ORIENTAL COMMERCE, [Eastern Inlands. 



8 Puuchings equal to 1 Gantang 



10 G an tangs 1 Ruga 



3} Bagas..y. ~1 FecuL 



The gantang of rice is reckoned to weigh 4 catties, according to which 

 2| ragas make 1 China pecul of 133 i lbs. 



The measure for cloth is the fathom, but the Chinese covid is in 

 common use, 



BASSE LAN. — This island is high and mountainous ; its E. extremity 

 is in latitude 6° 30 N., and longitude 122° 30 E. ; it is separated from 

 the Island of Magindanao by a channel called the Strait of Basselan. 



PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. — This Archipelago consists of an immense 

 number of islands of various sizes, on many of which the Spaniards have 

 establishments ; the principal of those frequented by the English are 

 Magindanao, orMindano, and Luconia, or Manilla. 



MAGINDANAO. — This island is of a triangular form, having three 

 remarkable promontories, one near Samboangan, in latitude 6° 43' N., and 

 longitude 122° 14 E., where the Spaniards have their principal settlement 

 to the W. ; Cape Augustine to the S. E., in latitude 6° 4' N., and longitude 

 126 c 48' E. ; and Suligow to the N. The island may he divided into three 

 parts : the first under the Sultan, who resides at the town of Mindano, or 

 Selangan, by far the largest and most ancient ; the second is under the 

 Spaniards, comprehending a large portion of the sea-coast ; and the third is 

 under the Illauo Sultans, a sort of feudal Chiefs. 



The town of Magindanao, in latitude 7° \Cf N., and longitude about 

 124° 35' E., stands about six miles from the bar of the River Pelangy, on the 

 right hand going up, just where the Melampy joins it. The Pelangy is then 

 about the width of the Thames at London Bridge. The Melampy is about 

 half as broad ; and as you go up, it strikes off to the right, whilst the 

 Pelangy on the left retains its breadth for many miles. A branch of the 

 Pelangy, called Tamanlakka, discharges itself into the sea about three miles 

 to the S. of the Pelangy, which has three fathoms on its bar at high water 

 in spring tides, while that of the Pelangy lias only two fathoms. 



The town of Magindanao, properly so called, consists at present of 

 scarcely more than 20 houses; they stand just above where a little creek, 

 about 18 feet broad, called the River Magindanao, rims into the Pelangy. 

 Close to the Magindanao, and opposite the few houses making the town of 

 that name, stands the town of Selangan, which may be said to make one town 

 with the other, communicating with it by several bridges over the river. It 

 extends about one mile down the S. ride of the Pelangy, forming a decent 



