162 NOTES 01" TEAYEL IN CHINA. 



tra, and in close proximity to Java, where various clustering isles 

 adorn the scene, attention is specially attracted by an immense irregu- 

 larly shaped island named " Princess Island," thickly studded with 

 different kinds of trees which perfectly conceal the soil or naked rock 

 from the view. 



The sinuous coast of Java, however, presents a different appear- 

 ance ; craggy cliffs strike upwards, whose rugged faces bear the 

 marks made by the lashing of the surge ; high irregular hills in the 

 distance whose sides are begirt with native plants, and whose tops 

 taper to a point and hide themselves in the clouds ; a sloping beach 

 of easy access and overhung by outspreading branches which cast 

 a shadow over the water, appearing to invite the stranger to it : far re- 

 ceding bays over whose surface are wafted on the breeze spicy 

 odours from the home of the savage; and an array of cocoa nut trees 

 extending for miles along the strand, and exhibiting from the tops 

 of their slender trunks the tempting fruit : all add to the variety of 

 the scene ; while the majestic Banyan stands alone and affords a shady 

 retreat for hundreds of Malays, who there seek amusement, 

 comfort or repose. 



Quantities of different species of fruit, consisting of mangustines, 

 oranges, lemons, mangos, pine apples, and vegetables of many kinds ; 

 as also live representatives of the mixed inhabitants of the jungle : 

 monkeys, moose deer, red and green parrots, mocking birds, spar- 

 rows, &c, are brought by the natives in canoes to passing vessels, 

 and offered for sale. 



Passing through this " Eden of the East" in a fortnight, our 

 proximity to our destination was evinced by the appearance of high 

 and naked islands, around which could be seen ill-shapen and odd 

 rigged craft, which were soon recognized to be Chinese fishing boats. 

 Off the " Lema Islands," among which is to be seen the conspicuous 

 peak of Hong-Kong, vessels are boarded by a native pilot. Some of 

 their boats carry foreign flags, (principally English and American,) 

 and others the private flags of different mercantile houses, which are 

 vouchers of the respectability of the parties who carry them. Their 

 boats average about fifteen tons burthen and are seldom manned by 

 less than four men. There is no necessity for a vessel to reduce her 

 speed for these men, unless she is exceeding six or seven knots per 

 hour, for they can always succeed in getting on board. They run 

 down across the ship's bows and bring their boats near enough to the 

 ship, to enable them to reach her chains with a long bamboo pole, 

 by means of which they fasten on a grapple secured to the end of a 

 long rope; This rope they pay out so as to prevent the sudden 



