THE MOLUCCAS 329 



The highest of these is Nusa-heH, the height of which 

 has been found to be 9612 feet, and there are at least 

 four other peaks exceeding 6000 feet. None of thein 

 are beheved to be volcanic, and the mass of tlui island 

 where it has been examined is found to be composed of 

 plutonic and sedimentary rocks. Coal exists, but of 

 what period does not seem clear. The only evidences of 

 active volcanic forces are hot springs and the rather 

 frequent occurrence of earthquakes. There is not a 

 single good harbour in the whole island except at 

 Amahai on the south coast, and there are no navigable 

 rivers. Towards the western end two deep bays, nearly 

 opposite each other, reduce the width of the island to 

 about 15 miles. Here a native path crosses from shore 

 to shore, and this is almost the only part of the interior 

 known to Europeans. 



The coast villages, as is generally the case in these 

 islands, are inhabited by a mixed Malay people, and in 

 the neighbourhood of the Amboina group many are 

 Orang Sirani, or so-called Christians, of whom a consider- 

 able number can read and write. In the interior live a 

 race who are perhaps of mixed Papuan descent, split up 

 into different tribes, speaking different languages, and 

 little, if at all more civilised than the pure Dyaks of 

 Borneo. They are head-hunters, living in large villages, 

 and cultivating sago, bananas, and a little rice. The 

 whole island is densely covered with forest, and in all 

 the swampy valleys the sago-palm grows wild, supplying 

 the chief food of the inhabitants, as well as an article of 

 trade, sago cakes being the provision with which every 

 native boat is supplied for a voyage. The Dutch have 

 four stations on the island, and an " Aspirant Controleur " 

 lives at Wahai on the north coast, where there are Euro- 

 pean coffee and coco plantations. The people are, how- 



