wounded boy. Later in the evening, when the anxious father, alarmed, came out with attendants to seek his child, he found that the whole herd, with the exception of the two old buffaloes, had dispersed them selves to feed, but that they were still there — one standing over the bleeding body of their little friend, while the other kept watch on the edge of the jungle for the return of the tiger.

There is a procession and much parade in brin<rin° these tigers to the Government office. They are made to look as fierce as possible, propped up in a standing position by pieces of bamboo, the mouth open, and tail on end. The Governor kindly presented me with this fallen monarch of the jungle, and I was astonished at the number of native volunteers for the service of denuding TIGER'S FLESH. 13 him of his skin, tbe only part I coveted, while they demanded tbe carcase for their trouble. But I found afterwards that they made a large profit by retailing tbe flesh, a belief being entertained by this people that the eating of it is not only a sovereign remedy for all diseases, but that it imparts to him who eats it the sagacity as well as the courage of the animal. A friend of mine belonging to the 21st regiment, M.N.I., who was slowly recovering from an attack of fever, finding some difficulty in masticating the food before him, questioned his servant as to the cause, when he discovered that the fellow had purchased a small piece of my tiger, which he had clandestinely introduced into his master's currie.

When my friend got well, young Zaddie firmly believed that his remedy had effected the cure. On the Rajah's visiting some poor Dyaks in November, 1850, located on the Quop branch of the Sarawak river, so strongly impressed wore they with the idea that sagacity and intelligence might be instilled into the human frame through the channel of the throat, that, at a feast aiven to celebrate his visit, the elders of both sexes, taking from a cauldron a handful of rice, which some of the party were cooking in the centre of the apartment, brought it to the " Tuan Besar" (Great Sir), to spit on, and the mixture thus made they swallowed with peculiar gusto, the younger branches applying to the Rajah's European attendants for a similar relish to their meal. Although out on several occasions, I was never fortunate enough to fall in with a live tiger.

With wild hog we occasionally had good sport. With my friend, Dr. Oxley, who seldom misses his bird, I had some good snipe-shooting, but it requires a companion acquainted with the locality to obtain sport. Deer are occasionally met with. The naturalist will find no end of amusement in the jungle ; there are varieties of the monkey ; the Pteromys (flying squirrel) is common ; but the most extraordinary creature is the Ptcropus, or flying fox, of which Dr. Oxley writes, " I may add several species of the bat tribe, amongst them, that most destructive one to all fruits, the flying fox or Pteropus : fortunately, however, they are as yet scarce, but at no distance from us they are numerous beyond count. I have seen a flock of them, whilst anchored in the straits of Malacca, so large, as to take several hours in passing ;" and the editor of the "Journal of the Indian Archipelago," states in a note, " A colony is at present located in a mangrove creek at the head of the estuary of the Johore.