4 p.m.--One of the great curiosities of these countries is certainly the edible bird’s-nest caves, and we were promised the sight of an immense one. Luñgenong told us that once, when out hunting, he had followed a pig into a large crevice in the rock, which, however, opened out to an immense size in the interior; and that the sides were covered with a mass of the white nest; of course the old ones would have been of no value, but had they been destroyed, in a few months new ones would have been built, and have been worth a great deal to them. Luñgenong has just returned from a visit to his relations, but though he still persists in his story of the caves, he has changed a three days’ walk into a month’s journey in the forest: we must, he says, carry provisions for the whole distance. This is evidently an invention; perhaps he does not want us to visit his caves, so I have told him I won’t go. I should like to reach the mountain of Lawi, but I have only seven men who can walk. _22nd._--I have almost made up my mind not to try to penetrate farther into the country during this expedition. I think it would be much better to attempt reaching the great mountain of Lawi by ascending the Trusan river from its mouth. The whole country appears inhabited, so that my men would not suffer as they have done during our present expedition up the Limbang: they would have no unusual fatigues, nor any privations to undergo, and our chance would be greater. It is very improbable indeed that at this season I can get much assistance from these villagers; it is their planting time, and they have a little of that feeling, which we found so prevalent during our Kina Balu trip, of not wishing to help us to go beyond their own village--a sort of jealousy that we may distribute our goods elsewhere. Were my men well I should laugh at such difficulties, and go without a guide; but four of my followers are really ill, eight more have very sore feet, so that in reality I have but five efficient men, which is too few to wander with unless joined to the people of the country. I have succeeded in all the objects with which I started except reaching Lawi, and I have gained such knowledge and experience how to organize the next expedition, that I feel tolerably assured of penetrating during the next excursion very much farther into the country. The climate among these hills must be very healthy, the air is fresh and cool; even in the middle of the day it is not oppressive, except in certain places. A few days’ farther advance would give us a very superior climate. I regret that I have not sufficient instruments with me to carry out all my views: but even with the imperfect means I possess, I have added considerably to my knowledge of this portion of the interior.