Java.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 393 



about 15 miles within the entrance of the strait, in latitude 8° 42 S., 

 and longitude 116° 33' E. It contains a great number of inhabitants, of 

 whose industry every part of the surrounding country exhibits decisive 

 proofs. Large proas come here from Macassar, Ainboyna, and other 

 places, for rice, and He upon a beach within a reef, through which there 

 is a passage for them even at low water. 



Provisions. — Cattle may be procured here in any number for Spanish 

 dollars, the value of which is well known, as a considerable trade in the 

 produce of the island is carried on with many of the Dutch settlements. 

 Rice may be had cheap, and in plenty. Fruit, poultry, and vegetables are 

 to be purchased for clasp knives, glass bottles, buttons, cotton handkerchiefs, 

 iron hoops, &c. 



SAPY STRAIT is formed between the E. end of the Island 

 Sumbawa and the W. side of Commodo, or RotU Island. The S. entrance 

 is in latitude 8° 40 S., and longitude 119° 20 E. ; and from the facility 

 with which wood, water, and refreshments are procured, and from the 

 navigation being safe, it has frequently been preferred to the other straits E. 

 of Java. The principal place is Sapy Bay, on the Sumbawa side. 



The village or town of Sapy is built on a creek in the S. W. part of the 

 bay, about three-quarters of a mile from the sea, where beef, fowls, goats, 

 yams, sweet potatoes, and coco-nuts are to be obtained from the natives, 

 in exchange for red and blue cotton handkerchiefs, large clasp knives, empty 

 bottles, iron hoops, and muskets. Of the value of money they seem to have 

 but little knowledge. The water procured here is excellent ; but getting it 

 off is attended with some difficulty ; the best watering place is to the S. of 

 Rees's Bay, which is not more than 20 yards from high water mark. 



On the E. end of Sumbawa, in latitude 8° 10 S., and longitude about 

 118° 15 E., is II ima, where sapan wood grows in abundance, and of a 

 superior kind. 



MANGER AY STRAIT is formed by Commodo Island and the 

 W. end of Flores, or Mangeray ; but it is intricate, being full of rocks and 

 small islands little known, and ought therefore to be avoided. The N. part 

 of this strait is in latitude 8° 20 S,, and longitude 119 39' E. 



FLOKES STRAIT is bounded on the W. side by the E. part of 

 Mangeray Island, and on the E. side by the Islands of Solor and Adenaro, 

 or Sabraon ; it extends nearly N. N. E. and S. W. There is a burning 

 mountain on Flores of a considerable height. Ende, the principal port, 

 is near the centre of the S. side of the island, has an uncommonly fine 

 harbour, and is the only safe port on the S. side of any of these island*. 

 Its exports were considerable. 



