Page:Life in Java Volume 1.djvu/219

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THREE VOLCANOES.
201

reddish shade. The vegetation on the upper part of the mountain is exceedingly sparse. A deep ravine, clothed with masses of dark green forest trees, apparently divides the summit on one side, causing it to appear like two mountains. The lower part of the volcano, as well as the space between it and the lake, was covered with a dense jungle, which, stretching downwards to the margin of the water, encircled it with its verdant arms.

Between the Lamongan, the Smeroe, and Bromok, there is supposed to be some connecting link, as it is a curious fact that flames seldom issue from more than one of these mountains at the same time. A gentleman told us that he once ascended the mountain of Ardjuno, and, during the night which he passed on the summit, amused himself by watching the flames issuing from the three craters, whose respective situations, though the night was pitch dark, he well knew. The first one which ejected fire was the Smeroe, and in a few moments