Wanderings in New South Wales, Batavia, Pedir…

Country about Pedir-"White Lions"-The rajah's habits-A decision-Ornaments for the ear-Female curiosity-The rajah's horses-War between the rajah of Acheen and the rajah of Trumong-A native's account of the quarrel-Purchase of betel-nut-The Areka-nut-Trade in that article-Anecdote-A Chittagong brig-Dried fish-Beautiful appearance of the Golden Mountain-Assemblage of the mountains-Tornados-The fire king and his demons-Yamora-Burial-ground-Large tree-Small crabs-Game called Mein Achu-Leprosy-Party of natives-The Viverra musanga-Applications for medicine-Rajah of Putu-His retinue-Object of his visit.

The country about Pedir, as far as I had an opportunity of seeing it, was very picturesque, abounding in a luxuriant, natural vegetation, as well as in a state of cultivation. The native habitations are almost hidden by cocoa-nut, plantain, areka, eju, jack, and other trees; fragrant odours were exhaled from the multitude of flowers which strewed the surface of the ground; and a variety of profuse vegetation was spread over the face of nature. The soil is rich, and the numerous vegetables (among which the purple and white yams are abundant) planted in the gardens of the natives, are most prolific.[152] The habitations, as I have before noticed, are raised upon posts, which I should suppose, in these marshy situations, are intended to guard against the miasmata which must rise from the surface of the ground after the rains, and to the influence of which the inhabitants would be much exposed, if their dwellings were not placed on an elevated site. The plain is beautiful, and the back-ground of the landscape is terminated by mountains, varying in elevation, and extending in a direction principally from east to west; [153] sometimes covered by fleecy clouds, and at others, glowing in the varying and beautiful tints of a setting sun, which cast its expiring rays, undimmed by a cloud, over the towering masses.