The latter and more common name is from a Malayan word signifying fragments or tatters, and the application is whimsically explained by the condition of the sails of the vessel in which the island was circumnavigated for the first time; but it may with more plausibility be supposed to allude to the broken or intersected land for which the eastern coast is so remarkable.  It will indeed be seen in the map that in the vicinity of what are called Rupat’s Straits there is a particular place of this description named Pulo Percha, or the Broken Islands.  As to the appellation of Pulo Ber-api, or Volcano Island, which has also occurred, it is too indefinite for a proper name in a region of the globe where the phenomenon is by no means rare or peculiar, and should rather be considered as a descriptive epithet.

Magnitude.

In respect to magnitude, it ranks amongst the largest islands in the world; but its breadth throughout is determined with so little accuracy that any attempt to calculate its superficies must be liable to very considerable error.  Like Great Britain it is broadest at the southern extremity, narrowing gradually to the north; and to this island it is perhaps in size more nearly allied than in shape.

Mountains.

A chain of mountains runs through its whole extent, the ranges being in many parts double and treble, but situated in general much nearer to the western than the opposite coast, being on the former seldom so much as twenty miles from the sea, whilst on the eastern side the extent of level country, in the broader part of the island, through which run the great rivers of Siak, Indragiri, Jambi, and Palembang, cannot be less than a hundred and fifty.  The height of these mountains, though very great, is not sufficient to occasion their being covered with snow during any part of the year, as those in South America between the tropics are found to be.  Mount Ophir,* or Gunong Pasaman, situated immediately under the equinoctial line, is supposed to be the highest visible from the sea, its summit being elevated thirteen thousand eight hundred and forty-two feet above that level; which is no more than two-thirds of the altitude the French astronomers have ascribed to the loftiest of the Andes, but somewhat exceeds that of the Peak of Tenerife.

(Footnote.  The following is the result of observations made by Mr. Robert Nairne of the height of Mount Ophir: 

Height of the peak above the level of the sea, in feet:  13,842. 
English miles:  2.6216. 
Nautical miles:  2.26325. 
Inland, nearly:  26 nautical miles. 
Distance from Massang Point:  32 nautical miles. 
Distance at sea before the peak is sunk under the horizon:  125 nautical
miles. 
Latitude of the peak:  0 degrees 6 minutes north. 
A volcano mountain, south of Ophir, is short of that in height by:  1377
feet. 
Inland, nearly 29 nautical miles. 
In order to form a comparison I subjoin the height,