THE PHILIPPINE 



Journal of Science 



A. General Science 



Vol. IA^ • JANUARY, 1909 Xo. 1 



PHYSIOGRAPHY OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: 

 WESTERN MASBATE. 



By Henry G. Ferguson". 



(From the Division of Mines, Bureau of Science. 



I>nTRODUCTION. 



During the winter of 1907-1908 I was engaged in topographic and 

 geologic work in the Aroroy mining district on the Ishmd of Masl^ate. 

 Although most of the time was devoted to topographic mapping in a 

 limited area, a short reconnaissance was made over the western part of 

 the island, southward as far as Mandaou, thence eastward to Milagros 

 and Malbog and northward to Mobo and Masbate; I was assisted by 

 Mr. E. 1^. Clark, field assistant of the Division of Mines, during the 

 greater part of the field work and in the preparation of the maps which 

 accompany this paper. 



POSITION. 



The Island of Masbate lies almost in the exact center of the Philip- 

 pine Islands, between latitudes 11° 43' IST. and 13° 36' IST. and longitudes 

 133° 09' E. and 124° 05' E., and has an area of approximately 3,200 

 square kilometers. Its two-pronged shape makes it unique among the 

 islands of the Archipelago. Its main trend is to the northwest, parallel 

 to the southeastern part of Luzon, and the islands of Burias, Tieao, and 

 Samar. A smaller prong has a southwesterly direction and forms a 

 part of the Pana}', ISTegros, and Cebu series. The islands of Jintotolo, 

 the Zapatos, and Olutaya form connecting links between the southwest 

 extremity of Masbate, Point Pulanduta, and the north coast of Panay. 



