of the Island of Sumatra^ SfC. 187 



recede to some distance from the coast, leaving a portion of 

 level land, through which the river pursues a winding course 

 to the sea. There is a small detached hill near its mouth en- 

 tirely composed of limestone, of which a great quantity in loose 

 blocks and fragments is strewed at the bottom. The soft ar- 

 gillaceous iron ore, commonly called ruddle, has also been 

 procured from the upper part of the river. 



Inland of Tappanooly and Nattal lies the country of the 

 Battas, in which the position of the great lake of Tobah, not 

 laid down in our maps, has lately been determined. It lies 

 about fifty miles north-east of Tap})anooly. 



The Batang Tava and Sinkuang have been represented as 

 inconsiderable streams, while they are in fact among the largest 

 rivei's on the western coast; the former having its source in 

 the mountains of Diri, to the north of Tappanooly, and the 

 latter rising in Gunong Kalaber, the southern bound^iry of 

 the Batta country, and watering in its course the whole pro- 

 vince of Mendhehng. The Tabuyong, on the other hand, 

 which is represented by Mr. Marsden as the largest river be- 

 tween Tappanooly and' Nattal, is in fact small, and does not 

 peneti'ate beyond the first range of hills. 



The province of Mendheling, which lies inland of Nattal, has 

 long been celebrated for its gold, which is of the finest quality. 

 It is said to possess upwards of seven hundred mines, and its 

 annual export of gold probably does not fall short of a thou- 

 sand tales. 



At Ayer Bangy, where the hills again approach the sea, 

 granite makes its appearance. This place lies nearly due east 

 from Gunong Pasaman (known in our charts by the name of 

 Mount Ophir), a remarkable conical mountain, whose height 

 was some years ago estimated at 13,800 feet above the level of 

 the sea, its latitude at 6' north, and its distance from the coast 

 about 26 miles. On its nortli-eastern side is the source of 

 the great river of the Soompoor or Rukan, which crosses the 

 island in a north-easterly direction, passing through the fertile 

 valley of llau, at its exit from whence it bursts through the 

 range of mountains forming the eastern boundary of that 

 country ; and after precipitating itself over a considerable fall 

 enters the district of Rukan, from which it receives its name 

 in this part of its course. 



To the southward of llau lie the provinces of Agam, Kana- 

 Hma-pulo, and Menangkabau, w hich, collectively distinguished 

 by the a))pellation of the " Darat," or " the Land," consti- 

 tuted the ancient empire of Menangkabau. In the territory 

 which was formerly included in that empire the jiopulation is 

 at present estimated at not less than a million and a half; and 



A a 2 some 



