344 S O O L O O. 



Mindoro is a beautiful island, and is evidently volcanic; it appears 

 as if thrown up in confused masses : it is not much settled, as the 

 more southern islands are preferred to it as a residence. 



On the 23d, we ascertained the elevation of the highest peak of 

 the island by triangulation to be three thousand one hundred and 

 twenty-six feet. The easternmost island of the Palawan Group, Bus- 

 vagan, was at the time just in sight from the deck, to the southwest. 



It had been my intention to anchor at Ambolou Island ; but the 

 wind died away before we reached it, and I determined to stand off 

 and on all night. 



On the 24th, I began to experience the truth of what Captain 

 Halcon had asserted, namely, that the existing charts were entirely 

 worthless, and I also found that my native pilot was of no more value 

 than they were : he had evidently passed the place before ; but 

 whether the size of the vessel, so much greater than any he had 

 sailed in, confused him, or whether it was from his inability to 

 understand and to make himself understood by us, he was of no 

 use whatever, and we had the misfortune of running into shoal water, 

 barely escaping the bottom. These dangers were usually quickly 

 passed, and we soon found ourselves again floating in thirty or forty 

 fathoms water. 



We continued beating to windward, in hopes of being joined by 

 the Flying-Fish, and I resolved to finish the survey towards the 

 island of Semarara. We found every thing in a different position 

 from that assigned it by any of the charts with which we were fur- 

 nished. On this subject, however, I shall not dwell, but refer those 

 who desire particular information to the charts and Hydrographical 

 Memoir. 



Towards evening, I again ran down to the southwest point of the 

 island of Mindoro, and sent a letter on shore to the pueblo, with 

 directions to have it put on board the tender, when she should arrive. 

 We then began to beat round Semarara, in order to pass over towards 

 Panay. 



The southern part of Mindoro is much higher than the northern, 

 but appears to be equally rough. It is, however, susceptible of culti- 

 vation, and there are many villages along its shores. 



Semarara is moderately high, and about fifteen miles in circum- 

 ference ; it is inhabited, and like Mindoro much wooded. According 

 to the native pilot, its shores are free from shoals. It was not until 



