66 E E I N W A R D T I A
[VOL. 1

(10) BENTHAM et HOOKER, Gen. PL, I, p. 580 (1865).
(11) O. KUNTZE, Rev. Gen. PL, I, p. 191 (1891)
(12) TAUBERT in Engler et Prantl, Nat. Pflanzenfam., ed. 1, III, 3, p. 140 (1894).
(13) HARMS in Engler et Prantl, Nat. Pflanzenfam., ed. 1, Nachtr. I zu 111, 8,

197 (1897).
(14) PRAIN, SC, Mem. Med. Off. Ind. Army, XII, p. 1-17 (1901).
15 MEYER DREES, Bull. Jard. Bot. Buit., Ser. I l l XVI., 1 p 8W02 (1988).

DE WIT, Bull. Bot. Gard. Buit., Ser. Ill, XVII, 1, p. 139-154 (1941).
MERRILL, Philipp. Journ. Sc, Bot., V, p. 41 (1910).

i±», CHALK, BURTT-DAVY, DESCH et HOYLE in Chalk et Burtt-Davy Forest Trees
and Timbers of Brit. Emp., Twenty West Afr. Timb. Trees, II, p. 14 (1933).

(19) SPRAGUE, Kew Bull., p. 104 (1940).
(Received for publication October 31, 1950)

(16)
(17)
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E E I N W A R D T I A

Published by Herbarium Bogoriense., Kebun Raya Indonesia
Volume 1, Part 2, pp. 67-73 (1951)

CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE HISTORY OF BOTANY AND
EXPLORATION IN MALAYSIA—7

H. C. D. DE WIT *
Report on the botany of Leti and the southern Moluccas

(1712-1720) by E. C. Barchewitz1

Barchewitz reached the islet of Leti, in the southwestern Moluccas,
on September 2, 1714; he returned to Europe in September 1720, having
represented the East India Company on Leti for six years. Like so many
of his contemporaries he wrote a book on his life's adventures. This work
appeared in 1730 and proved a success. A second, slightly enlarged,
edition followed in 1751, entitled "Neu-vermehrte Ost-Indianische Reise-
Beschreibung." Barchewitz is the earliest author on the natural history
of Leti and -he paid attention to a number of plants. The present note is
mainly a survey of the botany contained in his book.

Ernst Christoph Barchewitz was born at the close of the 17th century
at Grosz-Sommerda near Erfurt. He was bound apprentice to a tawer
at Erfurt but soon preferred to travel ("Wanderschaft") with his brother
to Holland. He visited the larger towns, learned at the Hague the art
of dressing and the barber's craft, and became the valet de chambre of
the Imperial Ambassador, Baron von Heems, whom he accompanied to
Austria and the southern Netherlands. He ended his service at Delft Where
he enlisted with the East India Company.

As a soldier he embarked at Hellevoetsluis on the "Voorburg," sailing
April 1, 1711. The treatment on board he judged to be fair; his only
objection was that he had to drink water whereas wine would have seemed
very suitable.

After a stay at Batavia (December 20, 1711 till January 29, 1712),
he was garrisoned on Banda, where he remained till August 15, 1714.
He left when he was appointed Corporal of Leti.

The following pertains to the second edition of Barchewitz's book,
the pages referred to are cited between brackets. All quotations have been
translated.

* Botanist, Flora Malesiana Office, Leiden.
The first paper of this series, containing nos. 1-6, appeared in the Bulletin
"•* tne Botanic Gardens, Buitenzorg III 18: 463-472. 1950.

[Part 1 of this volume was issued December 9, 1950.]

— 67 —



68 R E I N W A R D T I A [VOL. I

In the preface he states: "I have given an account of my own obser-
vations, and also of what I heard from other trustworthy persons; I do
not care whether my facts seem possible or impossible to some of my
readers." He stuck to this intention. His work is first of all a report;
nowhere there is any attempt at a critical discussion or research. He
simply noted what he saw and what he was told.

Barchewitz was by no means a botanist or a naturalist. Having a
lively style, an observant eye, and a liking for Natural History and life in
the open, he described in a charming manner the southwestern Moluccas
as they were in the first decades of the 18th century. He added appreciably
to our knowledge of the ethnography, mythology, and the manner of
administration of the Company in that period; as regards Natural History
he devoted a good deal of space to the birds, reptiles, fishes, insects,
molluscs, and plants of the region.

After his return to Europe, Barchewitz studied some authors, (e.g.
Speelman's paper on Antiaris, the travel accounts of Dampier, Vogel,
Worm, and Wurffbain) but inserted these supplementary data without
comparing them to his own observations; they merely served to give his
book a semblance of erudition.

The data supplied by Barchewitz relating to botanical science have
some interest, both to ethnobotany and to historical botany in general.
Phytographically his work is without value though he supplied as a rule
sufficient distinctive characters to identify his plants with reasonable
certainty. In the following alphabetical list I have not repeated facts
which may be found in the usual recent reference works. If not stated
differently, the records refer to Leti. The list is preceded by some general
notes arranged according to the various islands.

BANDA ARCHIPELAGO.—The popular beverages in Banda are "sury"
and "zachewehr," the first tapped from Cocos nucifera, the second from
Arenga pinnata. In the "zachewehr" roots are hung to improve the wine,
this may be a reference to Garcinia picrorhiza Miq. No further particulars
are given (526). On Banda is a high mountain, the "Pfaffenberg," up to
the summit covered with forests. At the foot of Gunung Api, a very
high mountain, there are many trees and gardens, but nearer to the top
it is entirely bare and covered with ash and brimstone (141). On Pulu
Pisang was the kitchen garden of the Governor of Banda (149-150).

The main vegetable imports into Banda were
from Ceram: sago and atap (153);
from Damar: coco-nuts, sago, ubi, mustard, ginger, Curcuma, canari,

bananas, betel-nuts, betel-leaves, beans, cossos (Costus), bamboos (153) ;

1951] DE WIT: Botany of Leti by Barchewitz

from Nila: coco-nuts, bananas, pine-apple, "Kurbisse" (Benincasa?),
beans (various kinds), mustard, ginger (153);

from Babar and Wettar: beans, ginger, Pachyrhizus erosus Urb.,
coco-nuts, bananas, sago, betel-nuts, betel-leaves, canari, sugar-cane (153) ;

from Aru and Kai: coco-nut oil, canari-oil, sugar-cane, sago, atap,
coco-nuts, canari, ginger (153) ;

from Tanimber ("Dennemer") : beans (Glycine soya Sieb. & Zucc),
canari, ginger, Pachyrhizus, and "Calmus" (154).

8 ' 5

BANDA

ROMA NG

SEA
DAMAR

27°£ |128°E

FIG. 1.

It is to be noted that the imports from Leti do not include a single
vegetable item. The sketchy indications scattered through the book regard-
ing crops in the various islands confirm the lists of imported products
reproduced here. Nutmeg cultivation in Banda is described, a close por-
trait of the tree, fruit, aril, and seed added (175). He refers also to the
male nutmegs (cf. Myristica fatua).

DAMAR.—The island was particularly rich in sagopalms (527, 531).
It produced also a large amount of rattan which, judging from the meagre
description, was a species of Calamus (406, 529). There were also many
very tall and thick trees which Barchewitz believed to be genuine nutmeg
trees as the fruits resembled nutmegs. These were, however, without taste
or scent (531-532). This may be a reference to Myristica fatua.

KlSAR.—Onions and garlic were cultivated successfully and exported
to Leti but it was impossible to grow them on that island.

LAKOR.—The islet of Lakor, east of Leti, is described as rocky and
without springs. The water supply of the inhabitants is rain water stored
in caves inside the rocks. These cavities are natural. In other caves
("patulupans" or batu lupang), which have large holes in the ceiling
connecting them with the surface, Cocos palms, Areca palms, and bananas-



70 R E I N W A R D T I A [VOL. 1 1951] DE WIT: Botany of Leti by Barchewitz 71

are grown. The stems of the trees pass through these holes and beautiful
fruit could be harvested conveniently by a man standing on the surface
ot the earth (284).

Indigofera and the usual crops are cultivated.
LETI.—The road on Leti passes through groves of Cocos palm,

Borassus, Tamarindus, and other trees (216). North of the central mount-
ains, Leti has grassy plains, here and there with a cluster of trees (Cocos,
Borassus). In this plain rice, beans, "katjang," batates, "ubi," and "com-
bily" are planted. Rice is planted (dry cultivation) on fields where Dio-
scorea or Ipomoea had been grown the year before. After a rice crop,
the land is alloVed to rest for several years (303). Rice is one of the
most important crops (402). One month before planting, the grass is set
on fire (218), after that the soil is turned by hacking or digging by
means of pointed iron-wood poles. The ashes serve as fertilizer (124).

South of the central mountains, nothing but forest is found. Bees
are particularly common here and have their nests along the thick branch-
es of the large "canari" trees, always near springs. They fly away when
the rainy monsoon sets in, nobody knows where to. After they have
left the Letinese collect the wax. When the rains cease, the bees return
(218).

Sago making was uncommon on Leti, if it was done at all. The
occurrence of the sagopalm is not certain from Barchewitz's data. Onions
and garlic did not thrive on Leti (432).

In the (densely forested) interior (286, 287) occurs a large tree,
probably a species of Eucalyptus. The extraction of the oil (reputed to
be a panacea) on boiling water is described (353-354).

The cotton of Leti was renowned and better than that of all the
other islets.

MOA.—Maize is planted on sites where many low bushes grow. These
are chopped, left to dry and set on fire. When the rainy season starts,
the maize is planted. The next year a new site is selected and the fallow
land is gradually covered again by shrubs (302). Moa is an important
producer of maize and grows but little rice (402).

RoMANG.—The "kaju putih" oil is also (c/. sub Leti) distilled here
(353, 354). Arenga and Metroxylon are plentiful.

A l p h a b e t i c a l l i s t o f s p e c i e s

. Ananas comosus (L.) Merr. (239, 240). Grown in Leti; description
added. * Annona muricata L. (218). Repeatedly referred to; not described
and confused with Artocarpus integra. * Annona reticulata L. (opp. 230).

Referred to; not described. * Antiaris toxicaria (Pers.) Lesch. (118).
Referred to; not described. Celebes is believed to be its true home. * Areca
catechu L. (432). Repeatedly referred to; not described. * Arenga pinnata
(Wurmb) Merr. (312, 525, 526). Repeatedly referred to; descriptions both
of the plant, its flowering, and the preparing of palm wine. * Artocarpus
communis Forst. (218). A good description accompanied by various
recipes, Barchewitz called it "succun" tree but the Letinese "urna." He
also stated that inside the fruit is a "seed of two fingers thick and equally
long as the fruit." These seeds do not germinate and the tree is propagated
by suckers from the roots. Heyne (Nutt. PI. Nederl. Indie 556. 1927,
"Oerhoe") records the vernacular name "uru" from Kisar for the seeded
form, which agrees with Barchewitz's record. The seeded form is easily
propagated by its seeds, whereas the seedless form must be propagated

by root suckers, even if it produces some seeded fruits, because those seeds
do not germinate. It would seem, therefore, that both the seeded and
the seedless form occurred on Leti. * Artocarpus integra (Thunb.) Merr.
(237). A description of the fruit. * Averrhoa bilimbi L. (237). Tree, flower,
and fruit described, also the use. * Averrhoa carambola L. (238). Fruit
and its use described.* Borassus flabellifer L. (223). The "eyer butty"
tree. Sailing between Banda and Leti, the first Borassus was sighted on
Kisar (192). Tree described, also the making of palm wine and palm
sugar. * Bryophyllum pinnatum (Lam.) Kurz (245). A poor description
but sufficient to identify the plant. It is a powerful antidote against all
poisons. * Cajanus indicus Spreng. (242). The "dursi." Heyne (Nutt. PL
Nederl, Indie 831. 1927) refers to the Timor vernacular name "turis." *
Calamus sp. (406, 529). See Damar. * Canarium ?decumanum Gaertn.
(222). The summarily described tree and fruits cannot be identified with
certainty but the size of the fruits is suggestive of C. decumanum. *
Carica papaya L. (240). The "papaye" or "udy maleye" has a wholesome
fruit, the milky juice is harmful, the leaves may serve as tobacco. Some
descriptive notes. * Cassia fistula L. (221). Repeatedly referred to, but
not described. Common in Leti and in Damar. * Ceiba pentandra (L.)
Gaertn. (221). Common in the Timor Archipelago. * ?Celtis sp. (295, 296).
A new house proved to be inhabitable on account of the stench of "sibi
dey," a stinking wood the carpenter used by mistake(?). Barchewitz
took a piece with him and knew of its use in the preparation of balsams.
There are other stinking woods, which cannot be excluded here, but I found
only for Celtis recorded that it was used in perfumes. * Cerbera manghas
L. (246). A descriptive note and specially its medicinal use. * Citrullus
vulgaris Schrad. (241). No description.* Citrus maxima (Burm.) Merr.



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[VOL. 1

(230). The "pompelmusz" tree. The Rutaceous leaf is well described.*
Citrus spp. (247, 248). At least two more species of Citrus referred to. *
Cyperus rotundus L. (168). The apparently obsolete vernacular name
"siree" is given. Some description and the destination of a famous oil
from the tubers. * Dioscorea ? alata L. (241). The "ubi" is often referred
to but scantily described. * Dioscorea esculenta (Lour.) Burkill (241).
The "combily"; identification mainly on account of the vernacular name. *
Durio zibethinus Murr. (25). A good description. * ?Eucalyptus sp. (253,
354). It is probable that a species of Eucalyptus is referred to but the
scant details do not make definite interpretation possible (Melaleuca?). *
Eugenia aromatica (L.) O.K. (558). Description from hearsay of the
cultivation in Amboina. * Eugenia jambos L. (235). A short description. *
Eugenia malaccensis L. (234). A brief note.* Garcinia mangostana L.
(239). The "manges tanges"; a description. * Gossypium sp. Common in
the entire Timor Archipelago but not described. * flntsia bijuga (Colebr.)
O. K. The pointed poles of iron wood used for digging were probably
supplied by this species but no description is given. * Ipomoea batatas
(L.) Lam. (241). A brief note which proves that the red- and the white-
skinned varieties were present. * Lagenaria leucantha (Dueh.) Rusby
(242). No description; only the use of a Cucurbitaceous fruit as bottles
and containers. * Mangifera indica L. (238). A short description. *
Metroxylon sp. (525, 527, 528). Rare on Let! (cf. sub Damar) ; no de-
scription. * Moringa oleifera Lam. (220). The "sayer-kehlar" tree; rather
a satisfactory description. * Musa sapientum L. (230). A good description,
particularly the structure and development of the stem were closely observ-
ed. "Pisang radja" and "pisang bollefanger" (a triangular, drier kind)
are mentioned. As regards the latter kind, the vernacular name "pisang
tongkat langit" is probably identical with "pisang bollefanger" because
the sequence of the vowels and the number of syllables are alike and the
consonants related. This implies a record of Musa troglodytarum L.,
which has, in accordance with Barchewitz's data, a triangular shape and
drier pulp (cf. Cheesman in Kew Bull. 1949: 449). * Myristica fragrans
L. (173,175). Closely described (cf. sub Banda). * Myristica fatua Houtt.
(531, 537). Repeatedly referred to (cf. sub Damar and sub Banda).*
Nicotiana tabacum L. (123, 288). Regularly cultivated; not described (cf.
sub Leti).* Oryza sativa L. Not described. In dry cultivation a staple
food in Leti. * Species of Papilionaceae. Various "katjang" are mentioned,
probably belonging to various genera. * Physalis sp. (168, 488). The ver-
nacular name "margossy" is apparently obsolete. The descriptive note
points clearly to Physalis but the species cannot be determined. It is used

1951] DE WIT: Botany of Leti by Barchewitz 73

as hops in beer, a use not recently recorded. * Pisonia alba Span. (220).
The "sayer.butty" tree is briefly described. "As often as I wished to eat
white cabbage, which is not to be had here, I ordered these leaves and
had them boiled; I then imagined to eat white cabbage." *? Portulaca sp.
(242). Only description: "The Portulac grows plentifully and was our
commonest vegetable." * Psidium guajava L. (235). The "guabes" or
"coyaba." Both the pink- and the white-fleshed varieties occurred; both
well described. * Saccharum officinarum L. (241). Commonly grown; not
described. * Sandoricum koetjape (Burm. f.) Merr. (221). A general de-
scription and a recipe. * Santalum album L. (221). Not described; said
to be not rare on Leti. * Sesamum sp. (121, 122). A powerful antidote
against the poison of Antiaris. The fruits are pounded with cotton in
order to make "candles." Poor descriptive note of the "waduck. * Strych-
nos ligustrina Bl. (221, 241). A brief description of "Schlangenholtz";
no medicinal use mentioned. * Tamarindus indica L. Repeatedly referred
to as a common wayside tree or growing wild. * Terminalis catappa L.
(222). Some descriptive notes. * Vitis vinifera L. (400). Had developed
into a bower; recently imported. * Vitis sp. (384). Description of a wild
littoral species. * Zea mays L. Mostly imported from Moa but "tiirkisches
Korn" was also cultivated on Leti.


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