116 RIDE TO BATU. 



much the manufacture might be improved by care, 

 and proper methods of making and storing. 



Nov, 23. — Hill being too unwell to ride on horse- 

 back was obliged to be carried on a litter made of a 

 bamboo frame and covered with an archedroof of atop 

 mats, suspended from the shoulders of four men. 

 We proceeded to Batu, about twelve miles north- 

 west of Malang. The first part of the road was low, 

 wet, and muddy, through a completely cultivated 

 country; but we then began to rise a little onto 

 more undulating ground, where the cultivated fields 

 were interspersed with brakes and pieces of forest. 

 There was an abundance of water, both in natural 

 brooks and in the artificial rills by which the fields 

 were irrigated. About half way we came to a 

 wissel-post, where there were only one or two fresh 

 horses waiting us. There was said to be a great 

 sickness at present among the horses, and they were 

 difficult to be procured. We accordingly rode 

 gently on, and reached Batu about eleven o'clock. 

 This is a small but very pleasantly situated place 

 at the foot of the ridge which connects the Kawi 

 and Arjuno mountains. It is environed by hills on 

 every side except the east, but is much less em- 

 bosomed in woods than is usually the case. 



Most of the slopes, except those of Kawi just be- 

 hind us, were covered with green fields, or with 

 long waving alang alang, a few scattered thickets of 

 wood marking the course of the brooks in the hol- 

 lows. The passangerang was comfortable, with an 



