120 INTERIOR HARBOUR. [1846. 



this particular region appeared to be of a peaty nature, 

 and the trees, generally, of good growth, being Poon, 

 Casuarina, &c., but with little mixture of Mangrove. 

 The southern harbour, although almost land-locked, or 

 completely sheltered by overlapping reefs, has nothing to 

 recommend it. The rocks, which are coralline limestone, 

 succeeded southerly by a species of white marble and 

 sandstone, and finally, by dark basalt on the off lying 

 islets, are either fretted by sea, or atmosphere, into such 

 sharp edges or holes, and in other spots in loose disin- 

 tegrated piles, apparently from some great convulsion of 

 nature, that standing room can hardly be found. This, 

 therefore, forbids any use of the interior harbour beyond 

 the simple shelter for refit ; but a small space on the 

 south side of the exterior bay, appears to have been 

 cleared sufficiently large for the erection of a house, and 

 at this spot a brisk rivulet of excellent water discharges 

 itself into the sea. Unfortunately, however, the coral 

 reefs at this spot prevent boats approaching nearer than 

 fifty yards, except at high-water or half tide ; and as this 

 coral ledge is the base of a long coral tongue, extending 

 northerly, and forming the southern overlapping tongue 

 of this harbour, the adjoining land, exterior to the bay, 

 and which is good soil, is still further unavailable for 

 building. Viewing Balambangan, therefore, as a position 

 for a settlement, it does not appear to offer one single 

 inducement. The population of Banguey is stated by 

 the people on the Borneo coast to be composed entirely 

 of the Bajows or Sea Gipsies, and Idaan, which are 

 periodically visited by the Malay authorities of Maludu 

 Bay, for the purpose of receiving their tribute of Bird's 



