m A VISIT TO THE INDUK AECHIPELAGO. 



Not very likely is it that the tenant of the coml 

 rock will often receive this pleasure from tlie fi-iend who 

 closed his ejm. The wild iscrcams of the sea-birds 

 seemed singularly incompatible with seraphic tranquillity. 



We made the ahoal in latitude 8" 4' 34" 1^., and 

 110" XT' 30" K longitude. 



On the 17th, we came to, in ten fathoms, abont a mile 

 off the south side of Cagayan, and immediately commenced 

 our examination of the curious circular lake hefore men- 

 tionetl, of which we had reserved the examination for this 

 opportunity. The entrance is by a gap about fifty jaixla 

 wide ; this, however^ is crossed by a bank of coral, which 

 extends along the whole south coast, and at low water is 

 nearly dry, so as to exclude any boat larger than a canoe. 

 Just outside the middle of the bar was a small island of 

 rock and sandstone, viith a su^Bcient shelter of bushes to 

 make an excellent shaded spot for our pic-nic. On 

 passing tlie bar, we found onrseivea inside a magnificent 

 circnkr lake of deep blue water ; ita circumference was 

 about three miles. It was completely encircled by sand- 

 stone cliffs, itp wards of 200 feet in height, and nearly 

 perpendicular : theb sides were covered with trees and 

 shrubs. In the natural iianiera of this remai-kablo 

 enclosure only two snmll breaks occurred ; one was the 

 gap by which we entered ; the other was on the E,K.E- 

 aide* 



From the inside, the little island at the entrance had 

 all the appearance of having once filled the gap, and 



