162 Rosi miain, A Naturalist in Java. [vIlxxxh. 



Buddhas." is supposed to have been built to shelter some 



portion of the ashes of Buddha, and was built about 1,100 years 



ago. To appreciate such a structure one should give days to 



its study. In a rapid survey much of the very best is certain 



to be passed unseen. The temple consists of five square 



terraces enclosing galleries of bas-reliefs. There are niches 



every lew feet, with life-size images of Buddha: above these 



are three circular terraces with latticed dagobas, each enclosing 



an image of Buddha. There are, in all. 72 dagobas; the top 



or crowning dagoba is 168 I t in circumference. All the stone 



used in the temple was cul to shape and then placed in position, 



no binding, such as mortar or cement, being used. The figures 



portrayed on the walls of galleries are scenes depicting every 



phase of life and action : similar scenes may still be seen in 



Java to-day. Kings, nobles, dancing girls, palace women. 



peasants and fishermen, elephants, horses, deer, sheep, 



buffaloes, goats, pigs, rats, cats, camels, monkeys, crocodiles, 



peacocks, doves, swans, ducks, chariots, ploughs, musical 



instruments, ships, and hundreds of other things are depicted 



here in a way that is wonderfully lifelike and true. The 



Javanese were Buddhists, but are now Mohammedans. The 



temple is 480 feel square and [30 feet high. The view from 



the top is grand and glorious- almost overwhelming. There is 



something sad in contemplating all this wealth of art that 



represents a civilization ol bygone ages. It seems to be the 



same old story oi the expansion ol one to the detrimenl oi the 



other, and the inevitable sequel oi defeal and destruction. II 



these galleries oi reliefs were placed in one line they would 



reai h about five miles. 



It is a pity no reliable information can be obtained about 

 the ruins ol the water-castle oi Djokja, an old and interesting 

 palace which mus1 have been luxurious to excess. From the 

 state oi the ruins, one would think it to be a thousand years 

 old. There are extensive grounds enclosed in its walls ol six 

 feel thi( k ; there are subtei ranean p wii h watei v. 



dungeons, and hiding places, baths, palaces, pavilions, arches, 

 waterfalls, &c. There is an ail oi mystery, a certain fascination, 

 about this old ruined palace thai makes one wish to know its 

 whole history. The only information I could gathei was thai 

 it was destroyed by an earthquake in 18(17. 



The Buitenzorg gardens have an ana ol about 45 acres, and 

 without doubl contain the finesl collection ol tropical palm-. 

 orchids, &c, to be found anywhere. There are aboul 620 

 differenl varieties ol palm-, ol which aboul 430 are bom the 

 Dutch Indies, the balance being from othei parts oi the world. 



There are 26 varieties oi baml -. and aboul 60 varietii 



banana-. Some oi the bamboos [gigantea) grow to an immense 



