278 COMPENDIUM OF GEOGRAPHY AND TRAVEL 



that it is not possible to give with certainty even a 

 rough outline of its physical geography. Each peninsula 

 is nevertheless known to have a central mountain chain. 

 In the north and south this has a tolerably continuous 

 elevation, while in the eastern limb it is believed to be 

 for the most part of lower altitude and discontinuous. 

 No active volcanoes are known except in Minahasa, the 

 district at the extremity of the northern peninsula, but 

 there are abundant evidences of their former existence in 

 several places. These chains, which are believed to radiate 

 from a high central m.ass, of which Mount Latimojong is 

 possibly tlie nucleus, are found to be largely formed of 

 gneisses and granites wherever they have been examined, 

 and in various districts, but especially in the north, a 

 great deal of auriferous quartz is found. At the southern 

 extremity rises a mass of elevated land, composed of 

 Secondary rocks and distinct from the main range, cul- 

 minating in the Peak of Bonthain, which is said to be 

 over 10,000 feet in height. The height of the Donda 

 mountain, at the north-western angle of the island, is 

 also stated to be nearly 10,000 feet, but in neither case 

 does the appearance of the mountain justify such an 

 estimate. JMount Klal^at a volcano situated at the 

 extreme northern point, has an altitude of 6800 feet. 

 As far as is yet known, these and Mount Tukala (8500 

 feet), in the eastern peninsula, are the most important 

 peaks of Celebes. 



The northern peninsula, rugged and mountainous, and 

 clothed with dense vegetatioii, terminates in Minahasa, 

 one of the most fertile districts in the archipelago, and it 

 is here only that the volcanic forces are still active which 

 are traceable in other parts of the island. Gunong 

 Sudara (4400 feet), Klabat, the Lokon peak (5240 feet), 

 Saputan (5963 feet), Tongkoko, and others, are all vol- 



