1210
MALACCA
mining enterprise in Malacca being virtually abandoned. A little tin mining still goes on in the Jasin district, and gold may possibly exist in very small quantities.
The climate of Malacca as to temperature is such as might be expected in a country not much more than 100 miles from the equator, lying along the sea shore-hot and moist. The thermometer in the shade ranges from 72° to 88° Fahrenheit, seldom being so low as the first of these, and not often higher than the last. The range of the barometer is only from 29.8 to 30.3 inches. Notwithstanding constant heat, much moisture, and many swamps, the town at least is remarkable for its salubrity, and, with the exception of the early period of its occupation by the Portuguese, has always enjoyed this reputation.
Malacca offers numerous attractions to the ornithologist and entomologist, but it is less rich in mammals than many other tropical districts. Nine species of quadrumana, the tiger, black leopard, wild cat, several species of viverrida (such as the musang and binturong), the elephant, one-horned rhinoceros, tapir, six species of deer, and two of the wild ox comprise a nearly complete list and, no doubt, at one time could be found, but no rhinoceros or elephant has been seen for many years, and wild oxen have not been heard of for over 30 years. Fair sport can be obtained by those fond of shooting, from tiger to snipe. It is noteworthy that the existence of the tapir was unknown until 1816, although European intercourse dates back to some three centuries before. Tigers in the early days of Portuguese occupation were so plentiful that the want of inhabitants was seriously attributed to this cause. As with the birds and insects, so with the reptiles. The snakes, lizards, and crocodiles are, as a rule, those of the peninsula generally, the birds alone presenting a rather larger variety than those of other districts. Nor does the vegetation present any exclusive features, being that of the surrounding States. The coast line is poor in shells, and the absence of limestone accounts for the few species of land shells found within the district.
Beyond its interest to the sportsman or naturalist, Malacca possesses no attrac- tions except to those who like to visit scenes famous in the annals of discovery for the bloody fights they have witnessed between the natives and the European nations who contended for their possession. Its population in 1918 was estimated at 152,000. There are about 300 European residents in the Settlement, of whom 250 or more are planters.
The trade is largely with Singapore and the Federated Malay States, but rubber is shipped fortnightly by Japanese Mail steamers to Europe. The cultivation of tapioca was formerly the principal industry, but rubber is now extensively planted, several large companies having taken over a number of small estates. The cultiva- tion of tapioca and gambier is declining rapidly in favour of coconuts and rubber, there being 183,050 acres under rubber and 48,133 acres growing coconuts, pineapple and other fruits. The amount of rubber exported was 12,337 tons in 1916, The total values of the foreign imports and exports for 1917 and 1918 (merchandise only) are given below:---
Imports Exports..
Tctal
DIRECTORY
1917 $10,092,432 16,796,200
$26,888,632
1918 $ 6,836,132
7,733,913
$14,570,045
ADAMSON, GILFILLAN & Co., LTD., Mer- chants--London, Singapore, Penang and Malacca
R. Dick Agencies
Peninsular & Oriental Steam Nav. Co. British India S. N. Co. (Apcar Line) American Asiatic S.S. Co., Ld. China Fire Insurance Co., Ld. Yangtze Insurance Association, Ld.
New Zealand Insurance Co., Ld. (Fire-
and Marine)
Standard Life Assurance Co. Excess Motor Insurance Co. Swedish East Asiatic Co., Ld. Prince Line of Steamers
Massey Harris, Ld. (Agricultural
Machinery)
B. F. Goodrich Co. Martell & Co. (Brandy).
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