3S0 SOOLOO. 



to Sooloo, we took our departure for the Straits of Balabac, the 

 western entrance into this sea, with a fine breeze to the eastward. 

 By noon we had reached the group of Pangootaaraang, consisting of 

 five small islands. All of these are low, covered with trees, and 

 without lagoons. They presented a great contrast to Sooloo. which 

 was seen behind us in the distance. The absence of the swell of the 

 ocean in sailing through this sea is striking, and gives the idea of 

 navigating an extensive bay, on whose luxuriant islands no surf 

 breaks. There are, however, sources of danger that incite the navi- 

 gator to watchfulness and constant anxiety; the hidden shoals and 

 reefs, and the sweep of the tide, which leave him no control over his 

 vessel. 



Through the night, which was exceedingly dark, we sounded every 

 twenty minutes, but found no bottom ; and at daylight on the 7th, 

 we made the islands of Cagayan Sooloo, in latitude 7° 03' 30" N., 

 longitude 118° 37' E. The tide or current was passing the islands 

 to the west-southwest, three-quarters of a mile per hour ; we had 

 soundings of seventy-five fathoms. Cagayan Sooloo has a pleasant 

 appearance from the sea, and may be termed a high island. It is 

 less covered with undergrowth and mangrove-bushes than the neigh- 

 bouring islands, and the reefs are comparatively small. It has fallen 

 off in importance, and by comparing former accounts with those I 

 received, and from its present aspect, it would seem that it has 

 decreased both in population and products. Its caves formerly sup- 

 plied a large quantity of edible birds'-nests ; large numbers of cattle 

 were to be found upon it; and its cultivation was carried on to some 

 extent. These articles of commerce are not so much attended to at 

 the present time, and the biche de mar and tortoise-shell, formerly 

 brought hither, are now carried to other places. There is a small 

 anchorage on the west side, but we did not visit it. There are no 

 dangers near these small islands that may not be guarded against. 

 Our survey extended only to their size and situation, as I deemed it 

 my duty to devote all the remainder of the time I had to spare to the 

 Straits of Balabac. 



After the night set in, we continued sounding every ten minutes, 

 and occasionally got bottom in from thirty to seventy fathoms. At 

 midnight, the water shoaled to twenty fathoms, when I dropped the 

 anchor until daylight. We shortly afterwards had a change of wind, 

 and a heavy squall passed over us. 



In the morning we had no shoal ground near us, and the bank on 



