108 PLAIN OF MALANG. 



mass of the Arjuno, immediately behind us, with 

 its peaked summit and shaggy sides, occupying all 

 the north-western quarter of the horizon. In the 

 north was a low gap, affording space for the road 

 and a band of cultivated ground, and giving access 

 to the northern coast and its towns and harbours. 

 Then rose the ridge of the Teng'ger, gradually 

 struggling up in bristling peaks and ridges towards 

 the east, till it reached its greatest elevation in the 

 large crags and buttresses of the Bromo and the Ider- 

 Ider, from which it curved towards the south-east, 

 where it was crowned with the simple and perfect 

 cone of the Semiru, equally regular and symmetrical 

 in all its aspects. The chord of this splendid amphi- 

 theatre, or the distance between Semiru and the 

 Kawi, was nearly forty miles, formed of low, undu- 

 lating ridges, closing the view on the south. The 

 aspect of this great valley was as rich and abounding 

 in beauty, as we knew it was fertile and healthy, 

 and pleasant in reality ; while even the wildest and 

 ruggedest of the mountains were clothed with forests 

 in magnificent profusion, all save the two cones of 

 the Semiru and Arjuno, where the destructive force 

 of volcanic power still lingered, though harm- 

 lessly, and so far exhausted and pent up as only to 

 add variety of interest to the whole. A populous 

 tribe of men inhabited the plain, and cultivated its 

 surface ; but their rude houses were scarcely visible 

 here and there among its groves, and their open 

 fields only varied its natural beauties, without de- 



