1845.] CAGAYANES GROUP. 299 



formation regarding this group. Three more islets and 

 very extensive reefs, extending as far as the eye could 

 reach from our most elevated station, which was about 

 100 feet above the level of the sea, will have to be added 

 to those before known. The islets are situated upon the out- 

 lines of the northern reef, the most distant about ten miles, 

 but as they would become a subject for further enquiry, 

 no further delay was incurred. During my detention at 

 our observing position, we were visited by a boat from 

 the Pueblo, where we noticed a white-washed fort and 

 church, as well as a pretty large village ; we had not 

 time to examine it, but one of the authorities deputed to 

 make enquiries about us, and who endeavoured to make 

 himself understood in a jargon composed of bad Spanish, 

 Malay and Bisayan, assured me, that everything which I 

 enquired for (consisting principally of Bullocks, Vege- 

 tables and Fowls,) could be procured at the Pueblo, and 

 from the general tenor of the enquiries made by him, I 

 was led to infer that Whale ships frequently touch here 

 for water and refreshments. The object of our visit, 

 particularly as none of our people visited the Pueblo, 

 was a matter of deep mystery to them, as they could 

 hardly be brought to imagine that so many human beings 

 could be induced to broil themselves for six hours under 

 a tropical sun for pastime. 



The bays or creeks, situated in the interior of the 

 extensive sound, formed by the two greater islands, are 

 very picturesque and retired, and have, at their entrance or 

 chord of the bay, a depth of not less than three and a 

 half or four fathoms. 



