393 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Java. 



trade ; but it has gone to decay. Numbers of Malays and Chinese reside 

 in the village- It is considered very unhealthy, and is the place where the 

 convicts from Batavia are sent to work in the pepper and coffee plantations, 

 of which there are several, likewise a small indigo manufactory. 



The S. coast of Java does not contain any places of trade, and being 

 seldom visited, is but little known. There are several bays, but the 

 greater part of the coast is inaccessible, from the heavy surf constantly 

 beating upon it. 



To the E. of Java is a range of islands ; between them are channels 

 or straits, occasionally frequented in time of war by the East India 

 Company's ships bound to China, and which obtain refreshments at several 

 places on the islands. The principal straits are Bally, Lombock, and Alass. 



BALLY STRAIT Is in latitude 8° !39 S., and longitude 114° 37 E., 

 between the island ot* the same name and the E. end of Java, and is 5 or 6 

 leagues wide. Nearly in the middle of the strait, on the Coast of Java, 

 is Balembouang Bay, already described. Ships passing through this strait, 

 should endeavour to keep in mid channel, with boats out ready to tow, as 

 the tides run very rapid, with eddies near the points in the narrow part. 

 On this account Bally Strait is now little frequented, the preference being 

 given to those to the E. 



LOMBOCK STRAIT is formed by the Island of Bally to the W., 

 and that of Lombock to the E. ; the S. entrance is in latitude 8 J 45 S., 

 and longitude 115° 43 E., and is known by a large island, called Banditti 

 Island, to the W. of which there is no passage. Ships under the necessity 

 of passing through this strait, seldom find anchorage, and the tides are 

 very rapid, with strong eddies, which are a great inconvenience. There 

 is a place called Carang Assem, on the Island of Bally, where ships in 

 want of provisions and refreshments may obtain a few supplies. There 

 is also a small town on Lombock, nearly opposite. 



ALASS STRAIT, called by the natives Gilleesee, is about 4+ miles 

 to the Ei of that of Lombock, and formed by that island to the W., 

 and Sumbawa to the E, The strait extends about 16 leagues N. N. E. 

 and S. W.j and is about six miles wide in the narrowest part. The S. 

 entrance is in latitude about S° 45 S., and longitude 1 16° 38 E. 



This strait is considered the best and safest to the E. of Java, 

 having anchorage at the several towns and villages, where cattle and re- 

 freshments of ail kinds may be procured in abundance, and from a people 

 with whom you safely trade, whose character is very opposite to that of 

 the Malay tribes. The principal place visited by ships frequenting this 

 strait is Bally Town, or Loboagee, on the Island of Lombock, which is 



