-that is, 300 to 700 feet-traversed by great rivers, which descend from a central group of mountains, and surrounded by wide alluvial plains, edged with mangrove swamps, or broken up into low deltas, constantly subject to inundation. It has, therefore, a physical character distinct from that of Java or Sumatra. Its plains are of much greater extent, and its mountains, on an average, do not attain the same elevation.

From northeast to southwest extends a chain of mountains, nearly parallel to, but at a great distance from, the west coast, which, in or near latitude 3 deg. north, curves around, to terminate at Cape Sipang. From this chain a short spur projects, and links it to a double range of lesser height, one of which runs southwest to a point near Cape Sambas, while the other pursues an irregular southeastern direction and reaches Cape Salatan. The culminating point of the first-named chain is Kinibulu, 13,680 feet in height. This is the loftiest summit on the island, and on the east side of it lies a great lake, the source of numerous rivers.

The other important peaks are Kamangting, in the southwest chain-6,500 feet; Lunangi, in the southeast, 6,300 feet; Meratoo, also in the southeast, 4,000; Batang-Loopar, east of Sarawak, 4,000; Krimbang and Saramboo, both south of Sarawak, 3,250 and 3,000. respectively; and Santibong, at the mouth of the river Sarawak, 2,050 feet. Thus it is evident that the general elevation of the island is not considerable. If it were sunk five hundred feet, at least four-fifths of its area would disappear, leaving several long peninsulas, of tolerable breadth, divided by broad ocean channels, and relieved by solitary mountain peaks rising here. and there above the waters. If sunk one thousand

feet, nothing would remain but a few of these peninsulas; the ocean ways would be broader, and the mountain peaks wider apart.

RIVERS.

We come now to the rivers of Borneo. In most countries the configuration of the surface is determined by the course of one principal river, or it is defined by the basins of two or three main streams. Thus, Germany is marked out by the basin of the Rhone and Loire; Egypt, by the valley of the Nile. So far as our knowledge of Borneo at present extends, it offers us no such assistance in surveying and laying down its superficial area. Its rivers are mostly tidal, but their basins seem to be very narrow, and they descend languidly and slowly through vast level deltas, which merge into inundated plains.

The littoral or shore country on the north and northwest, a comparatively level tract about six hundred miles in length, is watered by a perfect network of rivers, though probably not one of them exceeds a hundred and fifty miles in its full career. They rise from the range of mountains of which Kinibulu is the culminating summit, and their course being short, are more rapid than those in any other part of the island. Some of them preserve their fresh water character down to the very coast.

Tracing them from the north, we may notice, first, the River Brunai (Borneo), a broad sheet of water, navigable for some distance by large ships. Next, the Binbula and the Judal, both of which are considerable streams. Passing Cape Sinik, we observe the mouths of the Rejang, which, at eighty miles from its mouth, is one mile wide. Still larger than these is the noble

Butong-Lupai, which measures nearly five miles across, and can float a large frigate. The Sarawak, famous in the annals of English enterprise, is not so remarkable for its length or breadth as for its numerous branches, which ramify in such a manner as to afford to an extensive district all the advantages of water communication.

South of the equator we find the Mejak, the Sambas and the Kapooas. The first named was ascended by a Dutch steamer, as far as Malu, in March, 1855. The last named is one of the chief rivers on the island -perhaps the chief-measuring not less than seven hundred miles in its sinuous course.

On the south coast we notice the Djelli, the Pembuan, the Medawi, the Great Dayak, the Little Dayak, the Kahajau, the Murong, and the Bangermassin, or Burdo. This last is connected by several arms with the Murong on the west, and thence again with the Kahajau; so that a water-way penetrates into the very heart of the interior. In the lower part of its course it is continually overflowing the country, as its name indicates-Bangermassin ("frequent floods"). In the upper part it is called the Dooson, or village river, because its banks are occupied by several agricultural communities. It is fed on the east by the Nagara, a river which in itself is of considerable importance.

On the east coast the rivers are not so large nor so numerous, but we notice the Kooti, with its wide. delta, extending over one hundred miles of coast. It was ascended by Major Muller, a Dutch officer, in 1825, and he had succeeded in crossing the mountains. and descending into the valley of the Kapooas, when he was murdered by the Dyaks. Further to the north lies the Pautai, or river of Beron.

(Adams's Eastern Archipelago.)

VEGETABLE AND ANIMAL KINGDOM.

The soil of Borneo is very fertile, producing all that has made Sumatra and Java so famous. The flora is extensive and varied, the forests abounding in all the valuable woods and plants of the tropics, while the cultivation of the rattan, bamboo, banana, betel nut, cocoanut, bread-fruit, sugar-cane, tobacco, cotton, lemon, orange, clove, rice, nutmeg, ginger and opium poppy are but a portion of the valuable products. The sago and date-palm, the ebony, gutta percha, toa, tomano, prima vera, sandal, camphor and cinnamon trees adorn the forests.

The animal and mineral kingdoms are well represented; the former embracing the elephant and hippopotami, the rhinoceros, tiger and panther, the ourangutan and the different species of the monkey tribe, roam through the vast forests or prowl among the jungles. In the latter kingdom we find gold, silver, lead, antimony, tin, iron and coal. The beds of many of the streams teem with that valuable gem, the diamond, mining for which has formed one of the industries on this island for ages.

Nor are the reptilian, finny or feathered species. without an extensive representation. The swamps, morasses and forests are the homes of the great python, descending the scale through numerous species. to the little coralilla, whose bite is certain death. The seas, rivers and bays teem with fish of all the species known in the tropics. Birds of the most beautiful and valuable plumage abound in the forest, while an endless variety of the aquatic kind frequent the pools, lakes and rivers.

DIAMOND MINING

One of the most valuable industries on the island of Borneo is diamond mining-a business followed in some countries for ages past. Borneo is not alone in her diamond-fields, as Sumatra, Australia and Tasmania have furnished some valuable gems. One found in the southwestern portion of Borneo, in the district of Mattan, and now in possession of the rajah of that region, weighs 367 carats, and is valued at something over $1,000,000.

Golconda, a district between Cape Cormorin and the Bay of Bengal, has been a celebrated diamondfield for ages past. Tavenier described a gem found in this region and taken possession of by the Great Mogul, as weighing 900 carats.

The diamond-fields of Brazil, located in the Sierra de Frio, in the province of Minas Geraes, were discovered in 1728. A gem found here, and now belonging to the king of Portugal, weighs 1,680 carats, valued by some experts at the modest sum of $28,000,000. As a carat in diamond weight is equal to the 150th part of an ounce Troy, and nearly the 137th part of an averdupois ounce, we have in this diamond a gem weighing nearly a pound Troy, and about fourfifths of a pound averdupois.

Brazil was for many years the principal diamond mining country, furnishing stones of great beauty and in great numbers to the world. In 1868 they were discovered in South Africa, where the district as far as known contains an area of 17,000 square miles. Many of the diamonds from this locality are of a yellowish cast, and not near so valuable as those found in other countries. The largest stone found