16 A NATURALIST IN CELEBES ch. i 



place, which is called Koa in the map, is not, as might be 

 supposed, worthy of the name of village. It consists simply 

 of the house of the Opzichter or overseer, the mandurs 

 or foremen, a gudang or store for rice and other things, 

 and some half-dozen houses of the labourers in the plan- 

 tations. It is, however, if I might so call it, the port of 

 Talisse, for here the passing praus and sailing vessels stop 

 for water and for shelter on their way from Sangir to 

 Manado. Unimportant as it is to the world at large, it 

 was of considerable interest and importance to me, for here 

 I lived for some months when I commenced my studies of 

 the fauna of the forests and the reefs. 



There was, at the time of my arrival — it has tumbled 

 down long since — a rickety wooden pier which stretched 

 from the shore to a distance of some fifteen or sixteen 

 yards beyond the edge of the coral reef. 



H.M.S. ' Flying Fish,' a composite sloop of 950 tons, 

 carrying two guns instead of her complement of four as she 

 was on surveying service, was lying at anchor two or three 

 cables from the pier at Koa ; and as soon as I had enjoyed 

 a refreshing bath in the beautiful little stream that issues 

 from the mountain-side and breakfasted at the Opzichter's 

 house, I went on board. 



I was most heartily and kindly welcomed by all on 

 board, and soon became involved in a running conversation 

 on English politics in general and my own adventures in 

 the past and plans for the future in particular. My 

 subsequent connection with this vessel was in every way 

 a very happy and particularly fortunate one for me, and I 

 cannot more appropriately close this my introductory 

 chapter than by recording my heartfelt thanks to Captain 

 Maclear and the other officers of the ' Flying Fish ' for their 

 great hospitality and kindness and for the hearty assist- 

 ance they gave me in my work. 



