9. The seven elevated mountains, forming the boundary lines of this continent, are its seeds; and the great mount of Sumeru reaching to the sky, is situated in the midst. (_i.e._ The topmost north pole). 10. Its lakes are as dewdrops on the lotus-leaf, and its forests are as the farina of the flower; and the people inhabiting the land all around, are as a swarm of bees about it. 11. Its extent is a thousand yojanas square, and is surrounded on all sides by the dark sea like a belt of black bees. 12. It contains nine _varshas_ or divisions, which are ruled by nine brother kings, resembling the regents of its eight petalled sides, with the Bhárata-varsha in the midst. 13. It stretches a million of miles with more of land than water in it. Its habitable parts are as thickly situated as the frozen ice in winter. 14. The briny ocean which is twice as large as the continent, girds it on the outside, as a bracelet encircles the wrist. 15. Beyond it lies the Sáka continent of a circular form, and twice as large as the former one, which is also encircled by the sea. 16. This is called the milky ocean for the sweetness of its water, and is double the size of the former sea of salt. 17. Beyond that and double its size is the Kusadwípa continent, which is full of population. It is also of the size of a circle, and surrounded by another sea. 18. Around it lies the belt of the sea of curds, delectable to the gods, and double the size of the continent which is encircled by it. 19. After that lies the circle of the Krauncha dwípa, which is also twice the size of the former one, and surrounded by a sea in the manner of a city by a canal. 20. This sea is called the sea of butter, and is twice as large as the continent which is girt by it. Beyond it lies the Sálmali dwípa, girt by the foul sea of wine. 21. The fair belt of this sea resembles a wreath of white flowers, like the girdle of the _Sesha_ serpent, forming the necklace hanging on the breast of Hari. 22. Thereafter is stretched the Plaxa dwípa, double the size of the former, and encircled by the belt of the sea of sugar, appearing as the snowy plains of Himálaya. 23. After that lies the belt of the Pushkara dwípa, twice as large as the preceding one, and encircled by a sea of sweet water double its circumference. 24. Hence they saw at the distance of ten degrees, the descent to the infernal regions; where there lay the belt of the south polar circle, with its hideous cave below. 25. The way to the infernal cave is full of danger and fear, and ten times in length from the circle of the _dwípas_ (continents). 26. This cave is encompassed on all sides by the dreadful vacuum, and is half covered below by a thick gloom, appearing as a blue lotus attached to it. 27. There stood the Lokáloka Kumeru or South Polar mountain, which is bright with sun-shine on one side, and covered by darkness on the other, and is studded with various gems on its tops, and decked with flowers growing upon it.