146 GUADALUPE
GRESSIE. In Javanese oorrectly Garsik, th a t is, “ d r y la n d ” or firm land,
distinguished from muddy or marshy, is the name of a district of the province of
Surabaya, m Java. It lies along the shore of the narrow strait which divides Java
irom Madura, towards the western end of the latter. The Solo river, the principal one
ot Java disembogues within it. Gressie is remarkable for its production of bay-salt,
its sea-fishery, with its stews or fish-ponds, the property of the government, and the
source of a considerable public revenue. It was in Gressie that the Mahommedan
strangers who eventually overthrew the ancient religion of Java, first established
themselves m the 14th century, and the tomb of one of these apostles of Islam, who
v ‘ .?u 1| 91: 18 stl11 Panted out. Gressie was the first spot of Java seen and visited
by the Portuguese, Antonio d Abreu, the European discoverer of the Moluccas
r ^ 8 Way. these islands in 1511, although in the Portuguese
Agaixn Barros, it is hardly recognisable in the strange corruption of
GROBOGAN. The name of a district of the province of Japara, in Java. This
inland district and the neighbouring one of Blora, contain some of the finest teak
forests of the island, but the most remarkable thing connected with Grobogan is its
brine springs, which yield a considerable supply of culinary salt. These are found
in that portion of the district which consists of lime-stone. They are thus described
by my friend,Dr. Horsfield: “ These wells are dispersed through7» d r i t r ic to f c o u ^
several miles in circumference, the base of which, like that of other parts of the
island which furnish mineral and other saline waters, is lime-stone. They are of
considerable number, and force themselves upwards through apertures in the rocks
salt°med iT 06 and ebulli.tion- Tbe waters are strongly impregnated with
sea-salt, and yield upon evaporation very good salt for culinary purposes, in quantity
not less than 200 tons a-year. About the centre of this lime-stone district is found
an extraordinary volcanic phenomenon. On approaching it from a distance, it is first
discovered by large volumes of smoke rising and disappearing, at intervals of a few
ansm8 from a violent surf;heard like that of distant thunder. Having advanced so nea r wthhailte tha ed vuilsl ionno iisse nios
longer impeded by the smoke, a large hemispherical mass is observed, consisting of
black earth mixed with water, about sixteen feet in diameter, rising to the height of
twenty or thirty feet m a perfectly regular manner, and, as it were, pushed up by a
force beneath, which suddenly explodes with a dull noise, and scatters about a
volume of black mud in every direction. After an interval of two or three or
sometimes four or five seconds, the hemispherical body of mud or earth rises and
explodes again. In the same manner this volcanic ebullition goes on without inter-
+K? “ n’i ^ r0WnlgT a g body, of mud’ and disPersing it with violence through
the neighbouring plain. The spot where the ebullition occurs is nearly circular, and
perfectly level. It is covered only with the earthy particles impregnated with salt
water which are thrown up from below. Its circumference may be estimated at about
half an English mile. In order to conduct the salt water to the circumference, small
passages or gutters are made m the loose muddy earth, which convey it to the borders
where it is collected m holes dug in the ground for the purpose of evaporation. A
strong, pungent, sulphurous smell, somewhat resembling that of earth-oil is ner-
ceived on standing near the explosion, and the mud recently thrown up possesses a
degree of heat greater than that of the surrounding atmosphere. During the rainv
season, these explosions are more violent, the mud is thrown up much higher, and
the noise is heard at a greater distance. This volcanic phenomenon is situated near
the centre of the large plain, and the large series of volcanos, and owes its origin to
the general cause of the numerous volcanic eruptions which occur in the island
Transactions of the Batavian Society of Arts and Sciences, vol. ix. This sinsmW
phenomenon is known to the Javanese under the name of Kuwu, as is also -the
village of salt-makers near it. In Javanese the word simply means “ place of abode
or residence. But in Javanese legend the eruption is supposed to be produced by
a fabulous monster snake, of which the place is alleged to be the dwelling. Grobogan
was also the seat of an ancient Javanese kingdom.
GUADALUPE. The name of a monastery and sanctuary of the island of Luzon
about two leagues south-east of the city of Manilla, and situated on the summit of a
high rock on the left bank of the river Pasig. Its height is such that it takes
several hundred steps of a stair cut m the rock to reach it. The monastery and the
church which belongs to it were built as early as 1601, and are under the direction of
the shod Augustine fnars. The view from the top is one of the most extensive in
147 HAROEKOE
the Philippine islands, embracing the whole metropolitan province of Tondo, with
the city and spacious bay of Manilla. The climate has such a reputation for salubrity
that many convalescents repair to it. The sanctuary is dedicated to Saint Nicolas,
and on the 10th day of September, his birth-day, vast crowds repair to it to pay
their devotionB and make offerings at his shrine. Among these votaries the most
remarkable are the heathen Chinese of Manilla. With this people the saint has
obtained the reputation of being the special protector of merchants and mariners.
On his anniversary, the river Pasig is covered with their noisy procession on the way
to make offerings, and to purchase pictures of Saint Nicolas, one of which is possessed
by every infidel Chinese in Manilla, placed side by side, say the Spanish clergy, with
those of Confucius.
I GUAYA. Several species of the genus Psidium yield this fruit, a native of
tropical South America, and most probably brought by the Portuguese from Brazil.
This hardy and easily-reared fruit, little prized by natives or Europeans, is to be
found in every part of the Archipelago, even growing wild in the jungles. The
Malays, in their rough botanical arrangement, class it with the jambu, calling one
species of it jambu-biji, the seedy jambu; another jambu china, or the Chinese
jambu ; and a third jambu-bol, the meaning of which I am unacquainted with.
R'GUIMANES. The name of one of the wild tribes of the island of Luzon, of the
’ brown-complexioned race, inhabiting the Great Cordillera, between the provinces of
South Ilocos and Abra. They are represented as being among the most savage of
the wild races, living in the recesses of the mountains, and descending from them
only to commit depredations on their more civilised, but still infidel neighbours, the
Tinguianes.
H GUIMARAS. The name of a considerable island of the Philippines, lying in the
channel between the large islands of Panay and Negros, and forming a part of the
province of Iloilo in the first. It is about 27 geographical miles in length, and 10
in breadth, and has an area of 210 square geographical miles. It is four leagues
distant from Negros, and three-quarters of a league from Panay. Guimaras is
mountainous,—contains forests of useful timber, and its soil is fertilised by many
streams. Its productions are rice, maiz, the coco-nut palm, cacoa, tobacco, cotton,
and abaca. The inhabitants manufacture coarse and fine cloths, and besides their
agricultural labours, find employment in hunting and fishing. On the western
side of the island there is a town of 994 houses,or rather Indian huts, and the total
population is 5964, paying a tribute of 9335 reals of plate.
I GUN and GUNPOWDER. See Aems. -
I GUNTUR (Gtjxtjng) is the name of a mountain of Java, in the country of the
Sundas, and district of Bandung, having an active volcano. I t rises to the height
of 7000 feet above the level of the sea, and 5000 above the plain of Bandung. The
name signifies “ Thunder-mountain,” no douht derived from its eruptions.
I GUNUNG. This is the Javanese word for mountain, the corresponding Malay
one being bukit. It has, however, been introduced into many languages of the
Archipelago. I t is always prefixed to the names of considerable mountains, and
-indeed, forms an integral part of the name of most of them, as Gunung-gàdé, the
name of a mountain in Java, signifying “ great mountain/’ and Gunung-agung the
name of the highest mountain of Bali, meaning “ chief or principal mountain.” ’
E GUNUNG-API, literally “ fire-mountain,” is the usual name for a volcano
but is also the proper name of some islets with active volcanos, as of one at thè
eastern end of Sumbawa, and of another in the Banda group. The first of these
which has an elevation of 5800 feet, is inhabited, and famous for horses of the best
blood of the Archipelago. The last has a height of 2500 feet above the sea, and is
celebrated for its frequent and formidable eruptions.
HALMAHERA. See Almahee a.
HARAFORA. See A lfo b a .
HAROEKOE or HARUKU, called also OMA and BUWANG-BASI (iron-ejecting)
islandnAmb,ra « y * «lands of tbe Amboyna group, and lies between the mail
island Ambun and Saparoewa, in south latitude 3° 40', and east longitude 128° 83'
L 2