80 AUSTEALASIA. 



accurate returns for the whole popuhition. But from the partial statistics already 

 taken in the conquered provinces, combined with the systematic estimates made 

 for the independent districts, it may be inferred that the number of inhabitants, 

 although still comparatively slight, has considerably increased since the middle of 

 the present century. According to Yeth, the population of Sumatra and the 

 western islands in 1 869 was somewhat less than two and a half millions ; at 

 present it certainly exceeds three and a half millions, and possibly even four millions. 

 Were it peopled as densely as Java, which its fertile soil and abundant resources 

 might enable it even to surjDass, Sumatra would have a population of not less than 

 seventy millions. 



Sumatra presents some features in common with Madagascar. Both are nearly 

 of the same extent and outward form, that of an elongated oval ; both have one 

 nearly rectilineal coast, that facing towards the high sea, and another, washed by 

 shallower waters, of irregular outline and indented with creeks and inlets. These 

 two seas encircling Sumatra, the boundless ocean to the west, the shallow island- 

 studded waters to the east, are said by some etymologists to have earned for the 

 island its Sanskrit name of Samantam, that is, " placed between two ; " but there 

 can be little doubt that its name is really derived from Samudra, w^hich in Sanskrit 

 simply means the " sea," but which was the designation of an ancient kingdom on 

 the north coast. 



Durino- the predominance of Hindu influences Sumatra shared with the adajcent 

 island the name of Java, being distinguished from its neighbour by the epithet of 

 " Little," not as being thought smaller than the " Great Java," but because of 

 its inferior commercial importance. The native names of Sumatra are Pet'tjek 

 and Anclalas. It remained unknown to Europeans till the first years of the 

 sixteenth century. Ludovico di Barthema visited the north coast in 1505, and 

 four years later a Portuguese fleet made its appearance in these waters. The 

 Dutch, present masters of Sumatra, did not present themselves till the close of the 

 century, in 1598. 



Physical Features of Sumatra. 



As in Madagascar, the highlands and mountain ranges, largely composed of 

 stratified rocks resting on a granitic foundation, are developed not in the centre 

 of the island, but for the most part in the vicinity of the western or oceanic coast. 

 The orographic system, however, is of far more regular formation than in 

 Madagascar, running from one extremity to the other along a scarcely deflected 

 axis, presenting in some places only a single main range, in others breaking into 

 two or three parallel chains. These ranges are connected by secondary transverse 

 ridges enclosing verdant plateaux and cirques diversified by tranquil lakes and 

 winding streams. In these upland regions, at a mean altitude of about 3,000 feet, 

 are grouped the largest villages, and here the fertile soil is turned to best account. 

 'Here also the climate, far cooler than on the coastlands, is suitable even for 

 Europeans, so that the elevated Sumatran tablelands would seem to combine all 

 the advantages destined to render a country populous, rich, and prosperous. 



