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coco-palms (Cocos nucifera L.) papaws (Caries papaya L.), cassava 

 (Man/hot utilissima Pohl), Guinea-pepper (Caps'cum annuum L.\ Chillies 

 (Capsicum frutescens L.) and diverse species of vegetables and aromatic 

 weeds (i a. Gastrochi/us panduratum Rid/.). As domestic animals he kept 

 hens, geese and swine. He sunk many shafts, one in order to get 

 drinking water, the others in order to ascertain how thick the layer 

 of pumice was in diverse localities. A well sunk quite near the house 

 had a depth of six metres and yielded all the year round a sufficient 

 amount of water. This water, though drinkable, had a peculiar taste, 

 reminding of hydrogen sulphide (HjS). When sinking a well quite 

 near the coast, water was struck at a much less depth. Beneath the 

 layer of ashes and pumice Mr. Hand! found in many places unburnt 

 tree-trunks and other parts of plants. He got convinced that the vege- 

 tation, partly at least, had not been burnt by the eruption of 1883 

 but only buried. 



Off and on young coco-nuts were found washed ashore ') which, 

 when planted in u safe spot, grew up into trees. At an altitude of 

 600 or 700 meters tree-ferns were found. 



During Mr. H a n d I's two years' stay on the island (19151917) 

 there never u cJS a long period of drought. The rains were but seldom 

 extremely violent and never such as to cause serious trouble. Only during 

 and shortly after heavy showers the ravines and gullies carried water 

 to the sea. The top of the mountain was frequently wrapped in clouds. 



By sailing vessels the island may be easily reached from June 

 till August. During his stay on the island Mr. H a n d 1 received many 

 visitors. After many fruitless efforts his son discovered a way to the 

 top of the mountain, which could be reached only from the eastern 

 side because there were not accumulated so many loose materials. 

 He guided to the summit several of his visitors, i.a. Mr. Docters 

 van Leeuwen and some officers of the Topographical Survey 

 Service. 



As to wild animals, he observed on the island many bats, pigeons, 

 monitors, pythons, black and red ants and mosquitoes. Houserats 

 and cockroaches were accidentally imported with luggage; the first 

 rapidly multiplied. The sea around the island abounds in fish. 



In 1917 Mr. Handl went back to Java but left some people 

 on Krakatao in guard of his properties. From time to time he or his 

 son revisited the island. His son was there when in April 1919 

 Mr. Docters van Leeuwen visited the island and also in 



l ) These may quite well have originated from the island itself. 



