294 



JMBOYNA, 



ICHAP. XX. 



ijiotbs, and in his lioxes I saw grand specimens of tlie 

 emerald Oniithoptera priamus and the a^mre Tapilio 

 ulysses, with many more of the snperh hnttorHies of this 

 rich island. Dr. Molinike confined him;?elf clnefly to the 

 beetles, and had formed a magnilicent collection dnring 

 man}' years* residence in Java, Sumatra, Borneo, Ja]ian, 

 and AniboynsL The Japanese collection was especially 

 interesting, containing hoth the fine Cai*abi of northern 

 conntries and the gorgeous Buprestidie and Longicorns of 

 the troi»ics. The doctor made the voyage Ui Jeddo by 

 land from Nagasaki, and is well acquainted with the 

 character, manners, and customs of the people of Ja]>anj 

 ami with the geology, physical features, and natural 

 history of the country, lie showed nie collections of 

 cheap woodcuts printed in coIoui'S, which are sold at less 

 than a farthing eacli^ and comprise an endless variety of 

 sketches of tlopanese scenery and inannens. Though rude, 

 they are very characteristic, and often exhibit touches of 

 great humour. He also possesses a large collection of 

 coloured sketches; of tlie plants of Ja]>an, made by a 

 Japanese lady, which ate the most masterly things I have 

 ever seen. Every stem, twig, and leaf is produced by 

 single touches of the brush, the character and perspective 

 of very complicated plants being admirably given, and the 

 articulations of stem and leaves shown in a most scientific 

 manner. 



Having made arrangements to stay for three weeks at a 

 small but, on a newly cleai-ed plantation in the interior of 

 the northern half of the island, I with some difficulty 

 obtained a boat and men to take me across the water; 

 for the Amboynese are tlreadfuLly laz}^ Passing up the 

 harbour, in appearance lilve a tine river, the clearness of 

 the water alTorded me one of the most astonishing and 

 beautiful sights I have ever beheld. The bottom wtia 

 absolutely hidden by a continuous scries of corals, sponges, 

 actiniae, and other marine productions, of magnificent 

 dimeuisions, varied fonus, and brilliant colours. The depth 

 varied from about twenty to fifty feet, and the bottom was 

 very uneven, rocks and chasms and little hills and valleys, 

 ottering a variety of stations !V>r the growth of these animsd 

 forests. In and out among them, moved numbers of blue 



