186 Description of a Lake of Sulphuric Acid. 
disposition of this place. We breathe at the bottom of 
the gulf a suffocating and acrid air, which severely affects 
the eyes, lips, and inside of the lungs and nostrils: the 
seams of our shoes were burned by the heat of the ground. 
When we were ready to quit the volcano, there was de- 
tached from the upper and western part a mass of earth 
several] fathoms downwards, which rolled with great noise in- 
to the sulphuric lake, where it caused along and noisy bub- 
bling, which made me think the water was very deep. We 
also remarked the vestiges of several very recent eruptions. 
I regretted much that I had no thermometer with me, 
to ascertain the degrees of heat of the waters of the lake, the 
yapours issuing from the volcanic issues, and also of the 
air which we breathe in these places. 
I consider the height of Mount Idienne as at least 1000 
toises above the level of the sea. This estimate is founded 
upon the following reasoning: I reckon this height, upon 
the idea that from Bagnia- Vangni there are about ten 
leagues of continual, and in some places very rapid slope. 
We returned in the evening to Ohonponoph, where we 
arrived worn out with fatigue. M. Vikerman assured me 
that he would rather give in his resignation, than force any 
man under him to visit this place in quest of sulphur. I 
am ignorant of the advantages which the Company derive 
from the sulphur brought from this volcano ; but it is likely 
that they have been deceived by the report of persons who 
set no value on the lives of their fellow-creatures, or who 
were interested in Jeading them into error. After having 
visited this place, I am convinced that no man of common 
humanity would encourage such speculations. My nar- 
rative shows how dangerous the descent into the volcano 
is, and how unhealthy it is to gather the sulphur. It 
ought also to be recollected, that these unfortunate Javanese 
are obliged, before they can reach the volcano, to traverse 
ten leagues from Bagnia- Vangnt through a desert country 
swarming with tigers; that ‘when they arrive at Ohon- 
ponoph, their resting-place, they must bring the water which 
they want from a great distance; that they are exposed in 
this place, almost without clothing, to a cold to which they 
are not accustomed, and which is even accompanied with 
humid and deleterious vapours, which may kill them on the 
spot, or at least occasion obstinate diseases. M. Vikerman 
and myself were of a vigorous habit of body, and every thing 
which could facilitate our descent into the volcano was em- 
ployed: when we came out, however, we were ready to faint. 
When the eastern part of Mount Idienne shall be So 
ple 
