SUMATRA. This is one of the most fer tile and important islands in the eastern hemisphere. Rice is cultivated in the lowest plains and in the elevated valleys of the mountain range. The most common es culent vegetables are different kinds of yams, both red and white ; the St. Helena yam ; sweet potatoes, common potatoes only in the more elevated districts ; bredy, a kind of spinach ; lobuck, or the Spanish radish ; the large purple brinjall, or eggplant; and many different sorts of beans, with white and green peas, and onions. The peas and onions are articles of export from the north-eastern coast to Penang and Singapore. Chili or capsicum, turmeric, ginger, coriander, and cummin seed, are raised, especially on the western coast. Hemp is extensively culti vated, but only for smoking with tobacco. Tobacco is also grown, and is an article of export from the harbours on the north eastern coast. Melons are raised on the plains, and sometimes attain an extraordinary size. Sesamnm is cultivated for its oil ; and the Palma Christi, from which castor-oil is obtained, grows wild. The sugar-cane is ,only cultivated for chewing; no sugar is manufac tured, but it is imported from Java. The plantations of betel-vines are extensive. In digo and cotton are raised for domestic use only. The fruits are abundant, and inchtde the cocoa-nut, plantains, banana, the bread fruit tree, jack-tree, mangusteens, durians, mango, different kinds of orange and lemon trees, especially the shaddock : the pihe.apple,
the jamb°, the guava, the papaya, the custard apple, the pomegranate, and the tamarind The pepper-plant is more abundant in Sumatra than in any other part of the globe. Coffee, sago, cloves, and nutmegs are grown. The forests supply an inexhaustible variety of timber.
Sumatra was once noted for its gold, and a considerable quantity is still exported. Tin occurs in several places on the great plain, but is very little worked, as large quantities are obtained in the Island of Banca, where it is got with less labour. Copper is found be tween 2° and 3° N. lat., where it occurs in great abundance in an extensive tract. Sumatra contains gold, but it is not much worked. Iron, sulphur, saltpetre, coal, and salt, occur in small quantities.
Nothing perhaps shows more clearly the advanced state of civilization of the inhabitants of Sumatra than their manufacturing industry. The most important manufactures are those of iron and steel, which are carried to a con siderable degree of perfection in Menangcabau, where iron has been worked from time imme morial. Silk and cotton fabrics, earthenware, and various works in metal, are among the best of the manufactures.