Page:The New International Encyclopædia 1st ed. v. 03.djvu/361

* BORNEO. 321 BORNEO. Tieh mineral deposits are gold, diamonds, silver, platinum, mereury, tin, and antimony, to wliieh must he added petroleum, sulpliur, rock salt, marble, rock crystal, and porcelain-clay. Most of the streams appear to he auriferous. During the year the lowland average tem- ]>eratures range from 77° F. to 80° F., and the midsummer maximum seldom exceeds 95° F. The climate is, however, trying, on account of the great humidity of the air. The rainfall in Bonieo is enormoxis. On the west coast over KiO inches of rain falls in a year, and even in the ■drier districts 80 inches is received. There is, however, no actually dry period, such as occurs farther from the equator, except for accidental droughts. Thunder - storms are frequent and severe. The lowland climate is unhealthful for Europeans. The winds partake of hoth trade and monsoon characteristics. The rich fauna of Borneo belongs to the 51a- layan sub-region of the Oriental region of Wal- lace, and indicates past connection with the Con- tinent. Of the mammalia, the most typical are the apes and monkeys (the orang-outang and proboscis monkey), the elephant, rhinoceros, and tapir in limited areas, the honey-bear, wild cattle, wild pigs, deer (especially the 'mouse- deer'), flying lemurs, the feather- tailed tree- shrew, and several members of the cat family. Birds are numerous. The avifauna includes among other birds various hornbills, the argus pheasant, and the edible-nest swallow. Snakes are common, and in the waters of the lower re- gions dangerous crocodiles abound. The coast and inland waters abound in fish, some of which are dried and form an article of export. Butter- flies are very numerous and exceedingly beauti- ful; beetles, while abundant and of man3- species, are not so prominent. Insect pests are very annoying; mosquitoes and sand-Hies in the air, fire-ants on the ground, and leeches in the waters. The vegetation of Borneo is rich in species and lu.xuriant in growth. In the flooded regions the vegetation consists of tangled and matted reed and bush growth, which presents a marked contrast to the forests of the adjacent dry lands. Upward of fifty kinds of trees furnish timber; among them are the mohor, tappau, ironwood, ebony, sandalwood, and teakwood. Various trees furnish saps, gums, and resins, such as gutta - percha, camphor, and dragon's - blood. S'umcrous palms flourish; among others the Useful fan, cocoanut, and sago palm. Spices, nuts, and numerous tropical fruits are produced in profusion. Sugar-cane, cotton, and tobacco are cultivated extensively. In the mountain region rhododendrons grow in profusion, and ferns, orchids, and clinging plants are common, the huge piteher-plants deserving special men- tion. Politically, Borneo is divided into British Bor- neo and Dutch Borneo, the two being separated by the mountain barrier which extends from the central west coast in a northeasterly direc- tion nearly across the island. British Borneo consists of Saba, or British North Borneo, Bru- nei, and Sarawak. British North Borneo occu- pies the northern part of the island, .and extends from the eastern shore of Brunei Bay, on the northwestern coast, to the shore of Saint Lucia Bay, on the northeastern coast. It has an area of 31,106 square miles, a coast-line of nearly 1000 miles, and a mixed population of perhaps 175,- 000, only a few hundred of whom are Europeans. The chief town and seaport is Sandakan, situ- ated on a fine harbor of the same name, on the northeastern coast. Kudat. (Java, I'apar, and Silam are important stations. Vhilc this terri- tory is held by the British North Borneo Com- pany, which receives grants from the native sultans, yet since May 12, 1888, the British Gov- ernment has exercised a formal protectorate over it. The exports (180!)) amounted to $3,500,000, and the imports to .$-2,500,000. The revenue reaches nearly .$500,000. The chief products are timber, tobacco, rice, sago, coffee, spices, gums, sea and jungle produce. The Government issues its own paper notes and copper coinage, accounts being kept in dollars and cents. A marine cable connects Labuan (which was placed under the protectorate of the British North Borneo Com- pany in 1889), on the northwestern coast, with Singapore; and a telegraph-line to Sandakan places the capital in telegraphic communication with the civilized world. A railroad is being constructed from Brunei Bay to Jesselton. Brunei (Borneo) lies southwest of British North Borneo, occupies the coast as far west as Baram River, covers an area of 15,000 square miles, and has a mi.xed population of about 45.000. Its chief town is Brunei, on a bay of the same name. It is governed by a sultan of Brunei, but is under British protection. Brunei lias l>een c.illed the 'Venice of the East.' Its trade is of little importance, the chief article of export being sago. Sarawak lies southwest of Brunei, and ex- tends along the northwestern coast of Borneo for a distance of 400 miles, from Cape Baram to Cape Datu. Its southern limit is the watershed of the Krumbang and Klinkang mountains. It covers an area of about SO.OOO .square miles, and has a mi.xed population of about 600,000. The chief town is Kuching or Sarawak, with a population of 20.000. about 25 miles from the coast, on the Sarawak River. Sibu, on the Rejang River, which is navigated for some distance by large steamers, is another important town. The territory is governed by a rajah, but is under British protection. Commercially, Sarawak is of considerable importance, the import trade (1899) amounting to .$3,250,000, and the export trade to $4. .500.000, The Government Inidget amounts to about $850,000, the revenue being derived from both import and export duties and various personal taxes. The chief products are tol)acco, sago, rice, gums, colt'ee, spices, jungle produce, cious metals, diamonds, and mercury are found. Roth the Church of England and the Roman Catholic Church have established missions and built churohes. A boys' and girls' school has been established at Kuching. Dutch Borneo, which occupies the southern and most of the eastern part of the island, has a coast-line extending from Saint Lucia Bay (latitude 4° 10' N.) in northeast Borneo to Cape Datu on the west coast. It has an area of about 213,000 square miles and a population estimated to he 1,180,000. The country is divided into two residencies — West Borneo and South and East Borneo. The Dutch govern the country, so far as possible, through the native rulers. West Borneo embraces the valley of the Kapuas, and has great mountain ranges on the northern and
 * .nd dried fish. Coal is abundant, and the pre-