CELEBES. 227 



Topography of Celebes. 



The most famous city in Celebes is Mangkassar (Macasmr), the Ujmig Pandaiig 

 of the natives, and by the Dutch often called Vlaardingen, from the fort of that 

 name erected in the centre of the town. North of this fort stretches the busy 

 native quarter, with its crowded streets, shipping, and Bugi, Chinese, and Arab 

 traders ; to the south lies the European quarter, with its avenues of large trees, 

 and numerous shady gardens. Macassar, occupying one of the most convenient 

 positions for trade in Indonesia, had already been much frequented by the Malays 

 when it was seized by the Portuguese in 1538. The Dutch occupation dates from 

 the erection of Fort Vlaardingen in 1665, after which trade rapidly increased till 

 1846, when Macassar was declared a free port, to the detriment of its commercial 

 prosperity. A chief item of the export trade is the hikalava extract from the pulp 

 of the badu plant, long known in Europe by the name of Macassar oil. The 

 roadstead is well sheltered from all winds by the numerous chains of islets and 

 reefs forming the Spermonde Archipelago. 



Although held by the Dutch for over two centuries, the province of Macassar 

 has but few good roads. The most important is the route skirting the coast north 

 and south of the capital, leading northwards to JIaros, residence of a vassal prince, 

 and running thence through several petty states to Tanette. Another highway 

 running east crosses the rugged region north of Mount Bonthain, reaching the 

 east coast at 8injai and Balang Nipa. The southern route, after passing Goa 

 [Gowa), residence of a former powerful sovereign, traverses Glkoug, Taka lar, a,nd 

 other coast towns inhabited by daring mariners. On the south coast of the 

 Macassar peninsida the chief place is Bonthain [Bantaeng), which has succeeded 

 Bulukomha as capital of the district 



Other "kingdoms " occupy the eastern slope of Macassar and of the two penin- 

 sulas radiating eastwards ; but their capitals are mere hamlets, like the numerous 

 fishing stations on the creeks and sheltered straits of these waters. Bajoa, the 

 port of Boni, at one time the most powerful state in Celebes, is an active centre of 

 trade. But the eastern shores of Celebes present little but a monotonous succes- 

 sion of headlands, inlets, and wooded tracts, mostly destitute of inhabitants, and 

 visited only by the Orang-Bajo, the " Gipsies of the sea," in quest of trepaug and 

 tortoise-shell. 



Farther north the shores of the ffulf of Tolo or Tomaiki, with all their natural 

 advantages, present the same desolate aspect. Even most of the adjacent islands 

 are deserted, and of the Sula (Xula) Archipelago the only inhabited islands are 

 Sula Besi and Sula Taliabo. The Togean Archipelago also, which lies in the 

 northern gidf of Tomini (Gorontolo), has a mixed population of not more than 

 four hundred souls. Parigi, at the neck of the northern peninsula, occupies a 

 favourable position for trade at the narrowest part of the connecting isthmus, and 

 within 21 miles of the Bay of Pains on the opposite coast. Palos itself, lying in a 

 fertile district on a deep and well-sheltered bay, enjoys quite exceptional com- 

 mercial advantages. 



