1844.] ACTIVE VOLCANO. 127 



seek a more secure position. The scarcity of fresh water 

 may also have had some share in forming this determina- 

 tion. The neighbourhood of Manado is still subject to 

 volcanic action ; on the eastern side of the Peninsula, 

 near Keema, a cone has been upheaved within a few years, 

 and is at this moment a heap of cinders. Its crater, 

 which may be overlooked from a conical mountain near 

 it, is now in a state of activity, presenting the appearance 

 of an iron pot, bottom upwards, with the lava bubbling 

 through an orifice in its centre. 



As a guide to seamen, the following is worthy of 

 record : The whole of the Bay of Manado is ' steep to',, 

 decreasing suddenly from one hundred and fifty fathoms,, 

 to sixty, ten, and one fathom ; the anchorage should be 

 approached along the beach, obliquely ; let go the anchor 

 when the line at the taffarel gives sixty, veer eight 

 shackles and secure by stream anchor on the reefs. This 

 will berth you in fifteen fathoms, and the operation must 

 be completed before four P.M., or the land squalls may 

 drive you off into one hundred and fifty fathoms. 



On our arrival, we were informed that no bottom 

 would be found beyond sixty fathoms, but having made 

 our customary experiments, we ascertained, that after 

 sixty, the bottom suddenly decreased to one hundred and 

 fifty, and maintained this flat, more or less, for a consi- 

 derable distance, a kedge therefore would safely retain a 

 vessel until she could regain the bank. The holding ground 

 off the mouth of the river is the best, and affords better 

 scope. In the months of November, December, and January, 

 the rollers are said to be terrific, but no instance has 

 occurred of a vessel being wrecked, or driven ashore, that 



