i6o 



SPICY ISLANDS. 



entirely to fill a noted fiHiing place in the neighboring fea of 

 the depth of forty fathoms, fo as to leave it entirely dry. The 

 fame volume fully accounts for the appearance of thefe iflands, 

 and the Banda, fo graphically defcribed by the Frejtch Abbe. 

 In the year 1693 and 1694 feveral other iflands, as if by confent, 

 raged with volcanic fury. The mountains of Celebes, Sorea, Ter- 

 7mte, BanJa, and Neyra, at one time, caft up fire, lava, aflies, 

 cinders, and boiling water. There was no approaching the 

 water by reafon of the excellive heat. In Sorea the ground 

 . funk in, and difcovered a great lake. 



A fiery deluge, {q&. 

 ' With ever-burning fulphur, unconfum'd: 



Which fpreading farther and farther, threatening the whole 

 ifland, terrified the inhabitants fo much that they unanimouily 

 tranfported themfelves to Banda, leaving their moveables behind 

 for want of veflels. All thefe iflands are fubje6l to terrible earth- 

 quakes, which affeft the fea fo greatly as particularly to endanger 

 the fhips lying at anchor in the fine harbor between this ifland 

 and Banda. 1 am not certain that Goenong is inhabited fince the 

 dreadful eruption. 



Banda is defended by a ftrong eafile. The name of the capital 

 is Nera. A powerful garrifon is kept in this ifland, it being the 

 feat of government, notwithftanding it is not above twelve 

 leagues in circumference. 

 LoNToiR. Lontoiff the largeft of all the group, is inacceffible on moft 



parts, by reafon of its lofty precipitous fliores ; yet the Dutch 



Jiave 



