SO O LOO. 361 



it all night, and had at last succeeded in finding it, as well as the 

 thief, on whom he intended to inflict the bastinado. Accordingly, in 

 a short time the pistol was delivered on board, and every expression 

 of friendship and good-will given, with the strongest assurances that 

 nothing of the kind should happen again. 



As our naturalists could have no opportunity of rambling over the 

 island of Sooloo, it was thought that one of the neighbouring islands 

 (although not so good a field) would afford them many of the same 

 results, and that they could examine it unmolested. Accordingly, 

 at an early hour, they were despatched in boats for that purpose, with 

 a sufficient guard to attend them in case of necessity. The island 

 on which they landed is called Marongas on the map of the group 

 annexed to this chapter. On it are two hills of volcanic conglome- 

 rate and vesicular lava, containing angular fragments embedded. 

 The bottom was covered with living coral, of every variety, and of 

 different colours; but there was nothing like a regular coral shelf, 

 and the beach was composed of bits of coral intermixed with dead 

 shells, both entire and comminuted. The centre of the island was 

 covered with mangrove-bushes; the hills were cones, but had no 

 craters on them. The mangroves had grown in clusters, giving the 

 appearance of a number of small islands. This, with the neighbour- 

 ing islets, were thought to be composed in a great part of coral, but 

 it was impossible for our gentlemen to determine the fact. 



The day was exceedingly hot, and the island was suffering to such 

 a degree from drought that the leaves in many cases were curled and 

 appeared dry. On the face of the rocky cliff they saw many swallows 

 (hirundo esculenta) flying in and out of the caverns facing the sea ; 

 but they were not fortunate enough to find any of the edible nests, so 

 much esteemed by Chinese epicures. 



At another part of the island they heard the crowing of a cock, 

 and discovered a small village, almost hidden by the mangroves, 

 and built over the water. In the neighbourhood were several fish- 

 baskets set out to dry, as well as a quantity of fencing for weirs, all 

 made of rattan. Their shape was somewhat peculiar. After a little 

 while the native fishermen were seen approaching, who evidently 

 had a knowledge of their visit from the first. They came near with 

 great caution in their canoes; but after the first had spoken and 

 reconnoitered, several others landed, exhibiting no signs of embarrass- 

 ment, and soon motioned our party off. To indicate that force would 

 be resorted to, in case of refusal, at the same time they pointed to their 



VOL. V. 91 



