Page:Journal of the Straits Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society (IA journalof192018871889roya).pdf/341

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tion of the Malays.

  • Pulau Khatib Bongsu. "Khatib"="a preacher," "Bongsu"="youngest-born," hence the island of a person of that name. This name has been fearfully corrupted in charts and maps, figuring as "Kitch Bungsee," "Kita Bangsa," &c.
  • Pulau Měrambong. "Rambong" is the kind of basket used by Bugis in Singapore for carrying pine-apple in, but Mr. D. F. A. Hervey suggests that the name is probably derived from the plant called "ambong-ambong," a seaside shrub with a white flower.
  • Pulau Misĕmút. Derived from "Sěmút" (ants).
  • Pulau Miskól. "Miskól" is the larger kind of water-vessel made from the coco-nut shell, and has a narrow orifice. The "Gayong" is shallower and is the half shell. Compare Těrumbu Gayong, a shoal not far from the island. The ordinary form of the word is "Sěkol" and the "Mi" in this and the other word (Misemut) would seem to be an affix peculiar to the bhasa Orang Laut.
  • Pulau Pések. "Pések" is a Bugis word meaning coins with holes in the middle. Compare "Pitis" and "Pichis."
  • Pulau Rĕnget. "Rĕnget" is the sand-fly (agas-agas), and signifies "mosquito" in some aboriginal dialects. It is also the name of a fresh water shell.
  • Pulau Să-Kíjang Bandéra, Să-Kíjang Pĕlĕpah=St. John's Island West and St. John's Island East, respectively. St. John's, as pointed out by Mr. W. E. Maxwell, is a corruption of "Sa-Kíjang." Să-Kíjang Bandéra is so called because there used to be a flagstaff there before it was moved to Mount Faber. In the map of the island (1885) Bandéra" is corrupted with "Berak"! "Pělěpah" are the fronds of a palm. These islands are supposed to be two roe-deer at which the "spear-reef" (Těrúmbu Sělígi) off Blakang Mati is being aimed.
  • Să-ranggong. Ranggong" is a kind of bird about the size of the adjutant and its description is as follows:—Black on back and white on breast, neck long, bill