CHAPTEE IX 



THE MOLUCCAS 



1. General. 



The term Moluccas, or Maluco Islands, was originally 

 applied to the five small islands which are situated on 

 the west side of Gilolo, or Halmahera, as the island is 

 more properly termed, and in which alone the precious 

 clove was produced. Now, it is extended so as to include 

 almost all the islands which lie directly between Celebes 

 and New Guinea. The three large islands which are 

 considered geographically to form the most important 

 portion of the Moluccan group are Gilolo, Ceram, and 

 Burn ; but between and around these are a vast number 

 of islands of various sizes, so connecting the Moluccas 

 with the New Guinea and Timor groups that it is very 

 difficult to define accurately what islands should be 

 included in the one or the other. 



As we have already considered the Sangir and Salibabu 

 islands to be extensions of Celebes, we have no difficulty 

 in fixing on Morti or Morotai, to the north of Gilolo, as 

 being the first island of the group in this direction. In 

 like manner, having taken the Xulla islands as belong- 

 ing to Celebes, we have the Batjan group. Obi, and 

 Buru as the western limits of the Moluccas. To the 



