1846.] HARD WOOD OF MALAVI. Ill 



a long range for shelter, taking the precaution to avoid 

 two coral patches, which are nearly mid-channel. There 

 are, therefore, two passages of entrance or exit, but that 

 easterly can only be used for towing, or by steamers, as 

 it is too narrow to work in. As the Fort of Pasanhan is 

 commanded by heights inland, and the general features 

 of the neighbouring land exhibit strong water courses, 

 there cannot be the slightest doubt but some of the moun- 

 tain streams will soon be conducted to the town, and 

 complete the only important resource now looked for. 



The Island of Malavi furnishes the hard wood of that 

 name, of a yellowish tint, adapted for gun carriages ; Poon 

 for planks or spars, and the Polo-Maria, said to be parti- 

 cularly suitable for lower masts. For this use I should not 

 select it where I could obtain sound fir, or even Poon, being 

 equally dense as oak. Many other woods abound, and in 

 Basilan may be obtained to any dimensions within the 

 bounds of reason, as I myself observed a noble denizen 

 of the expiring forest, exceeding nine feet in diameter at 

 the base, and above one hundred and fifty feet in length, 

 of available timber. 



Our boats were despatched under the command of 

 Lieut. Roberton in search of fresh water, which he found 

 in the first large bay west of the settlement, but the tide 

 falling, prevented his egress with the full casks. Having 

 completed operations here, we quitted on the 6th, pass- 

 ing the Spanish frigate c Ysabel ', and gun-boats returning 

 from their expedition to Sooloo. Off the western point 

 of the bay we noticed a large prahu making towards us, 

 which induced me to wait. It contained several large 

 and fat bullocks, but their prices were so exorbitant that 



