1846.] ISLAND OF CALUSA. 97 



From Cagayan we stood over to Calusa, and edged 

 round its breaker line in the hope of meeting with 

 anchorage, but as this search proved unsuccessful, we 

 landed to determine its position. At first, I suspected 

 the island to be thickly inhabited, but we soon discovered 

 that they were only the fishing parties from Cagayan, 

 who paid the island a visit in order to obtain a supply of 

 Cocoa-nuts, with which it abounds. The entire island, 

 occupying a space of about 1500 yards in circumference, 

 is thickly studded with these trees, and the underwood 

 so dense, as to render it a difficult matter to get out if 

 once caught within its labyrinths. After purchasing some 

 hundreds of this fruit, we returned to Cagayan, where we 

 found some of the fair ones very much alarmed at the 

 non-arrival of the boats containing their better halves, 

 and which a strong adverse wind had forced to leeward. 

 They were much pleased to hear of their safety, from us, 

 and at about the period of our departure most of them 

 were near their port. These vessels are about the usual 

 build of prahus, of forty feet, sharp at each end, with a 

 good midship section, but deficient in bearing at either 

 extremity. Yet in these frail craft they make their 

 voyages to the coast of Panay, laden with dried fish, and 

 returning with cotton goods. 



Quitting Cagayan, we steered for the coast of Min- 

 danao, selecting our watering station on the western 

 shore for our principal meridian. On the night of the 

 21st, we dropped anchor, and having obtained observa- 

 tions, moved on to our old position off the town of Sam- 

 boanga, where I had an opportunity of renewing my 

 acquaintance with the Governor, Colonel Figueroa. 



VOL. n. H 



