126 



PHYSICAL HISTORY OF MAN. 



intimated in another place, to tlie Mongolian. The account by Zu- 

 niga, of the ' Ygorotes' of Luzon, may also be compared. 



b. Sooloo. 



On the 1st of February, the Vincennes sailed from Caldera; passing 

 in the first place, the considerable island of Basilan. Although in 

 plain sight from Caldera, it is beyond the reach of Spanish influence; 

 and some individuals had recently been murdered there, on landing 

 from a European vessel. 



On the following day, our course was among scattered rocks and 

 islets; in some instances, low and exclusively of coral, resembling on 

 a smaller scale those of the Pacific. We had previously seen but 

 slight indications of coral in the East Indies. 



We soon reached the island of Sooloo or Jolo, seemingly one of 

 the most pleasant we met with in the whole course of the Voyage. 

 Its surface appeared to be in great part under cultivation ; and the 

 resemblance to some of the Feejee Islands was at once recognised by 

 Veindovi. As we proceeded along the coast, many small canoes came 

 around, having double outriggers, double-bladed paddles, and contain- 

 ing each from two to five persons, who had brought fruit, fish, and 

 other articles for sale. Even here, the value of coin did not appear 

 to be well understood ; but direct exchanges were generally preferred. 

 The complexion was now deep brown, and the features were in all 

 instances, unequivocally Malay; while from the seeming good hu- 

 mour of those who came on board, from everything except the inferior 

 stature and absence of tattooing, the scene scarcely varied from many 

 we had witnessed in the Pacific. A different state of things, however, 

 was found to exist on shore. 



The Vincennes anchored at Soung, the capital of the island, and 

 the centre of political power in the surrounding region. Shortly after- 

 wards, I landed with others, and walked through the principal part of 

 the town. The style of building was found to be essentially the same 

 as in Luzon, except that many of the houses were placed over the water, 

 with long platforms or bridges connecting them with the shore. The 

 men went habitually armed ; but in place of the bow or club, they had 

 the spear, shield and straight sword, each singularly resembling the 

 ancient Greek pattern of these weapons. It should further be ob- 



