256 LIFE IN JAVA.
preceded by hoarse noises, as though the vents were too small for the great rush of vapour pro- ceeding from them. The sounds we heard were very distinct and loud, in consequence of our prox- imity. The orifices are encrusted with thick deposits of a red and yellow substance, the ground on all sides being of a yellowish brown hue, in con- sequence of the quantity of sulphur with which the air is impregnated. A few of the holes were filled with Avater, blue as the sky above us, and apparently boiling hot. We lingered to gaze on this wondrous scene as long as we could stay, but the smoke, which sometimes rose in clouds before our faces, obliging us to close our eyes, compelled us at last to retreat, glad of having had the oppor- tunity of seeing thus much.
This crater, if not more, is at least four hundred feet long, and I should say about three hundred wide.
On our way back, we saw the extensive plains
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