322 IN STARRY REALMS. 



irrepressible tropical vegetation again resumed possession* 

 The desolated islet again became clothed with beauty, and 

 for a couple of centuries reposed in peace: 



A few significant warnings were given before the 

 recent tremendous outbreak. Admonitory earthquakes 

 began to be felt in the vicinity some years before, and 

 for a period of three months Krakatoa was gradually 

 preparing for the majestic performance with which the 

 world was astounded on August 26-27. The inhabi- 

 tants of those regions were so accustomed to be 

 threatened by volcanic phenomena that the early stages 

 of the outbreak, which began on May 20, do not seem to 

 have created any alarm; quite the reverse, indeed, for 

 a pleasant excursion was organized from Batavia, and 

 a trip made to Krakatoa in a steamer, to see what wa 

 going on. The party landed on the island, and found a 

 large basin-shaped crater, more than half a mile across at 

 the top, and almost 150 feet deep. In the centre of this 

 was an aperture 150 feet in diameter, from which a column 

 of steam issued with a terrific noise. Even at this early 

 stage of the eruption the volcanic dust was projected aloft 

 in quantities sufficient to be wafted to the adjoining shores 

 of Sumatra and Java. 



For the next fortnight or three weeks the intensity of 

 the eruptive phenomena seemed at first to decline, but 

 about the end of June other craters began to open on the 

 island, and the volcanic energy from that date increased 

 until the mighty climax. The actual nature of that awful 

 event can only be imperfectly known. The Straits of 

 Sunda were no longer a pleasant place for a steamboat 

 excursion They had become the theatre of an- appalling 



