m, Wahai
and Amahai, the northern and the southern parts of Middle Ceram, and
Waru or Eastern Ceram. No central chain of mountains stretches west and
east through the island, but near the north coast hills, rising 2300 to
2600 ft., slope steeply to the shore. Near the south coast, west of the
Bay of Elpaputeh, a complex mass of mountains forms a colossal pyramid,
with peaks rising to nearly 5000 ft. The isthmus connecting the two
parts of the island is very narrow, and has a height of only 460 to 490
ft. The chief rivers flow north and south into bays, but are navigable
only for a few miles during the rainy season. The rainfall is very
heavy, amounting to 121 in. (mean annual) on the south coast. On the
north coast the bays of Savai and Waru are accessible for small vessels.
The geological structure, consisting chiefly of eruptive rocks and
crystalline limestone, is similar to that of northern Amboyna. In the
eastern section the prevailing rock is crystalline chalk, similar to
that of Buru. Several hot springs occur, and earthquakes are not
infrequent. About 4000 persons perished in the earthquake of 1899. A
large part of the interior is covered with dense forests, and except
along the coast the population is scanty. For the naturalist Ceram is
without much interest, lacking characteristic species or abundance of
specimens. The Bandanese pay occasional visits to shoot bears and deer;
there are numbers of wild goats and cattle; and among birds are
mentioned cassowaries, cockatoos, birds of paradise, and the swallows
that furnish edible nests. A large number of fish are to be found in the
various rivers; and as early as 1860 no fewer than 213 species were
described. The most valuable timber tree is the iron-wood. Rice, maize,
cocoa-nuts, sugar-cane and a variety of fruits are grown; and some
tobacco is exported to Europe; but by far the most important production
is the sago palm, which grows abundantly in the swampy districts,
especially of Eastern Ceram, and furnishes a vast supply of food, not
only to Ceram itself, but to other islands to the east. The Dutch have
established cocoa and coffee plantations at various points. The
coast-villages are inhabited by a mixed Malay population, Buginese,
Macassars, Balinese and other races of the archipelago. The interior is
occupied by the aborigines, a people of Papuan stock. They are savages
and head-hunters. The introduction of Christianity was hampered by the
baneful influence