# Journal of the Indian Archipelago and Eastern Asia/Series 1/Volume 1

THE
JOURNAL
OF THE
INDIAN ARCHIPELAGO
AND
EASTERN ASIA.
VOL. I.
SINGAPORE:
Printed at the Mission Press.
1847.

## CONTENTS.

I.
The Present Condition of the Indian Archipelago, by J. R. Logan, Member of the Asiatic Society, Corresponding Member of the Batavian Society of Arts and Sciences. ... 1-21.
Physical relation of the Archipelago to the Continent of Asia, 2.— Hypothesis of their former connection, 3.— Influence of its geological developement on the distribution and form of the islands, on climate, and vegetation, 4.— Luxuriance of the latter, character thereby given to the small islands, 5.— to the mountains, 5.— Change caused by volcanic eruptions, 6.— Forests of the Archipelago, 7, their character, 7.— Wild animals, 8.— The life of the sea marshes, beaches, and banks, 8-9.— Testimony of naturalists to the exuberance and beauty of animal and vegetable life, 9.— Influence of the physical, on the human, history of the region; population an extension of that of the continent, 9-10.— Two great eras in its civil history. Wild nomades of the forests and the sea, id.— Hindu civilization, 11.— Mahomedan, id.— Rise of dominant nations id.— European influence, id.— Great diversity of tribes, languages, customs, and forms of government, 12.— Human life and industry in the Archipelago at the present day, 12-14.— Great piratical communities, 14-15.— Slave trade, id.— Social and personal condition of the inhabitants, 15-16.— Present degeneracy of the governments from the influence of the European dominations—foreign elements of change—means of amelioration— duty of England, 17-21.
II.
Gutta Percha, by T. Oxley, Esq., A. B., Senior Surgeon of the Settlement of Prince of Wales' Island, Singapore and Malacca. ... 22-29.
Discovery of the Gutta by Europeans, 22.— Botanical description, 22-23.— Range, habitat, mode of procuring, 24.— Properties, uses, application to surgery, 26.— Great superiority to bandages and splints in cases of fracture, &c., 26-28.— Capsules for vaccine virus. 28-29.— Patents in England for cleaning the gutta and removing its acidity—means of procuring it pure where it is produced, 29.
III.
Some Remarks on the Dyaks of Banjarmassing. ... 30-31.
Character; dress; tatooing, 30.— Ornaments; feasts, drinking: Death-feast, Blians, Olo maga lian, 31.— Omens from flight of Birds—Sacrifices from dreams, 32.— Misfortunes 33.— Human sacrifices, 33.— Industry, kottas, population of Pulopetak, 31.
IV.
Annual Remittances by Chinese Immigrants to their Families in China. ... 35-37.
V.
Shair Bidasari: A Malay Poem, with an English Translation and Notes, by J. R. Logan. ... 38-48.
VI.
Details respecting Cochin China, by Mgr. Le Fevre, Bishop of Isauropolis and Vicar Apostolic of Lower Cochin China. 49-65,109-118.
Formation of the Monarchy, 49— Kings, 50.— Geographical position and divisions, 51.– Rivers, 53.— Mountains, ib.— Minerals, 54.— Climate, ib.— Plants, 56.— Animals, ib.— Harbours, 57.— Towns, 58— Population 59.— Taxes, ib.— Inhabitants,60.— Dress, 62.— Manners and customs, 63.— Houses and Food, ib.— Condition of the Women, 63.— Arts and Sciences, 65 Government, King, Mandarins, Laws, Army, Identity in usages, &c., with the Chinese, 109-112— Language, character, grammar sounds, 112-115.— Religion and state of the Christian religion in Cochin China, 115-117.— Missionaries, 117-118.
VII.
Some Contributions to the Natural History of the Rafflesia Patma, by the Heer Zollinger, M. B. S. &c. ... 66.
Habitat, size, superstitious and medicinal uses by the Javanese.
VIII.
A Glance at Rhio: by J. T. Thomson, Esq., Hon. M. Newcastle Nat Hist. Soc., Surveyor to Government: 61-74.
Position 68.— Shape and Coasts of the Island of Bin tang, ib.— Description of the town of Rhio, 69.— Gambling houses and policy of Gambling Farms, 70.— Pulo Piningat, the residence of the Rajah Muda, ceremonies on the marriage of his son, 71-72.— Geology of Bintang, 73-74.
IX.
Contributions to the Statistics of the Population of Java: by P Bleeker, Mem. Dir. and Sec. Bat. Soc.; Med. Serv. Neth. India. ... 75-76.
X.
Notes on the Geological Features of Singapore and some of the Islands Adjacent: by Lieut.-Colonel Low, C.M.R.A.S. & M.A.S.C. ... 81-100.
The Granite of Singapore, p. 84-6.— Sandstone and Clayey strata, their elevation, disruption, analogy in position to the new Red sandstone, included nodules, &c., 86-90.— Absence of coal, coal of Borneo, of the Malay Peninsula N. of Pinang, 90-91.— Composition of the sandstones and their soils, 91-92.— Peaty matter, clays, and sand of the plain and vallies, 92-93.— The Ironstone, compared with the laterite of Malabar &c., 93-97.— Pulo Timmukul, P. Chikukoh, 99.— Blakang Mati, P. Tokong, P. Buah Saga, P. Ubi, 98.— P. Panjang, Batu Berlayer, 99-100.
XI.
Description of Karrang Bullong (in Java) and of the Bird's Nest Rocks there. ... 101-108.
Karrang Bollong, residency, fish ponds, temperature, population, 101-102.— sacrifices and ceremonies on gathering the Bird nests, mode of descendings into the Caves and procuring the nests, the swallow, &c. 102-108.
XII.
Narrative of the Events Connected with the Arrest of the Right Rev. Mgr. Le Fevre, Bishop of Isauropolis and Vicar Apostolic of Lower Cochin China, by the Cochin Chinese Govt. in 1846, 119-126.
XIII.
Temminck's General view of the Dutch Possessions in the Indian Archipelago. ... 120-149, 183-222.
Present administration, Cultures and Finances of Netherlands India, Population of Java and Madura, Batavia, 129.— administration of the interiour, Dhemang, Pannatoes, A'dhipati, Pangeran, Kabutans, and Residencies, 131.— disturbance of the system by great European proprietors, 132.— tenure of land, state services, 133.— land tax, 134— vindication of the system of administration 135-6.— General Government, Governor General, Council of the Indies, Governors of Sumatra, Borneo and Celebes, 136.— Courts and Laws, 139.— Orphan Chambers, 138.— Finances, 138. Ecclesiastical system, Education, Sciences, Batavian Society, Navy, Army, 141-142.— Pacific and ameliorating policy of the Government, 143-4. Revenue, 183.— Expenditure, 184.— System of Cultures, village organization, 185.— System of the old Company, 186,— of General Daendels, 188,— of the British, 189,— of Baron van der Capellen, id,— of General van der Bosch, 192,— Principle of the present system, its operation, and results to the natives, 193-196.— Different Cultures, Rice 197.— Coffee, 199.— Sugar, 200.— Indigo, 201.— Cinnamon, 202.— Cochineal, 202.— Cloves, Pepper, Tobacco, Tea, 203.— Silk, Cotton, 201.— Forests, 205.— Agricultural penitentiary institution, id.— Breeding of Cattle, ib. Camels, 206.— Horses, Model Stud, ib.— Trade Exports in 1826, 206,— in 1835, 207.— in 1841, and 1843, 208.— Imports in 1835, ib.— Exports in 1835, 210-11.— Imports in 1843, 212, 13.— Exports in 1843, 213, 15.— Shipping; 215, 17.— Financial Statement for 1844, and Comparison of Imports and Exports for 1843 and 1841, 217, 20.— Great development of agriculture and trade since 1830, present flourishing and advancing state of Java, 220, 223.
XIV.
Notes on the Coal Deposits which have been Discovered Along the Siamese Coast from Pinang to the Vicinity oF Junkceylon. by Lieut Colonel Low, M.A.S.C. & C.M.R.A.S. ... 146-149.
Visit to the coal district.— Kayu Kamuning coal, 146.— Pulo Tiga ib., 146-7.— Anthracitic coal, 147.— Tama coal, id.— Last coal, 149.
XV.
Discovery of Coal in Ligor and Kedah on the West Coast of the Malay Peninsula, by J. R. Logan. ... 151-168.
Characters of the coal first discovered, 151.— Analogous coal from Rettie in Sumatra, 153.— The Gurbic or Temah coal and associated beds, ib. Professor Ansted's remarks on the first coal, 154.— Correspondence between the Governor of the Straits and the Govt. and Dr. O'Shaughnessy's report on this coal, 155-160.— Later search and discovery of coal near S. Kayu Kamuning, 160.— Character of this coal, 161.— Lapidified portions, passage of jet into crystals of silex, 162-4.— Iron pyrites, 164.— metamorphic process similar to that suffered by rocks of Cape Rachado &c, ib. Analogy to Singapore anthracite, 165.— Plutonic deterioration of the coal of the Peninsula, ib.— overlying iron masked layer, hydrated peroxide of iron resulting from the decomposition of pyrites, same in granites of Pulo Besar near Malacca, and ferruginous dyke in granite of P. Mallang, 166-7.— Calcareous associated beds at Tama, fresh water shells— Further information required, 167-8.
XVI.
Introductory Remarks to a Series of Contributions to the Ethnology of the Indian Archipelago, by J. R. Logan. ... 171-182.
Materials presented by the Archipelago for ascertaining the elementary principles of ethnology, 171.— limit of identity in the development of races, 172.— causes of the spontaneous and natural growth of language, 173.— Its value in comparative ethnography compared with that of habits and customs, 174.— historical value of the latter 175.— necessity for minuteness and exactness of observation, 176.— importance of the ethnography of surrounding nations, 178.— Mr. Crawfurd's rejection of the notion of a Polynesian language prevailing, from Madagascar to Eastern island, ib. note,— humanizing and illuminating influence of ethnic enquiries,— language the grand evidence of the similarity of human life in all nations, 180.— necessity of compiling vocabularies, 182.
XVII.
A few Remarks on Conchology and Malachology, comprising brief notices of some of the more remarkable " Testacca" in Singapore and its neighbourhood; with an appended catalogue of Singapore Shells arranged in conformity with Lammarck's System, by Wm. Traill, M. D. ... 225-241.
Prefatory remarks, 225-226.— Paucity of larger shells, 228.— Greater ​abundance and size around islands south of Singapore. id.— Shell fish used as food, 230.— Tendency to form varieties, id.— Shells most abundant, 232.— Notices of particular shells, Magilus antiquus, 233.— Lima, Parinaphora, 234. Planorbis, Natica, 235.— Cerithium lineolatum, 236, Cypræa tigris, C. olivacea, C. adusta, 237.— Echina, 238.— Catalogue of the shells of Singapore and its vicinity, 239-241.
XVIII.
The Orang Binua of Johore, by J. R. Logan. ... 242-293.
Introductory, journey through Johore, discoveries, 242-5.— The country of the Binua, id. of the Bermun tribes i.e. Udai, Jákun, Mintira, Sakai and Besisi, 249-9.— Physical characteristics, expression, and manner of the Binua, 249-252.— Dress, 252.— Houses and household goods, 258. Food and Industry, 254.— Ladangs, cultivated and wild vegetables, 254-6.— Fish and fishing, game and hunting, wild hogs, 256.— Deer, monkeys, snakes, snares for large animals, 257.— Birds, wild fruits, 258.— Durian groves, 259.— Great arrack tampui feast of the Mintira, 260.— Collection of forest produce for Malays, 261.— Taban (Gitta Percha) abundance, mode of procuring, &c. 261-3.— Camphor and camphor language, 263-6.— Condition, character and manners. Radical affinity to Malays, 266-70.— Marriage, Birth, Burial, 270-1.— Additional remarks on agriculture, arts, &c., impliments, canoes, sumpitans 271.— War, invasion of the Mintira by the Rawa from Menangkabau, 273.— Government, crimes, punishments, inheritance, 274.— Religion, Pirman, Jin Bumi, Jewajewa, Poyangs, incantations, 275-7.— Medicines, 277.— Origin of the country and race, 277.— Analogy of religion and traditions to those of the Battas and Dyaks and probable Hindu origin of former, 279-283.— Ideas respecting some natural phenomena &c. sun, moon, and stars, eclipses, shape of earth, clouds and rain, division of time, dread of small pox, of the sea &c., 283-5.— The present relation of the Malays to the Binuas, 285-8.— Language, 289.-Absorption of the race by the Malays, Comparison of the Binuas, Battas, Dyaks and Malays, 290-293.
XIX.
Physical Characteristics of the Mintira, by J. R. Logan, ... 294-5.
XX.
The Orang Sabimba of the Extremity of the Malay peninsula, by J. R. Logan, 295-298.
Tradition of origin, 296.— food, wild fruits, roots and leaves, ib.— The cock prohibited ib.— Marriage, death, graves, adultery, dreams, 297.— Child birth, 298— Physical characteristics, ib.
XXI.
The Orang Biduanda Kallang of the River Pulai in Johore, by J. R. Logan. 299-302.
Habits, medicines, burial, &c., 300.— Physical characteristics, 301-2.
XXII.
The Orang Sletar of the Rivers and Creeks of the Old Strait and Estuary of the Johore, by J. R. Logan. ... 302.
XXIII.
Table of Measurements illustrative of the physical peculiarities of the Mintira, Biduanda Kallang, and Sabimba, by J. R. Logan. ... 305.
XXIV.
The Superstitions of the Mintira, with some additional remarks on their customs &c., by J. R. Logan. 307-331*
Hantu or Spirits of Disease &c., 307.— Spells, tuju, 308.— Incantations and Invocatios, 308.— for Defence (Pendinding), 309.— Love (Pengaseh), 310.— Sweetness (Pimánis), 311.— Subjection of others (Pánundo), 312.— Abasing of others (Chucha), 313.— Rendering enemies speechless (Pemátá Lida,) 314.— Hatred (Pebinchi) 315.— Spells used in attacking elephants, 316.— Id. to allay Storms, 317.— For safety in the Forest id., for expelling spirits of disease, 318.— Amulets, 318.— Wishing Places, id.— Superstitions of Cultivation, ceremonics and charms on selecting ground, cutting forest, planting or sowing and reaping rice, 320-2*.— Marriage, 322*.— Birth and naming, 323-5.— Burial, 325*.— World beyond the Grave, id.— Traditional traces of Origin, 326*. The relation of the Malays to the Mintira 328*.— Orang Rawa of Sumatra, their annual immigrations into the Malay Peninsula, growing power, and oppression of the Mintira id.— Miscellaneous Remarks, constitution of society, training of children, measures, music, weapons, diseases, fruit used, varieties of paddy 330-1*.
XXV.
Visit of a Party of Orang Mintira to Singapore, by J. R. Logan. ... 330-6.*
XXVI.
The Ethnology of the Johore archipelago, by J. R. Logan. ... 336*-40*
Description of the Archipelago, names of tribes, 336*.— Pulo Battam and its tribes id.-337*.
I. The Orang Muka Kuning of Battam, habits, industry, 337*.— Religion confusion of religions, marriage, 338*.— Names, graves, physical peculiarities, 339-340*.
XXVII.
Remarks on the Sleter & Sabimba Tribes: by J. T. Thomson, Esq. Hon. M. N. H. S. of Newcastle. ... 341*-351*.
Two boats of orang Sletar visit the Gunboat, their appearance and man​ners 341*-2*.— Number, language, implements and food of the tribe 343*— Customs, births, marriages, boats, 344*.— Personal characteristics, origin of tribe 345*.— Names, 346*.— Similarity to the Biduanda Kallagn, id.— Physical peculiarities 317*.— Orang Sabimba, their food, sumpitans, atheism, marriages, 348*.— Language, names, ethnographical importance of proper names, personal appearance, call for Christian Missionaries, 349*.— Description of plates, method of exhibiting the proportions of the different parts of the head geometrically 350*-1*.
XXVIII.
Examination of the Coast of the Peninsula from P. Mutiara to P. Panjang in search of Coal deposits in November 1847, by Captain Congalton, Commander of the H.E.I.C. Steamer "Hooghly. ... 353*–358*.
Examination of P. Mutiárá 353*, Tanjong Patong, coal found, 354*-5*.— Tánjong Bombong, 356*.— P. Lontár, id.— Tamá, Tánjong Pútri, P. Pánjang, P. Bouton, 357*.— Low’s Island and other islets to the northward of Purlis 358*.— General results, id.
XXIX.
The Laws of the Indian Archipelago and Eastern Asia, by J. R. Logan. ... 321–326.
XXX.
On the Laws of Muung Thai or Siam, by Lieut. Colonel James Low, C.M.R.A.S. & M.A.S.C. &c., ... 328–426.
Arrangement of Subject, Powers of Letters, 328.— Introductory Chapter 329.— Interest of the subject, 329.— Digests, 331.
Chap. I. On Property, The Soil, 335.— Land tax, 336.— Annual ploughing festival & other singular customs, 338-9.— Omens, spirit of the paddy, 340.— Agricultural system, 341.—Gardens, 342,
Chap. II. Inheritance of Property, 344,
Chap. III. Widows and their Property, 347.— Four classes of Wives, 348.— Age of marriage, 349.— Forbidden degrees, intermarriage with other races, id.— King may marry his sister or daughter, 350.
Chap. IV. Inheritance of Courtiers and other officers of Government, restrictions on their power of bequeathing, portions of widows of different ranks 351,-2.— power of husband to pledge wife. 352,-3.
Chap. V. Inheritance of Property as regards the Priesthood, Privileges of a Priest, 354.— his dress and possessions, 355.-6.— Brahmins, 356.— Number of priests, 357.— Purgatory, id.— Apostacy, id.— Public charities, beggars, 358.
Chap. VI. Testamentary Power, 359.
Chav. VII. Exclusion from property and Inheritance, 361.— Arbitration, id.— Obsequies and Superstitions. Superstitions practises relating to pregnancy, 361.— To women dying in child birth, id.— Adoption, 362.— Attendance of Priest on the sick, Bali formulæ repeated, 363.— Ceremonies on death, feast and entertainments, 364-5,— Burning of the body, 366,— Cenotaphs, id.— Superstitions connected with them—offerings at tombs of ancestors, 397,— Bali funeral Ritual, 368. ​Chap. VIII. Gifts 369.— private id.— From governors of Provinces, 370.— Foreign States. Tribute, gold and silver flowers, mode of receiving Ambassadors, 371.
Chap. IX. Marriage, 372.— Polygamy, age of marriage, id.— Preliminaries, feasts and games, the ceremony, 373.— Bali Formulæ repeated 374.— Character of Siamese wives, 375.— Position and habits of Women in Siam, 386.— Chapters relating to women in the P,hra Sara samkra, 377.— Reciprocal duties of husband and wife from the Meeleenthara, ib.
Chap. X. The parental authority, and obligations of the various members of a family to each other, 379.— Training, education, 379-382.— Etiquette, 381.— education of females, 382.
Chap. XI. Slavery, 384.— Condition of slaves, ib.
Chap. XII, Interest for money, 300— Deposits ib.— Cham nam or pledges, 391.— Wages, 392.— Copartnership, ib.— Sales, ib.— Contracts, 393.— Ceremonies and oath on entering into secrect compacts for desperate purposes, ib.
Chap. XIII. Tattang or administration of Justice, 394.— Tatsamo-an, of Judges and their corrupt practises, ib.— Mode of procedure, 396-7.— Courts of Judicature, 398.— Different orders of law officers; 399-401.— Justiciary forms, 401.— Expences of process, 403.
Chap. XIV. Criminal law, 404.— Tortures, 405.— Evidence, proof by ordeal, 405.— Classes of persons excluded from being witnesses and reasons of exclusion, 407~14.— Oath taken by witnesses, 414-15.
Chap. XV. Of specific crimes and their punishments, 416.— Modes of punishment, ib.— Murder, ib.— Inquests, 417.— The tongok for securing prisoners, id.— Instruments of torture, 418.— Theft, id.— Police system, 419.— Charms used by thieves, 420.— Assaults, threats to wound, striking parents, 421.
Chap. XVI. Adultery, 422.— Punishment of adulteress, id.— Scale of fines, 423— Separation and divorce, 424.— Elopements, 424-5.
Chap. XVII Prisons, 426.— Killing animals, id.— Prohibitions, ib.— Practice, ib.— Invocation of the spirit before killing, ib.— Manslaughter, 327.— Suicide, ib.— Punishment of presumptive guilt, 428.— Of relatives Of rebels, ib.— Effect of confession, ib.— Amusing judicial case from the Bali, 428-9.
[For many incidental notices of Siamese life, manners, customs, superstitions &c., contained in this paper, see INDEX I. voce Siam.]
XXXI.
Miscellaneous Notices, Contributions, and Correspondence:
Earthquake in Java, 77.— The Tin Mines of Malacca, letter from L. NEUBRONNER, Esq., ib.— Gutta Percha, Memorandum by Dr. d’ALMEIDA, 78,— Specimens of Coal from Labuan, Pulo Chirmin, Borneo Proper, and Formosa, 78-80.— Specimens of Rocks from Pulo Ladda, Pulo Lankawi and the Mainland of the Peniusula between Kiddah and Junkceylon, 80-81.— Specimens of Gold from Pankallang Bukit, and of Gold and Tin from Gunong in Johore, 81,— Case of Poisoning by Mushrooms, 81-82. Earthquake and eruption in Ternate, 168.— Falling in of a mountain in Timor, ib.— Correspondence, ib.
Malay Pantuns, 150, 924*
INDEX. 431.
I. General Index.
II. Index of Names, and Glossary.
Note explanatory of the Index.
The Index has been prepared under a conviction that the permanent value of a work like this depends greatly upon the facility with which the information which it contains can be referred to. Although the table of contents is unusually full, it is, from its nature, insofar defective that the reader cannot ascertain, at a glance, what information the volume contains on any particular subject. This defect is remedied by the Index, which will also be found of great utility for purposes of comparison. The ethnographical enquirer, for instance, desirous of comparing the customs of the different nations and tribes described as to marriage, burial, &c., is enabled by the Index to do so by reference to those heads. While our knowledge of the Archipelago remains, as at present, in its infancy, and we possess neither a general gazetteer, nor even the geography of any one island, and have no complete vocabulary of a single language, it appears expedient to introduce into the Index the names of places, plants, animals &c., occuring in the volume, and also those of men, offices, human arts &c., The Malayan names of Malayan objects are more familiar to local writers than any equivalents which could be found for them in their own language, and they are hence sometimes mentioned without any explanation. In such cases the Index will supply the omission.
For easier reference the matter of the Index has been divided into two parts. The first, under the title General Index, contains 1st. an alphabetically arranged summary of the volume more minute than the table of contents, but refering to it when practicable, as under the heads Cochin China, Binua &c., where it seemed inexpediant to repeat the full analysis of the papers on those subjects given in the Contents, 2nd. a reference under the general titles, Ethnology, Geology, Geography, Arts, Customs &c., to all the notices appertaining to cach of these divisions of knowledge. The title of the second part, Index of Names and Glossary, explains itself. In itself it will be found to possess considerable ethnological value by bringing together names of "persons, places and things" used by different tribes, and thus facilitating comparison.