178 Voyage of the Novara. 



shortly before been apprized. As far as circumstances ad- 

 mitted, everything was done to celebrate tliis solemn duty 

 in a befitting manner. 



Several times during this part of our voyage, owing to the 

 slight depth, averaging only 14 fathoms, of the Gaspar Strait, 

 we observed sea-snakes basking on the surface of the sea, 

 and letting the waves roll them lazily forward, several of 

 which, about four feet long, were caught in a common insect- 

 net. 



At last, on the afternoon of May 5, we anchored in the 

 roads of Batavia, in 6| fathoms, mud bottom. The aspect 

 of the roads, especially in bad weather, is rather melancholy, 

 the coast being low and swampy, and densely covered with 

 mangrove-bushes, through which glittered a portion of the red- 

 tiled roofs of the lower ancient city of Batavia, now abandoned 

 on account of its insalubrity. Under a more cheerful sky the 

 country round would of course assume a more agreeable and 

 even imposing appearance, when the outline of the gigantic 

 volcanoes of Java come into view in the background, with 

 their heavenward towering peaks, partly covered with snow, 

 permitting us to form some faint conception of the prodigality 

 of Nature in this, the most beautiful island of the Malay 

 Archipelago. 



In the roads of Batavia we found much less bustle and ani- 

 mation than one could anticipate, considering the favourable 

 situation and immense importance of the place. A short dis- 

 tance from us lay the Dutch frigate Palemhang, carrying the 



