EXPEDITIONS TO EXPLORE THE INTERIOR TO THE SOUTH AND SOUTH-EAST OF THE CAPITAL. Preliminary Expeditions--The Limbang River--Stories connected with it--The Madalam--River flowing under a Pile of Rocks--Caverns--Batu Rikan--The River issuing from under the Mountain of Molu--Ascend the Precipices--No Water--Long Roots--No Soil--Second Expedition--A Flood--Dangerous Position--Wakeful Night--Beautiful Flowers--Palms and Rhododendrons--Old Kayan Encampment--Detached Rocks--Ascent of Molu--Two new Species of Nepenthes--Difficult Climbing--New Rhododendrons--Stopped by a Precipice--Sharp-edged Rocks--Descent--Limestone Rock--Cave--Heavy Rain--Swollen River--Quick Return--Prepare for a distant Expedition--Alarm of the Brunean Government--Warnings--Preparations--Boats--My Headman Musa--A Travelled Dayak--Stories of Molu--Weapons--Merchandise. In December, 1856, I made a short excursion up the Limbang River, and the wonders there told of its far interior strongly excited my curiosity. The natives were full of stories of the river forcing its way for miles under huge masses of rock, which formed a natural tunnel, called by the Malays “Batu berkejang,” or stone-roofed; of a cataract formed by the whole river falling over a ledge of rocks for a depth of nine fathoms; of the smooth water beyond this which stretched for a seven days’ journey, flowing gently through a vast table-land; of the tame goats without masters which thronged this region--but I could find no one who had seen any of these wonders--in fact, few Malays had passed Suñgei Damit, a river about three days’ journey from the capital.