118 DESCRIPTION OF THE COAST. [1846. 



line of the island, from its northern point, by the coast, to 

 the southern extreme, is dangerous of approach, excepting 

 the extreme western tongue, where it is nearest to Ba- 

 lambangan, and which I at first suspected to run out in 

 a coral ledge forming the bar of the channel. This is 

 not the case, as it is composed entirely of five slaty peb- 

 bles with gravelly bottom, rather " steep to," and carries 

 five fathoms along its curvature ; the coral commencing 

 again about one mile south of it, and continuing its 

 sweep from the mouth of the first apparent river or 

 opening, encircles all the islands southerly, the water 

 shoaling suddenly from eighteen to three fathoms. The 

 western side, therefore, of this island does not appear to 

 offer any resources to Balambangan, nor can any be 

 hoped for from the north-western face. As far as we 

 examined southerly, and easterly, the coast-line did not 

 present any inviting bays or anchorages, but the creeks 

 or estuaries on the S.E. face appeared, from the double 

 range of hills, to run very deep into the interior, and as 

 it was in this direction that the five prahus, seen upon 

 our arrival, appeared to be going, it is probable that their 

 villages lie in that direction. 



Balambangan offers two excellent harbours, but both 

 require some skill and previous knowledge of the ground 

 to enter, and having effected this, security from strong 

 winds, wood and water, will be the only objects to be 

 attained. All this may be had without incurring the 

 risk of the intricate navigation, by anchoring outside ; and 

 as strong breezes do not prevail, the outer anchorages are 

 sufficiently safe. Of the two, the northern harbour is less 

 difficult, and with a morning sun all the coral patches 



