ON THE VEGETATION OF MALAYSIA. By the Rev. J. E. Tenison-Woods, F.L.S., F.G.S., Hon. Member Royal Asiatic Society (Straits Branch). (Plates i.-ix.) The following essay being meant for the European residents of the Straits Settlements, technicalities are avoided, and explanations given which would not be necessary if it were addressed to a strictly scientific class of readers. In the absence of any pub-lished description of the flora, the figures given must be understood to be approximate only. The whole review of the vegetation is founded on my own observations aided by collections made in company with the Rev. B. Scortechini, or during my own subse-quent travels. Though the essay is said to be confined to the flora of Malaysia and deals principally with what may be considered the very heart of the region, it must be borne in mind that some portions of it are little known. Yet in a general Avay the floras of the countries around are well-known. Thus we are fairly well acquainted with the flora of Burmah as well as that of Siam, Cochin China, Cambodia or Tonquin. The Australian region to the south is as well known as any in the world. New Guinea has recently disclosed some of the secrets of its vegetation ; therefore a general review of the flora of Malaysia ought to be easy to make without much risk of error. Geographical Limits. — Of the Malay Peninsula no more is here included than the portion south of lat. 5° 30' N. This is its broadest part and includes many varieties of soil and climate. A few preliminary words are necessary as to — (1) The Physical Geography ; (2) Geology ; (3) Climate of this region.
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