104 NATURAL HISTORY EXCURSION. [1846. 



companions, at the same time that their enemies, the 

 Illations, are not wanting, almost to the extent of Spanish 

 courtesy, towards the fair sex when found in a defence- 

 less state. During our stay here, Mr. Adams was fur- 

 nished with a very intelligent guide belonging to the 

 establishment, and penetrated some distance into the 

 interior for the purpose of collecting objects of Natural 

 History, but his conductor appeared to be very sensitive 

 upon the subject of " Los Indios " or mountain Illations, 

 whom he stated to be constantly in ambush, on the look 

 out for the cattle or persons of the Spaniards. This 

 same person, however, accompanied me to an eminence 

 much further inland, commanding a most extensive view 

 of all the adjacent islands, but as we were well armed he 

 exhibited a great show of valour, rather wishing for 

 their appearance, probably with a view to retaliation. 

 Our collection was not, much enriched from these 

 excursions ; the streams, however, afforded great variety 

 of fresh-water shells, and some peculiar fish ; a few land 

 shells were also brought in by those sent to seek for them 

 on the mountains. The sea did not afford anything new, 

 although the locality warranted great expectations; as 

 boats in penal settlements are dangerous means for 

 escape, they are, of course, prohibited, and to the absence 

 of the pursuit of fishing, we may attribute the scarcity of 

 shells, except of the common Cowries, which abound on 

 all tropical shores. 



Having expressed some anxiety about procuring a spar 

 fit to replace the foremast of the ' Royalist ', the Governor 

 advised my visiting the new Port of Pasanhan on the 

 northern side of Basilan, in sight from the hills above 



