THE TIMOR CROUP 



The islands are nu lunger bare, but euvered with tbi. k 

 forest, and there is little cultivation. The Dutch litivf a 

 small coal-depot here, at Tepa, on the west coast of ih<- 

 main island. 



8. The Timor Laut Group. 



The Timor Laut or Teuimber Islands are a large and 

 rather closely packed group situated aljout midway 

 between Timor and Aru. They extend north and south 

 over nearly 2° of latitude, and consist of three main 

 islands — Larat, Yamdena, and Selaru, with tliirty or 

 more of lesser area and importance. Such knowledge as 

 we have of the soundings in the neighbourhood seem to 

 point to the existence of deep water around the group, 

 though not to the great depths wdiich appear to isolate 

 Timor. Until 1882 almost nothing was known concern- 

 ing this little archipelago. The Bugis and Gorani traders 

 visited a few villages occasionally, and obtained trepaiig, 

 tortoiseshell, and other products, but previous to 'Sh: 

 H. 0. Forbes's visit no European had ever remained 

 upon the group, and very few had even landed. In 

 1882 this enterprising naturalist, accompanied by his 

 wife, was landed at Pdtabel in Larat, and remained tliure 

 for a period of three months. It is to his obse'rvations 

 that we are indebted for what little knowh'dge we possess 

 of the islands. 



The chief island, Yamdena, is about 75 miles in 

 length by 15 in breadth. Selaru is 30 miles long, and 

 Larat not quite so large. The islands are all low, and 

 apparently all composed of recently upheaved coralHne 

 limestone, with the single exception of Laibobar Island, 

 which attains a height of about 2000 feet, and is most 

 probably a volcano. There are aljsolutely no inhabitants 



