ESSAY TOWARDS AN ACCOUNT OF SULU. 
tins circumstance, which evinces the visible horizon to change its 
distance, makes all observations of latitude, taken by means thereof, 
uncertain; and perhaps, if it be owing to a refractive power in 
the air, land observations may be considerably affected thereby. 
Though I mention this one instance only, similar have occurred at 
other times. 
Earthquakes are not uncommon, but not very violent, there being 
no instance of any mischief, done by them, at Suiu. 
Chap. II. 
Geographical description of Sulu. 
The limits of Sulu, eastward and northward, are the Philipinas : 
westward, Borneo-Proper : and southward, Idanea , or the inland 
of Borneo. 
It is composed of an Archipelago , of which the three most 
considerable islands are Sulu, Basilan and Tawitawi ; of many 
districts on the East, North, and North West Coasts of Borneo ; 
and of the better half of Palawan, or Paragoa, and of Duma,ran . 
I propose to treat first of the islands, which I shall, for the 
greater precision, do under three heads, Sulu, Basilan , and Ta~ 
witawi. 
Sect. I. Sulu. 
Sulu comprehends the Sulu Islands , Tapul Isles , Paliangan 
Isles , and Pangutaran Islands . 
Under the denomination of the Sulu Islands , I consider Sulu, 
Nosa Sale, Tulean , Bankungan, Panganah, Kuhangan, Tulyan , 
Buie Putin , Kapual, Beetinan, Saang , Dong Dong, Tambulean, 
Pata, Dammokmi, Lumbian, Patean, and Teumabal. 
Sulu itself is divided into several chief-ships, all subordinate to 
the capital, but, having their own officers for the common juris¬ 
diction in their several districts; the chiefs of these districts are of 
different ranks, being nominated Panglima, Maharaja Palawan , 
and Orankys. The districts are eight in number.* 
Luc, which comprehends the country of Bual and Pateebulan, under a Panglima. 
Pucldul, .... Dahow, . . Maharaja Palawan. 
Panchual, or Panchuar . Temontangis, Westward . 
Geetong, .... Seenomaan .... 
Tanclu-Annan, . . . Tandu ..... 
Mymbum, .... The district adjacent to that town 
Pugpug, .... The district between Bud Da,to 
and the sea on the other side. 
Parang, .... Tuky . 
• under Orankys 
Parean Batang. 
Luc is the most considerable for number of people : It is not 
to be supposed the limits of each district are determined with 
sufficient precision to permit a minute geographical disquisition, 
but what is above mentioned will be enough to point out their 
situations. 
* The following divisions do not correspond with those of the map, hut the list 
is to be preferred to the map. 
Uuu 
