THE ISLAND OF BUTON 3S1 



Buton is a liilly island, but no mountains ap- 

 pear. Its geological formation is said to consist 

 of " recent limestone, containing madrepores and 

 shells." Here, again, we find indications of the wide 

 upheaval that appears to be occurring in the whole 

 archipelago, but especially in its eastern part. It 

 is quite famous for the valuable cotton it produces, 

 which, in the fineness and length of its fibres, is said 

 to excel that raised in any other part of the archi- 

 pelago, and is therefore highly valued by the Bugis 

 and Macassars. 



January ISth. — This morning we passed a large 

 American man-of-war coming down grandly fi'om the 

 west, under steam and a fall press of canvas. It is a 

 most agreeable and unexpected pleasure to see such 

 a representation of our powerful navy in these re- 

 mote seas.* 



The next day we passed through Salayar Strait, 

 which separates the southern end of the peninsula 

 of Celebes from the Salayar Islands, and may be re- 

 garded as the boundary between the alternating wet 

 and dry seasons on the opposite sides of Celebes. 



January lotJt. — Arrived back at Macassar. There 

 is nothing but one continuous series of heavy, pouring 

 showers, with sharp lightning and heavy thunder. 



* I had little idea, when the above was written, tiiat this ship was no 

 other than the Hartford, made so famous by Admiral Farra^ut's brave 

 and successful assault on the forts below ^fobile. and that Kear-Admiral 

 IT. II. Bell, then commanding; our Asiatic squadron, was on board; and 

 that durinp: that same year (1800) it would be my privilege to meet him, 

 and receive from him and the other officers of our United States ships 

 so much kind assistance in makintr long voyages on the coasts of China, 

 Corca, and Jai>an. 



