BORNEO (called by the natives Palo Kalamantin or Klemantin, which is the name of an indigenous fruit), next to Australia and Papua, the largest island in the world, is situated in the Indian archipelago. in 7' n. to 4° 20' s. lat.. and 106° 40' to 116' 46' c. long. It is bounded on the c. by the sett of Celebes and the Macassar strait, s. by the sea of Java, w. and u. by ine gulf of Siam and tne China sea. Its length is about SOO m., with a breadth of 700, and an area of about 300.000 sq.miles. The pop. is under 2,000.000. The largest part. ruled by the Dutch, had, in 1873. 457 Europeans and 1,233,187 natives; the independent kingdom of Borneo or Brune, in the n., between Sambas and Malmiu, 225,000; Sarawak, 50,000; and the unexplored regions of the interior are sparsely peopled. The coasts of B., which are often low and marshy, and rendered dangerous to navigation by numerous islets and rocks, present no deep indenta tions, though they are pierced by numerous small bays and creeks. Two chains of moun tains run through the island in a nearly parallel direction from s.w. to 11.0.; the one rising in Sarawak (q.v.) gradually increases in elevation until it attains, in its termination in Mt. Kini Balu, ou the n.e. coast, a height of 13,698 ft.; a cross chain, branching, off in nbont lat. 2" n., extends inn s.e. direction through Banjermassin (q.v.). The other range, which is much lower, Intersects the equator in long. 113' e. Between are well-wate•ed plains. B. has tine rivers, especially on the n. and w. coasts. About their upper courses, how ever, little is known. The principal arc: on the n., the BrunaI or Borneo, the Retljang, Baram. Bintnln, Sintbas, Batang-Lupar, and Sarawak; on the e.. the KuteY or 3Ialmk kan, Bulungan and Kuran. or Bern. The Barito, or river of Banjermassin, Kaliaijan, Kapnas-Murting, Mendawei, Sampit, and other smaller streams. flow through the part; while the Pontianak, or Kapuas-Bohang. Sambas, Simpang, Succadana, and Pawan, are the most important on the west. All the rivers of B. have banks at their mouths. which render them unfit for large ships; the Brune, however, is navigable Li m. for vessels of considerable tonnage. There are numerous lakes, abounding in fish, the largest being Kini Balu, s.e. of the mountain of the same name, 100 m. in circiiig.
ference, beautified with islands, and having many Dyak villages on its bank. The climate, in the low grounds, is humid. hot, and unhealthy for Europeans; but in the higher parts towards the n. .the temperature is generally moderate. the thermometer at noon varying from 81° to 91° F. During the rainy season, from Nov. to May heavy. storms of wind and loud thunder are experienced on the w. coast. Vegetation is extremely luxuriant. The forests produce iron-wood, teak, gutta-percha, ebony, sandal wood, rattans, dye-woods, benzoin. wax, dragon's blood. sago, various resins, vegetable oils, and gums. The camphor is the in Asia, of which 4500 lbs. are exported annually. The mohor tree, well adapted for making native boats, attains is height of 80 ft., and the Kaladang, suited for large masts, to 200. Nutmegs, cloves, cinnamon, pepper, betel, ginger, rice, millet, sweet potatoes, yams, cotton, sugar-cane. indigo, tobacco, coffee. melons, citrons, pine-apples, banannas, cocca-nuts, etc., are largely grown. The mountains and forests contain many monkeys, among which is the orang outang. Tapirs, tigers, bears. swine, wild oxen, and various kinds of deer abound. The elephant is only found on the n. coast, and the rhinoceros on the n.w. The few domesticated animals are buffaloes, sheep, goats, dogs, and cats. A few horses are seen in Banjermassin. The birds are remarkable for their plumage. The principal are eagles, vultdres, Argus-pheasants, peacocks, flamingoes, pigeons, parrots, and the swal lows (co/focal/a escukrna) which construct the edible nests prized by the Chinese for soup. The rivers, lakes, and lagoons swarm with crocodiles, and many kinds of snakes. frogs. lizards, and leeches. Fish is plentiful, t.nd the coasts are rich in tortoises, pearl-Musse13. oysters, and bilche-de-mer, or trepang. Brilliant butterflies and moths are in great variety, and silk-worms are found. Among the mineral products are coal, gold, antimony, iron, tin. plating, nickel, diamonds, precious stones, rock crystals, porcelain:clay, petroleum, and sulphur. The diamond mines are chiefly in Landak and Pontianak (q.v.); Sambas produces the greatest quantity of gold; the king dom of Bruniff. Kula and Banjermassin, the largest amount of coal.