JAVA 
135 
other, are roughly built, and ornamented with sculptures 
of a grotesque and obscene nature and rude execution. 
There are no Hindu images, but representations of 
animals and monsters only, and the temples were no 
doubt dedicated to the worship of the Linga or Hindu 
Priapus in its grossest form. The whole country from 
Gunong Prau to Jokjokarta, a distance of 60 miles, 
abounds with ruins, so that fine sculptured images may 
be seen built into the walls of enclosures, or lying 
neglected in ditches. When all these wonderful build¬ 
ings were in their full perfection Java must have 
presented a very different appearance from that of the 
present day, when wooden houses or low white-washed 
huts are alone to be seen through the greater part of 
the interior. The Mohammedans destroyed most of 
these temples as signs of paganism, and they are now 
looked upon by the natives as the work of superior 
beings or of demons, and the arts of architecture and 
sculpture are totally lost. 
9. Agriculture and Trade. 
The Malay of Java is perhaps more essentially an 
agriculturist than any others of his race in the archipelago. 
Ptice being the staple food, enormous quantities of it are 
needed and produced for the twenty-three million persons 
inhabiting the island, and the harvest may be put at an 
average of 4^- millions of tons. Very little is exported, and 
indeed in some years importation is even necessary. The 
common Oryza sativa is grown chiefly upon the irrigated 
lower grounds or sawatis, but other varieties of the cereal 
are used for the non-irrigated or tagcd lands. Its culti¬ 
vation with the natives is almost a religion, and is hedged 
