Page:Journal of the Straits Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society (IA journalofstra23241891roya).pdf/172

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Chelaka Derahka means that whosoever disobeys these orders shall be considered guilty of treason.

Whoever disobeys the aforesaid rules is liable to a fine not exceeding twenty-five dollars.

M. L.


ON THE OCCURRENCE OF A RHODODENDRON IN SINGAPORE.

In January of this year, while walking near the bungalow on the top of Bukit Timah with Lieutenant Kelsall, I observed in the upper branches of a lofty Dipterocarpous tree, probably a species of Shorea, an epiphytic plant with red flowers. On going to the foot of the tree we picked up several fallen blossoms, from which it was evident that the plant was a species of Rhododendron, and that, one not known to occur in the Malay Peninsula. The tree was about 150 feet high, and about 6 feet through, without a branch for fully 80 feet, so that it was by no means easy to reach it. The following plan was then adopted. A number of large spike nails were driven into the tree, and a pole lashed to them so as to form a ladder, for about a quarter of a distance. A Malay then ascended this with a further supply of nails, and a pulley block being fixed to the tree another pole was hauled up and made fast to the lower one. This was done again and again till the lowest branch was reached, and eventually the plant was lowered to the ground. There were two plants on the tree, which were transferred to the Botanic Gardens, where one remained a long time in flower. The plant is an exceedingly beautiful one, with clusters of nodding flowers about two inches long, of a beautiful crimson-red colour. It appears to be identical with one figured in the Botanical Magazine under the name of Rhododendron javanicum var. tubiflorum (Tab. 9850), difering only in the colour, which in the picture is a very dull red. The plant from which this drawing was made was ob-