During the year the lowland average tem peratures range from 77° F. to 50° F.. and the midsummer maximum seldom exceeds 95° F. The climate is, however. trying, on account of the great humidity of the air. The rainfall in Borneo is enormous. On the west coast over 160 inches of rain falls in a year, and even in the •drier districts SO inches is received. There is, however, no actually dry period. such as occurs farther from the equator. except for accidental droughts. Thunder - storms are frequent and severe. The lowland climate is unhealthful for Europeans. The winds partake of both trade and monsoon characteristics.
The rich fauna of Borneo belongs to the Ma layan sub-region of the Oriental region of Wal lace, and indicates past connection with the Con tinent. Of the mammalia. the most typical are the apes and monkeys (the orang-outang and proboscis monkey), the elephant, rhinoceros, and tapir in limited areas, the honey-bear, wild cattle, wild pigs. deer (especially the 'mouse deer'), flying lemurs. the feather-tailed tree shrew, and several members of the eat family. Birds are numerous. The avifauna includes among other birds various hornbills, the argus pheasant. and the edible-nest swallow. Snakes are common, and in the waters of the lower re .gions dangerous crocodiles abound. The coast and inland waters abound in fish, some of which are dried and form an article of export. Butter flies are very numerous and exceedingly beauti ful; beetles, while abundant and of many species, are not so prominent. Insect pests are very annoying; mosquitoes arid sand-flies in the air. fire-ants on the ground. and leeches in the waters.
The vegetation of Borneo is rich in species and luxuriant in growth. In the flooded regions the vegetation consists of tangled and matted reed and bush growth, which presents a marked -contrast to the forests of the adjacent dry lands. Upward of fifty kinds of trees furnish timber; among them are the mohor, tappau, ironwood, ebony, ea nda 1 rood, and teakwood. Various trees furnish saps, gums, and resins, such as gotta - pereha, camphor, and dragon's - blood. Numerous palms flourish; among others the useful fan, cocoanut. and sago palm. Spices, nuts, and numerous tropical fruits are produced in profusion. Sugar-cane, cotton, and tobacco are cultivated extensively. In the mountain
region rhododendrons grow in profusion, and ferns, orchids. and clinging plants are common, the huge piteher-plants deserving special men tion.
Politically, Borneo ie divided into British Bor neo and Dutch Borneo, the two being separated by the mountain harrier which extends from the central west coast in a northeasterly direc tion nearly across the island. British Borneo consists of Saba. or British North Borneo, Bru nei, and Sarawak. British North Borneo occu pies the northern part of the island, and extends from the eastern shore of Brunei Bay, on the northwestern coast, to the shore of Saint Lucia Bay. on the northeastern coast. It has an area of 31.106 square miles, a coast-line of nearly 1000 miles, and a mixed population of perhaps 173, 000, only a few hundred of whom are Europeans. The chief town and seaport is Sandakan, situ ated on a fine harbor of the same name, on the northeastern coast. Kudat. Gaya, Papar, and Silam are important stations. While this terri tory is held by the British North Borneo Com pany, which receives grants from the native sultans, yet since May 12, ISSS. the British Gov ernment has exercised a formal protectorate over it.
The exports (1809) amounted to $3,500.000, and the imports to $2,500,000. The revenue reaches nearly $5Q0,000. The chief products are timber, tobacco, rice, sago, coffee, spices, gums, sea and jungle produce. The Government issues its own paper notes and copper coinage, accounts being kept in dollars and cents. A marine cable connects Labuan (which was placed under the protectorate of the British North Borneo Com pany in 1889), on the northwestern coast, with Singapore: and a telegraph-line to Sandakan places the capital in telegraphic communication with the civilized world. A railroad is being constructed from Brunei Bay to .)esselton.
Brunei (Borneo) lies southwest of British North Borneo, occupies the coast as far west as Baran' River, covers an area of 15,000 square miles, and has a mixed population of about 45.000. Its chief town is Brunei. on a bay of the same name. It is governed by a sultan of Brunei, but is under British protection. Brunei has been called the 'Venice of the East.' Its trade is of little importance, the chief article of export being sago.