1845.] CLIMATE. 273 



The climate of Sooloo, although so near the Equator, 

 enjoys a much more even and cooler temperature than 

 that of Mindanao. The nights, in particular, are sensibly 

 cool, and although the island abounds in water, mos- 

 quitoes are not troublesome. The range of the thermo- 

 meter during our different visits was between eighty 

 and eighty-four ; highest, eighty-seven ; Samboanga, 

 eighty to eighty-eight. 



Upon the authority of Dalrymple, as well as that of 

 the present resident, Mr. Wyndharn, and the living 

 Datoos, it appears that these islands are seldom, if ever, 

 visited by gales, although strong winds and heavy falls of 

 rain are not uncommon, something of the nature of hur- 

 ricane, or possibly an earthquake, seems to be on tradi- 

 tion, and is mentioned by Dalrymple. 



Elephants formerly existed, but in consequence of the 

 destruction they caused amongst plantations, they have 

 been exterminated. This has also been the case with 

 Unsang, in Eastern Borneo, where they were once sup- 

 posed to be numerous. As they are not now known in 

 a wild state in Borneo, it is highly probable that they 

 were originally imported in their tame state, as presents* 

 to the rulers, otherwise their entire destruction by the 

 very small portion of Malays inhabiting merely the coast- 

 line of the island is highly improbable. Deer abound in 

 the mountains, but as their flesh is not much valued by 

 the natives, they are seldom disturbed, and as they could 

 not be induced to bring them to market, it is possible 

 that they are averse to their destruction. 



Of the off-lying islands, Toolyan, said to have been 



* This conjecture is confirmed by Dalrymple. 

 T 



