A Descriptive Dictionary of the Indian Islands & Adjacent Countries

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1856. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... assign for its foundation the year of Salivana 525, corresponding to the year of Christ 603. Such a kingdom, moat likely, did exist, but nothing is known of it but its name. MADIOEN, or, in a more correct orthography, Madiyun, is the name of a province of Java, in the proper country of the Javanese nation. It is composed of one of tho seven principal valleys or plains of the island,--that which lies between the mountain of Lawu to the west, 10,750 feet high, an active volcano, and that of Wilis, to the cast, 7,957 feet. The area of this province is computed at 1580 square miles, and by a census made in 1850, its population was made 307,029, so that it has 194 inhabitants to the square mile,--all Javanese, except 1059 Chinese, 113 Europeans, or their descendants, and 120 Arabs, and natives of Celebes. The number of oxen and buffalos, in 1843, was 103,500, and of horses, 18,000. Its teak forests are valuable, and so extensive as to amount to 510 square miles, or to cover near one-third of ita whole surface. Its natural staples are rice, pulses, cotton, and tobacco, but the Dutch, to whom it was surrendered in 1830, have introduced the forced culture of the sugar-cane, coffee, indigo, and even of cinnamon and tea. MADRE (sierra De), or the Gran Cordillera. This is the name given by the Spaniards to the highest portion of the mountain chain which runs from south to north through the island of Luzon. The Sierra Madi d is reckoned to commenco in latitude 16°, and to end at Cape Engaho, at the northern end of the island, in latitude 18° 37', its length being estimated at fifty leagues. It is of great breadth, the whole area occupied by it being reckoned at 250 square leagues, but it seems nowhere to exceed 6000 feet high. In its fastnesses are found many of t...