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.
