VII.] TAMBORA VOLCANO. 145 



{Cervus tivioriensis), which they wished to sell for rice. We had 

 none of this to dispose of, but we eventually bought the animal 

 for six yards of " Turkey red " ^ and a small packet of tobacco. It 

 was unfortunately not entire, and we were therefore unable to add 

 its skeleton to our collection. 



From the natives we learnt that the ascent of Tambora from 

 this side was impracticable, or at least attended with so many 

 difficulties as to be nearly so. There was no track whatever, and 

 we should have had to cut our way through the jungle, which was 

 very dense and thorny, for three or four days. We therefore re- 

 linquished the idea, and occupied ourselves by exploring and 

 making a rough sketch survey of the little bay, which afforded 

 good anchorage in the east monsoon, and had a beautiful stream of 

 clear water at its head. 



We took two or three photographs of Tambora, and on the 

 following day sailed for Bima. Slowly rounding the northern and 

 eastern sides of the volcano, we had a good opportunity of admir- 

 ing its vastness and solidity. Although over 9000 feet, it appears 

 of much less height, and is devoid of the graceful pyramidal shape 

 generally seen in volcanoes which have been slowly built up by 

 less violent but unceasing action. Its slope is a very gradual one, 

 more especially on the south-east side. This, I believe, is where 

 the Dutch traveller, Dr. Zollinger, attempted the ascent, and, as 

 far as it was possible to judge, it seemed the most practicable 

 approach, being devoid of forest, which is the case nowhere else. 

 On the northern side there is an enormous gap in the lip of the 

 crater, through which a stream of lava has burst, and torn its 

 way through the forest to the sea. It was hard to believe that 

 only seventy years had elapsed since the occurrence of the most 

 appalling eruption known in modern times. The rank vegetation 

 of the tropics soon hides the scars which in Europe would remain 

 for centuries. 



^ "Turkey red" is a thin cotton cloth, largely used for trade and barter both 

 in Africa and the East Indian Archipelago. 



VOL. II. L 



