BORNEO

corrupted by the Portuguese from Brunt or Bumi, that is^ country, called by the natives Tanah Kalam an i in^ or PuUi Kalamantinf and likewise Dahah-Waruniy is, with exception of Australia, the largest island in the world. On the s. it is bounded by the Java Sea; on the x. by the Strait of Maca ar and the Sea of Celebes; on the N. by the Sooloo Sea^ and by the China Sea on the w. and N.w. Its circumference is about 8000, its greatest length 780, and its greatest breadth 690 miles; area estimated at 275,000 to 286,000 square miles. In former times only the coasts were known to Europe ans, but of late years part of the interior has been explored by various travellers, of whom Midler, Yon Xe el, St. John, and Wallace may be named. The rax^ of mountains of the crystalline formation on the K.E. coast, which terminates in the Kini-Balu, extends probably through the whole island. In regard to the rivers, we have only a partial knowledge of the lower part of their course. Among the* lakes which have been discovered are Sumbah and Seriang, in the 8.w. of the island; the existence of Lake Kini-Balu, near the mountain of the same name, is doubtful. In the districts on the coast the climate is hot and damp, and therefore extremely prejudicial to Europe ans, producing dysentery, intermittent fever, small-pox, and cholera. The rainy season lasts, on the w. coast, from November to May, and the thermometer, in the B., ranges from 82" to 93" Fahr. Borneo contains immense forests of iron-wood, teak, and other trees, besides producing various dye-woods, nutmegs; camphor, cinnamon, pepper, ginger, rice, cotton, bamboos, . Its fauna is likewise considerable, comprising elephants, rhinoceroses, leopards, bears, tigers, ounces, buffaloes, deer, and monkeys, likewise horses, swine, goats, sheep, dogs, and other domestic animals — among the birds, eagles, vultures, hawks, parrots, owls, birds of paradise, flamingoes, and peacocks. There are also snakes, lizards, tortoises, bees, silkworms, . The mineral productions consist of gold, antimony, iron, tin, and zinc in the interior and west, besides crystals and diamonds. The population is stated at about 3,000,000, probably an overestimate. They are divided into Malays, Dyaks, Papuans, Chinese, and Bugis, and there are also a few Javanese, Hindoos, and Arabs. The Malays, the predominating and most cultivated race on tiie sea-coast, po e great hardihood, but are extremely dangerous from tiieir covetous and vindictive disposition. The Dyaks, dwelling more towards the interior, were unquestion- VoL. L ably the earliest inhabitants of the island, and are a finely-formed raoe, of a yellow complexion, but savage and crueL The Papuans, or Negritos, are likewise probably aborigines, and occupy the most inacce ible forests and retreats, living in caves and on trees. The emigrant Chinese, numbering about 250,000, devote themselves to trade and mining. Lastiy, the Bugis, chiefly emigrants from Celebes, live among the Dyaks, and have become rich and powerful by commerce, and stUl more by piracy. It U only, the land on the coast which is well cultivated. Trade is in the hands of the Bugis, and exports in those of the Malays, the Dutdi, and the British, who, along with the Malays and Chinese, import opium, tea, and various manufactures. The south-western, southern, and eastern portions of the island, or about two-thirds of the whole, are po e ed by the Dutch, under whom are a number of semi independent princes. Among the native sovereignties may be mentioned the Kingdom of Sambas, on the w. coast, the sultan of which has several rajahs under him; and on the s. coast the Kingdom of Banjerma ing, with the town of Banjerma ing, containing a pop. of 80,000, and having a considerable trade. On the v.\f. coast is the Malay kingdom of Borneo or Bruni, sometimes called Borneo Proper, over which the Dutch do not claim jurisdiction. Its chief town is Bruni or Borneo, on the river' of the same name, a place of considerable trade, principally with Singapore, and the residence of the sidtan. In former times, the Kingdom of Borneo appears to have extended over the whole island and a part of the Philippines, and its monarchs are said to have been of Chinese origin. The Portuguese, who visited Borneo as early as 1518, were first allowed to settle at Banjerma ing in 1690, from which, however, they were soon expelled. The Dutch alone succeeded in concluding a oonmierdal treaty with the Prince of Banjerma ing, and in 1643 erected a fort and a factory at the village of Tatis; a second, in 1778, at Pontianak, and several others subsequentiy. In 1702 and 1774 the British attempted to form settlements in Borneo, but without succe . There is now, however, a state under English rule (tiiough not under the British crown) on the w. coast of the island, namely, Sarawak, founded by Sir James Brooke, while Labuan, an island off the N.w. coast, is a British colony. In 1857 an insurrection of the Chinese, accompanied with great atrocities, broke out in the British settlement of Sarawak, but was promptly suppre ed by Sir James Brooke, with the a istance of the Dyaks and Malays.