6 8 BATCH I AN. [ c h a p . x x iv .
Among my insects the best were the rare Pieris aruna, of
a rich chrome yellow colour, with a black border and
remarkable white antennae—perhaps the very finest butterfly
of the genus; and a large black wasp-like insect,
with immense jaw-s like a stag-beetle, which has been
named Megaehile pluto by Mr. F. Smith. I collected
about a hundred speoies of beetles quite new to me, but
mostly very, minute, and, also many rare and handsome
ones which I had already found in Batchian. On the
whole I was tolerably satisfied with my seventeen days’
excursion, which was a very agreeable one, and enabled
me to see a good deal of the island. I had hired a roomy
boat,, and brought with me a small table and my rattan
chair. These were great comforts, as, wherever there was
a roof, I could immediately instal myself, and work and
eat at ease. When I. could not find accommodation on
shore I slept in the boat, which was always drawn up
on the beach if we stayed for a few days at one spot.
On my return to- Batchian I packed up my collections,
and prepared for my return to Ternate. When I first
came I had sent back my boat by the pilot,, with two or
three other men who had been glad of the- opportunity.
I now took advantage of a Government boat which had
just arrived with rice for the troops, and obtained permission
to return in her, and accordingly started on the
13th of April, having resided only a week short of six
[chap. xxiv.] RETURN IN A “ KORA-KORA.” 69
Lonths on the island of Batchian. The boat was one of
Bthe kind called “ Kora-kora,” quite open, very low, and
■about four tons burthen. It had outriggers of bamboo
I [about five feet off each side, which supported a bamboo
I [platform extending the whole length of the vessel. On
■the extreme outside of this sit the twenty rowers, while
■within was a convenient passage fore and aft. The middle
■portion of the boat was covered with a thatch-house, in
■which baggage and passengers are stowed; the gunwale
I was not more than a foot above water, and from the great
■ top and side weight, and general clumsiness, these boats
I are dangerous in heavy weather, and are not unfrequently
I lost. A triangle mast and mat sail carried us on when
I the wind was favourable, which (as usual) it never was,
I although, according to the monsoon, it ought to have been.
I Our water, carried in bamboos, would only last two days,
I and as the voyage occupied seven, we had to touch at
I a great many places. The captain was not very energetic,
I and the men rowed as little as they pleased, or we might
I have reached Ternate in three days, having had fine
I weather and little wind all the way.
There were several passengers besides myself : three
I or four Javanese soldiers, two convicts whose time had
I expired (one, curiously enough, being the man who had
I stolen my cash-box and keys), the schoolmaster’s wife
I and a servant going on a visit to Ternate, and a Chinese