through the Preatiger Regencies in Java. 29 
towards the south and south-west of that country, and these in- 
deed, were among 4he most interesting scenes of his investiga- 
tion. The extensive mountain Patacka, which is the most re- 
markable of the range, elevates itself next to M(^unt Gede, above 
most of the other peaks of the adjoining ones ; the height of this 
is about 7400 English feet above the surface of the sea. Near the 
summit are still seen many proofs of early explosions or erup- 
tions, so that this mountain may be reckoned amongst the more 
ancient volcanoes of Java. On the very top of this mountain 
are two very wide abysses, which probably are the ancient cra- 
ters of volcanoes. The one on the south side of the mountain 
produces a very striking spectacle. It is an extensive circular 
bason on the very summit of the peak, at the bottom of which, 
to the depth of more than 700 feet, is a great lake of sulphur. 
A considerable quantity of sulphur is also spread over the sides 
of the bason, and mixed with decomposed stones, forming a yel- 
lowish-white crust all around this abyss. The sulphureous va- 
pours have penetrated even through the rocks of the mountain, 
which are originally of a black basalt, and have partly dissolved 
them so much into a loose white sand, that their former nature 
is with difficulty distinguished. 
The second abyss, which is on the north side of the top of 
that mountain, is also a spacious and deep bason, but its bottom 
is dry, and scantily overgrown with wild plants. 
The particular Mountain of Patacka, as also the other eleva- 
tions of the range, being more or less connected with the others 
to the north and west of them, compose one part of the district 
of^Ronga, in which is also the Mountain of Tombak-Pacyong, 
of the elevation of 5900 feet. These are everywhere covered 
with thick woods, which afford an amazing variety of plants, 
changing in their nature at every different degree of height. 
The prospect from the summit of the Patacka, especially to- 
wards the south, over the district of Tjidam, extends as far as 
the sea, over a wilderness, and in other directions offers a varie- 
ty of prospects, combining hills, woods, and an endless number 
of singularly shaped rocks. 
From the cold atmosphere of the district of Tjifondarie, the 
rice fields produce a later harvest than in the other pro- 
vinces j but many Indian fruit-trees cannot be reared there, as 
