224 
CRUISE OF H.M.S. CHALLENGER. 
are now reduced to a state of vassalage, and are but 
regal slaves, whose pomp and state are maintained 
by the dollars of the Dutch. The villages close at 
hand consist of a number of bamboo-built houses, 
nicely sheltered with cocoa-nut and banana trees, 
and picturesquely situated on a little projecting 
point almost surrounded by the bright blue sea. 
On my way back to the European quarter I heard 
the booming of the drum from the large mosque 
close at hand, calling all the faithful to assemble to 
return thanks to the Prophet at the close of the 
departing day. I went into the building, which is 
a square, pagoda-like structure with several roofs, 
one above the other, and each being a little smaller 
than the one beneath it. A wall surrounds the build- 
ing, inside which was a large well, or pool, where all 
the faithful performed their ablutions before pro- 
ceeding into the sanctuary. After getting within 
the inclosure, an inclined terrace of steps led to the 
entrance door, where boots had to be removed, and 
I entered barefooted the sacred precincts amongst 
the worshippers, who were kneeling in front of a 
recess, or niche, and a gaily painted and decorated 
dais, or throne ; but I could learn nothing as to the 
objects in view, and the whole of the religious cere- 
mony appeared to consist of the repetition of a 
certain number of prayers or passages from the 
Koran, on the termination of which all seemed 
to disperse highly pleased. Before we left Ter- 
