174 A NATUBALIST IN CELEBES ch. vii 



and of steam, which poured down the mountain slopes, 

 rather than the flow of lava, caused the enormous mortality 

 of this second eruption. After the eruption of 1711 it 

 seems that a large lake of water was formed in the crater, 

 and a certain privileged class of Sangirese were allowed by 

 the gods to visit this lake every three or four months to 

 test the water with their rice. If the water was hot enough 

 to cook their rice, they took it for a sign that an eruption 

 would shortly follow. The eruption came in 1856. The 

 waters of the lake began to boil, burst their banks, and 

 flowed down the side of the mountain towards Tabukan 

 and Taruna, causing immense destruction of human lives 

 and property. 



As we were passing Kandahar, we noticed a large prau 

 coming out towards us, flying the Dutch flag, so we stopped 

 to allow the rajah who was in her to come on board. He 

 wore a curious cap, in shape not unlike a ' glengarry,' made 

 of black cloth, and he carried a beautiful blue umbrella. 

 His business did not seem to be very urgent or important, 

 so we soon left him behind in his big canoe and continued 

 on our way to Taruna, which we reached shortly after mid- 

 day. Taruna may be said to be the capital of Great Sangir, 

 for not only is it the seat of one of the most powerful rajahs 

 of the island, but it is also the headquarters of the Con- 

 troleur of the Sangir and Talaut islands, and the port of call 

 for the steamers of the Ned. Ind. Stoomvaart Maatschappij. 

 A considerable trade is carried on by a few Chinese merchants, 

 who barter European cloths and other articles for copra 

 and other native products. 



Sangir may be considered to be the home of the coco- 

 nut in these parts. All along the shores of the islands the 

 traveller sees rows and rows of these handsome palms, and 

 on entering the Bay of Taruna the hills and shores seem to 

 be almost destitute of any other trees. The natives are fully 



