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but near the summit the plants
seldom exceed bush size.
Moss and orchid growth is
especially extensive within
the last 200 ft. elevation.
The geology on the upper slopes of the peak is quite
rocky and the soil cover is thin.
Ground saturated.

STOP 267 - MALAYA: KEDAH PEAK,
350 FT., VI-29-62
500 specimens.

The lower slopes of Kedah Peak
are biologically quite distinct
from the upper slopes. From
the plain for several hundred
feet of elevation these is a belt
of dense evergreen rainforest,
extremely rich in wildlife and
apparently untouched by man;
the narrow mountain road and
footpaths are the only pene-
trating scars and become
excellent collecting lanes. The
forest canopy perhaps averages
75 to 100 ft, though many
enormous trees, 140 ft. or more,
protrude above the surrounding

top story. One distinctive feature
about the forest at this level is
a dense middle story of
palms, where leaves reach
a height of perhaps 20 ft.
Beneath their light screen the
ground is practically bare
and and understory of the herbs
and shrubs flourishes only
where the light breaks through,
along trails and the road especially.
The forest floor was moist though
not as saturated as that of the
summit area. Heavy rainfall
average is exemplified, however,
by rich epiphyte growth -
stag's horn and bird's nest
ferns, orchids, etc. - on the
forest trees. Vines and creepers
are common.

Roadbanks in such a forest offer
excellent places for vespid nesting
and several nests and associated
wasps were collected. The wasps
prefer the overhang nitches because
they remain dry, protected from
heavy rain. Thin roots hanging
from the overhang ceiling or
sticking from the banks are