TOPOGRAPHY. Java is very mountainous, and is remarkable for the number of its volcanic peaks, 45 in all—ranging in height from 2000 to 12,040 feet above the level of the sea, clad with verdure to their summits, and having slopes fertile in nearly all their climatic zones. The general fiend is from west to east. A striking difference is noted between the western and eastern halves of the island. In the former the volcanoes are bunched together, forming great masses, without intervals or plateaus. Toward the east the vol canic peaks are for the most part isolated one from the other, with a large number of valleys and plains, deep gorges, and rushing streams. Most of the active volcanoes are found in the western cud, and of these fourteen are found in an area of 20 by 35 miles. During historic ages these volcanoes are known to have destroyed many tens of thousands of human lives, and within recent times several have exploded, spread ing devastation on all sides. The peak of Iling ghit, once one of the highest. lest much of its form by internal explosions in 1680, destroying 10,000 lives. In May, 1901, the Kloet, one of the smaller volcanoes, broke into eruption after many years' quiet, enveloping towns 150 to 250 miles distant in thick darkness, destroying the sugar crop, and killing several Europeans and about one hundred natives. Among the best known mountains are: Salak, 7000 feet, smith of Batavia ; 9718; Tjirmaj, 10,070; Slamat, 11,247; Marhahu, 10,673; Raun, 10,822; and Semeru, 12.040 feet high. The list of eruptions in historic times is a formidable one, that best known in the Western world being that of Kra katoa in the Strait of Sunda. Earth quakes are of common occurrence, though not usually veer destructive, Java abounds in plains, valleys, and forests, the richest alluvial coast land being in the north west, in the provinces of Bantam, Batavia, Kra \yang, and Cheribon: yet all through the eastern half are many beautiful and fertile plains, and no part of the island, unless it be the Preanger Residency, which occupies the southern half of the western part. and a few provinces in the east
ern half, lacks rivers. As the southern coast is relatively high and mountainous, with a long northern slope, most of the streams flow into the Java Sea. In the rainy season at least fifty streams can be used for floating rafts to the sea, and five or six are always navigable for some distance from their mouth. The longest is the Solo, 175 miles long, on which is situated the city of Surakarta. For most of the year it is navigable for boats and river steamers. The Sura baya River, or Brantes, the next in importance, rising on the western slope of Semeru, forms, with its tributary, a curve with three sides, and enters the sea near the Solo. one of its mouths being near the city of Surabaya, where is found the best harbor in Java. The third important ricer is the Tji Manuk, which nearly traverses the island, and the fourth is the Tji larun.
Cu .VrE. Though so near the equator, -lava is, to those who avoid excess in eating and drink ing, and refrain from exposure after sunset to the air of Inc lowland marshes, quite healthful. From April to October there is perpetual shine, with only occasional light showers, and the We-tern white man must avoid the direct rays of the sun during the heat of the day. From I fetober to April there is almost a steady rainfall, exetla that the sun shines for a while daily, generally during the morning. In the west, however. no part of the year is free from rain. Land and sea breezes render life com fortable all the year round. Violent storms, winds. or hurricanes are unknown, though near the high peaks rain-, with terrific lightning and thunder. are frequent. The annual rainfall is about SO inches. the heaviest rainfall occurring in December, January. and February. The aver age temperature at Batavia is 79.69° F. (the average of twelve years), and the extreme range on the lowest levels is 26°.