300 THE NATIVES. [1845. 



If the entrance to this sound from the northward 

 should be found clear from danger, or even accessible by 

 dint of pilotage, this group would form a most important 

 naval position, commanding the entire range of these 

 seas, and be a most convenient spot for relief or recruit 

 to cruizing, or disabled, vessels. The cottages which lie 

 scattered in the little nooks or bays, did not present, as 

 viewed from the boats, either a neat or cleanly appearance 

 but the race composing the crew of the boat which 

 visited us, probably Bisayans, were clean-limbed, light 

 coloured, and vigorous ; very respectful and courteous in 

 manners, inheriting the politeness of the Spaniard and 

 superior Malay : a combination resulting, probably, from 

 Malayan fathers, and Spanish mestizo mothers. The rock 

 upon which our observations were made, is situated in 

 Lat. 9 35' 30" N., and Long. 121 15' 30" E., Var. 

 45' 3" E. Dip. 7 37' 0". 



Horsburgh in his notice of this group, p. 573, makes 

 some remarks upon the depth within this Sound, although 

 he passes at six leagues ! The interior soundings obtained 

 by us, varied from four to fifteen fathoms (some few 

 casts much deeper) in the great Sound, and at its 

 northern outlet, where I hoped to find a channel of suffi- 

 cient depth to admit the ' Samarang ', I could not find 

 more than twelve feet. On quitting this group I had 

 intended working along the western shores of Panay, or 

 as generally termed by those navigating these seas, " the 

 Antique Coast", and passing to the eastward of Semi- 

 rara and Mindoro, take that channel for Manila, This 

 is considered the most certain course, and is adopted by 

 all the small traders employed about the Philippines, 



