80 COMPENDIUM OF GEOGEA.PHV AND TRAVEL 



however, not grown in sufficient quantities for the con- 

 sumption of the island, and some twenty or twenty-five 

 thousand tons are annually imported. While in 1887 a 

 total of 174 vessels entered the port, rather less than 

 half that number were registered in 1890, and with in- 

 creased taxes and dues the prosperity of the island seems 

 seriously threatened. 



Negros. 



Negros lies to the south-east of Panay, from which 

 it is separated by a strait about 15 miles in width. 

 It is 130 miles long, and on the average about 30 

 miles wide. Its area is 4650 square miles. Its 

 coast is comparatively little broken by bays or inlets, 

 and it has no good harbours. A central chain of 

 mountains runs through its entire length. For the most 

 part these are of no great height, but the Malaspina or 

 Canloon volcano, situated towards the northern end, forms 

 an exception. Its height is estimated at 8192 feet, and 

 it is in a state of intermittent activity. Owing to the 

 narrowness of the island there are no navigable rivers. 

 The inhabitants are chiefly Bisayans, and number with the 

 Negritos, from whose abundance the island received its 

 name, about 226,000. 



The island is fertile, and produces sugar, rice, tobacco, 

 and the textiles abaca and piha, and in common with 

 Zebu and Samar, a large amount of cacao. Its coal 

 mines appear to be no longer worked. The capital is 

 Bacolod on the west coast, opposite to Iloilo, where the 

 " politico -military " governor resides, and there are 

 numerous large villages around the coast, though few in 

 the interior. Hinigaran, the former capital, contains 

 over 12,000 inhabitants. 



