326 SOOLOO. 



for vessels, and unless the shore is closely approached, the water is 

 almost too deep for the purpose. 



At San Jose a Spanish governor resides, who presides over the two 

 pueblos of San Pedro and San Jose, and does the duty also of alcalde. 

 Lieutenant Budd did not see him, as he was absent, but his lady did 

 the honours. Lieutenant Budd represented the pueblo as cleanly 

 and orderly. About fifteen soldiers were seen, who compose the 

 governor's guard, and more were said to be stationed at San Pedro. 

 A small fort of eight guns commands the roadstead. The beach was 

 found to be of fine volcanic sand, composed chiefly of oxide of iron, 

 and comminuted shells ; there is here also a narrow shore reef of 

 coral. The plain bordering the sea is covered with a dense growth 

 of cocoa-nut trees. In the fine season the bay is secure, but we were 

 informed that in westerly and southwesterly gales heavy seas set in, 

 and vessels are not able to lie at anchor. Several small vessels were 

 lying in a small river about one and a half miles to the southward of 

 the point on which the fort is situated. The entrance to this river is 

 very narrow and tortuous. 



Panay is one of the largest islands of the group. We had an 

 opportunity of measuring the height of some of its western peaks or 

 highlands, none of which exceed three thousand feet. The interior 

 and eastern side have many lofty summits, which are said to reach an 

 altitude of seven thousand five hundred feet ; but these, as we passed, 

 were enveloped in clouds, or shut out from view by the nearer high- 

 lands. The general features of the island are like those of Luzon and 

 Mindoro. The few specimens we obtained of its rocks consisted of 

 the different varieties of talcose formation, with quartz and jasper. 

 The specimens were of no great value, as they were much worn by 

 lying on the beach. 



The higher land was bare of trees, and had it not been for the 

 numerous fertile valleys lying between the sharp and rugged spurs, 

 it would have had a sterile appearance. 



The bay of Antique is in latitude 10° 40' N., longitude 121° 59' 

 30" E. 



It was my intention to remain for two or three days at a convenient 

 anchorage to enable us to maice short excursions into the interior; but 

 the vexatious mismanagement of the tender now made it incumbent 

 that I should make every possible use of the time to complete the 

 operations connected with the hydrography of this sea; for I perceived 

 that the duties which I intended should be performed by her, would 

 now devolve upon the boats, and necessarily expose both officers and 

 men to the hazard of contracting disease. I regretted giving up this 



