In proof of the Portuguese belief concerning the connection and size of Java, I quote here what Camoëns, their immortal poet, says:--
"Olha a Sunda* tao larger, que huma banda
Esconde pare o Sul difficultuoso."
Os Lusiadas.
Java behold, so large that one vast end
It, covers towards the South tempestuous.
[* Another name for Java.]
Diego do Couto's Pig
Towards the year 1570, however, practical Portuguese seamen had become aware of a more accurate shape for Java, and Diego do Couto, the Portuguese historian, describes its shape in the following manner:--
"The figure of the island of Java resembles a pig couched on its fore legs, with its snout to the Channel of Balabero,* and its hind legs towards the mouth of the Straits of Sunda, which is much frequented by our ships. The southern coast, [pig's back] is not frequented by us, and its bays and ports are not known; but the northern coast [pig's stomach] is much frequented, and has many good ports."
[* Modern Straits of Bali.]