598 GEOGRAPHICAL NOTES IK MALAYSIA AND ASIA, 



volume of black mud in every direction. After an interval of a 

 few seconds the hemispherical body of mud or eai-th rises and 

 explodes again. This volcanic ebullition goes on uninterruptedly, 

 throwing up a globular body of mud and dispersing it with 

 \'io]ence through the neighbouring plain. The spot where the 

 ebullition occurs is nearly circular and perfectly level. It is covered 

 only with the earthy particles impregnated with salt water which 

 are thrown up from below. Its circumference may be estimated 

 at about half an English mile. In order to conduct the salt water 

 to the circumference, small passages or gutters are made in the 

 loose muddy earth, which convey it to the borders, where it is 

 collected in holes dug in the ground for the purpose of evaporation. 

 A strong, pungent, sulphurous smell, somewhat resembling that of 

 earth-oil, is perceived on standing near the explosion, and the mud 

 recently thrown up, possesses a degree of heat exceeding that of 

 the surrounding atmosphere. During the rainy season these 

 explosions are more violent, the mud is thrown up much higher, 

 and the noise heard at a greater distance. This volcanic pheno- 

 menon is situated near the centre of the large plain, and the large 

 series of volcanoes, and owes its origin to the general cause of the 

 numerous volcanic eruptions which occur in the island." (Trans- 

 actions of the Batavian Society of Arts and Sciences, Yol. IX.). 

 This singular phenomenon is known to the Javanese under the 

 name of Kuwu, as is also the village of salt-makers near it. In 

 Javanese the word simply means " place of abode." But in 

 Javanese legend the eruption is supposed to be produced by a 

 fabulous monster snake, of which the place is supposed to be the 

 dwelling. Grobogan was also the seat of the ancient Javanese 

 kingdom." (Crawfurd's Descriptive Dictionary of the Indian 

 Islands, p. 146). 



In concluding this brief notice of the physical structure of Java 

 it may be stated that, beyond all comparison, it is the most inter- 

 esting and attractive island of the Indian Archipelago. The 

 immense height and rugged character of its mountains give its 

 scenery a sublime beauty. The almost exclusively volcanic soils 

 make a vegetation of incomparable luxuriance. On this account 



