594 GEOGRAPHICAL NOTES IN MALAYSIA AND ASIA, 



vapour. There has never been any large outflow of lava from 

 this crater or any of its older portions. Ash, steam, and cinders 

 have been the only ejectameata during the greater part of its 

 history. Melted lava might sometimes be forced up this sole 

 narrow opening, but the force required to raise such a liquid 

 volume would be great, and it is hard to suppose that it would 

 stop there. Asa matter of fact ash eruptions have been the rule, 

 and lava the exception in the island of late years. 



Measurements have shown that the floor of the crater is higher 

 by over 100 feet than it was in 1845. This is easily accounted for 

 by the accumulation of ash. Sometimes a perfect cone forms 

 round the opening, but this is sure to be blown away in periods of 

 more violent activity. It is at such times that the crater is 

 dangerous to approach. With the exception of such occasional 

 paroxysms it does not appear that there has been of late years any 

 extra violence manifested by the volcano. 



I must say that there is something dissappointing in the aspect 

 of this volcano. One expects to see a little of the ocean of fire 

 at the bottom of the pit from which steam and ashes are emitted 

 with such a roaring noise ; but instead a chasm is all that is dimly 

 visible through the refts in the vapour. But it is always so when 

 such perilous phenomena can be inspected at all. Were the sea of 

 fire boiling with its tierce glow at the bottom of the crater, one 

 dare not even approach its foot, nrach less stand upon its brink. 

 So we must be content with craters as we find them. 



It was an easy journey down to the embankment, where we had 

 good reason to be thankful for the homely shelter which the 

 votaries of Brama afforded us. Here we camped in peace and 

 security, watching the glorious tints of sunset over this strange 

 and wild scene. There is nothing to remain all night for. The 

 crater is not lit up with any glow. The mist, which after 

 nightfall spreads like a curtain over the valley, does not even 

 grant one tlie luxury of a star-lit sky. But the roar of the 

 crater through the darkness of the night fills one with as much 

 awe as the heavens with their silent eloquence. 



