668 
THE YOYAGE OF H.M.S. CHALLENGER. 
The slopes of the hills on Mindanao Island were cleared in patches, with huts adjacent to the 
clearings ; there were also huts on Balat Island, hut none were seen on Sarangani. 
The channel between the southern part of Mindanao Island and the Sarangaui group is 5 miles 
across between Lanibal Island and the southwest extremity of Cape Sarangani and 7 miles between 
that Cape and Balat Island. 
These positions may be depended on, as fortunately the meridian altitude of Venus was obtained 
at 9 A.M., and that of the sun at noon, besides numerous observations for longitude. The longitude 
depends on the lighthouse at Samboangan, taken for these calculations as 122° 6' E. 
Having passed through Sarangani Passage, an E. by S. course was shaped for Mata Island, and 
the ship proceeded under steam and fore and aft sails. At 3 p.m. a strong southerly current was 
experienced, and the ship was hauled up to east, being then in lat. 5° 26' N., long. 125° 51' E., or 20 
miles from the supposed position of Mata Island. The vessel was steered east until 6 P.M., at which 
time it was in lat. 5° 29' N., long. 126° 11' E., or 6 miles south of the supposed position of Mata 
Island. The latitude was obtained by a bearing of Balat Island, which could be distinctly seeu, and 
the longitude by D.R. from sights at 5 p.m. No sign of any island was seen from the masthead, which 
commanded a view of at least 15 miles radius, and it was therefore thought that Mata Island did not 
exist. In short, reading the accounts given, it is highly probable that Mata, Palmas, and Hunter or 
Haycock Islands are one and the same island with different localities assigned to it. At 6 p.m. fires 
were banked, and sail made to a fresh N.N.E. wind, the current running to the southward at the rate 
of 1| miles per hour. 
On the 10th February, at 4.45 A.M., the Meangis Islands were seen ahead, and the ship 
was steered to pass to leeward of them, and at 8.30 a.m. sail was shortened, and a sounding 
and two trawlings obtained in 500 fathoms, the position by astronomical observation 
being lat. 4° 33' 10" N., long. 127° 5' 45" E., and by bearings of the islands lat. 4° 32' N., 
long. 127° 3' 45" E. The islands of the Meangis group appear to be laid down on the 
chart correctly in relation to each other, with the exception of Central Island, which 
requires verifying. 
Sueste Island, a small peaked islet 266 feet high, is the southernmost of the small 
islets eastward of Kakarutan Island. 
Nanusa Island rises gradually from the shore and is rounded gently at the summit, 
which appears bare, with the exception of some cocoanut palms along the ridge. The 
other islands of the group are low and flat, but being densely wooded can be seen at a 
considerable distance. There are cocoanut trees on each of them. 
Karckelang, the largest island of the Tulur group, appeared to be much out in 
position; from the ship at 9 a.m. its extremities bore N. 87° W. and S. 36° W., which 
would place it considerably to the northwest, supposing it to be as large as depicted 
on the chart. 
Whilst dredging, a native canoe came alongside from the Meangis Islands, but as the 
occupants spoke neither Malay, Dutch, nor Spanish, no communication could be opened 
with them. The boat was 30 feet long, sharp at both ends and without outriggers, of 
the Ki Island build. The men (twenty-two in number) wore turbans, like the Lutaos of 
