flavour. One of the most esteemed of all is “ pisang
rajah,” or king of bananas, a larger fruit, also of a deep
golden colour, the flavour being very luscious. “ Pisang
hijau,” the green banana, is slender and angular, hut the
straw-coloured pulp is of a most exquisite flavour, and it
is quite a favourite in Singapore, where the “ rajah”
variety is comparatively scarce. “ Pisang kling ” is a
pale yellow kind, bearing large smooth fruits, and for
eating with cheese this is one of the best, being less sweet
than those just named. A large horned variety of banana
is common in Borneo, called of the natives “ pisang tan-
dock,” the individual fruits being a foot long and two
inches in diameter. The outer skin is green, changing
to yellow when fully ripe, and this fruit is liked by those
who do not relish the sweeter kinds.
These fruits are largely eaten by natives, and they may
he cooked in a variety of ways. Banana fritters is a
common Eastern dish, and stewed bananas in syrup are
accounted delicious by lovers of sweet things, and pisang
kling is really a nice substitute for bread when eaten
with cheese.
CHAPTER XYI.
NOTES ON TROPICAL TRAVEL.
Hints on travel—Food snpplies—Bathing—Medicines—Modes of travelling—
Shelter — Resting-places—Barter—Articles for exchange—
Arms in a "wild land— Products of the island — Prospects of
Borneo.
T he traveller who finds himseif for the first time in a
wild tropical country devoid of roads, railways, horses,
bridges, hotels, and Europeans, may be excused if he feels
a little anxious when called upon to make an expedition
which will require several weeks to accomplish on foot,
and during which time nearly all necessaries must be
carried by the party en route. A party of say twenty
natives will require a clear head to manage it rightly, and
it is only by maintaining a system that the thing can be
conveniently done. The main points to be considered
may he tabulated thus :—
Health. Bathing. Boating.
Food. Packing. Barter.
Clothing. Foraging. Shelter.
Cooking. Walking. Fire-lighting.
Medicines. Riding. Arms.
Health is best preserved by regular habits, taking care
to avoid chills by wearing flannel next to the skin, and