WCP7290

[1]¹

I have read Mr Wallace’s² Paper³ in the Reader upon the Bone caves in Borneo. It appears that Mr. Robert Coulson⁴ recollected after the lapse of some years that he had seen bones in a Cave between Sarawak & Brunei. Upon this information it is proposed to send out an exploring party at an expense of £150 to £250. We a small sum for the most limited investigation. We are ignorant of the name of the district, the mountain, [2] the cave – the distance inland & whether or no there is a river which approaches the locality; There particulars should be known, & the present state of the district as alluded to, ascertained, before we can appreciate, the difficulties of the undertaking. We are now in the dark – but generally speaking the territory upon the border between Brunei & Sarawak is not in so secure, as to warrant a small party wandering over it. with sovereignty

Mr. Wallace it appears [3] to me to do too much & too little – If it be proposed to get the bones Mr Coulson [illeg.] it would not I should think be difficult to find natives of the district to gather them, and bring them to Sarawak – But then the locality must be fixed – This would not cost a bare £20 – and the bones would tell their own tale[.] their [2 words illeg]

So interesting however is the proposed investigation that in my opinion it would be better entered upon by a preliminary inquiry in the country & after= [4] =wards, if the results were encouraging an efficient & systematic investigation of the Bone Cafves might be undertaken.

I may remark here that the Orang Utan is not now found in Sarawak (proper), as so far as I know, for the district on the border – The distribution of these animals is curious, & worthy inquiry.