120 MONKEYS, &C. [1844. 



outline, and furnished solid ground upon which several 

 varieties of useful and ornamental timber appeared to 

 flourish ; within the outer belt we found extensive swampy 

 lagoons of brackish water, and one stream sufficiently 

 fresh for consumption. This, no doubt, flows from the 

 lofty mountains which may be seen in the rear when 

 approaching the coast, and distant probably about ten 

 or twelve miles. The only animals noticed were Hogs, 

 Deer, and Monkeys ; one gigantic individual of the last 

 tribe presented himself to us whilst searching for hogs 

 with one of my Lieutenants, who, having his rifle in 

 readiness, was much inclined to shoot this impertinent 

 approximation to the human species ; he took his de- 

 parture, however, with a hoarse cough, or what the 

 sailors termed a 'horse laugh'. A humourous tar be- 

 side us intimated, ' that he took it so quietly that he 

 thought he was going to offer the Lieutenant a cigar.' 

 The seine was hauled with success, and much amusement 

 was afforded to our sportsmen. About sunset we observed 

 an immense flight of bats, migrating apparently towards 

 the north, for the space of an hour, but although well 

 peppered with ball and small shot, none were killed This 

 position on Unsang is situated in Lat. 5 17' 17"N., and 

 Long. 119 12' E., cutting off fifteen miles of the eastern 

 coast as delineated on the charts. 



Quitting Unsang on the 27th we passed on the western 

 side of Tawi-Tawi, and cleared the intricacies of the 

 Sooloo group, experiencing fresh breezes from the south- 

 ward with an uneasy motion, which after our late cruize 

 for some months in still water, became quite unpleasant ; 

 the currents were pressing us strong to the north-east- 

 ward, and the succeeding light breezes did not enable 



