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TROPICAL NATUREPalembang, in Sumatra, there is a complete street of floatinghouses supported on rafts formed of huge bundles of bamboos.Bridges across streams or to carry footpaths along the face ofprecipices are constructed by the Dyaks of Borneo wholly ofbamboos, and some of these are very ingeniously hung fromoverhanging trees by diagonal rods of bamboo, so as to formtrue suspension bridges. The flooring of Malay houses isalmost always of bamboo, but is constructed in a variety ofways. Generally large bamboos are used, split lengthwaystwice and the pieces tied down with rattan. This forms agrated floor, slightly elastic, and very pleasant to the barefootednatives. A superior floor is sometimes formed of slabs,which are made from very stout bamboos cut into lengths ofabout three or four feet and splitdown one side. The jointsare then deeply and closely notched all round with a sharpchopping-knife, so that the piece can be unrolled as it wereand pressed flat, when it forms a hard board with a naturalsurface, which, with a little wear, becomes beautifully smoothand polished. Blinds, screens, and mats are formed of bamboosin a variety of ways, sometimes of thin kinds crushedflat and plaited, but more frequently of narrow strips connectedtogether with cords of bamboo-bark or rattan. Stripsof bamboo supported on cross-pieces form an excellent bed,which from its elasticity supplies the purpose of a mattress aswell, and only requires a mat laid over it to insure a comfortablenight's repose. Every kind of basket, too, is made ofbamboo, from the coarsest heavy kinds to such as are fine andornamental. In such countries as Lombock and Macassar,where the land is much cultivated and timber scarce, entirehouses are built of bamboo, posts, walls, floors, and roofs allbeing constructed of this one material; and perhaps in noother way can so elegant and well-finished a house be built soquickly and so cheaply. Almost every kind of furniture isalso made of the same material, excellent bamboo chairs, sofas,and bedsteads being made in the Moluccas, which, for appearance,combined with cheapness, are probably unsurpassed inthe world. A chair costs sixpence, and a sofa two shillings.Among simpler uses bamboos are admirably adapted forwater-vessels. Some of the lighter sorts are cut into lengthsof Wbout five feet, a small hole being knocked through the