619 GENERAL REPORT ON THE RESIDENCY OF SINGAPORE. 
been laid down by Captain Ross of the Bombay Marine service 
in Latitude 1° 16’ 15” North, and in Longitude 103° 53’ 15” East 
of Greenwich, and Sir Edward Belcher has lately fixed the same 
position in 17’ 00” North and 103° 50’ 47” East, being a 
difference of 2’ 28” in longitude and 45” in latitude. 
The island of Singapore measures 25 miles 6 furlongs at its 
greatest length, and 14 miles in its greatest breadth, and contains 
in area 206 square miles, 59 square furlongs. Dependent on the 
Government of the island are 75 smaller islands, measuring in all 
17 square miles, 63^ furlongs. The boundary of the Residency is 
limited by an imaginary line drawn through the middle ot the 
Silat Tambrau, Sllat Nanas and KuallaSanti. This line divides 
the British territory from that of Johore, whose chief is a pensioner 
of the British Government. To the South an imaginary line drawn 
through the middle of Main Strait and the larger Strait ot 
Singapore, divides the Residency of Singapore from that of Rhio, 
which is under the government of Netherlands India. 
Geology. Before making remarks on the Geology of Singapore, 
it will be necessary to premise, that in a country so thickly covered 
with almost impenetrable forest, its elucidation with minuteness or 
correctness is extremely difficult, and the difficulty is considerably 
enhanced when the mind of the observer has been engaged on duties 
that require careful attention, nor admit of much abstraction. The 
remarks that I have to offer are drawn from a few slight observations 
hurriedly noted down on the spots- to which my surveying duties 
led me,—they must consequently be imperfect—as I seldom left a 
direct path, unless attracted by an object of more than ordinary 
interest. I had thus no opportunity of following up observations 
on particular strata so as to connect them from one point to another 
in their direction or strike—nor to come to a full apprehension of 
their extent further, where in cropping out at one place I have not 
been able to note if they dip down in another —such observations 
as follow can therefore only be general. 
To commence with the town and suburbs of Singapore;—they 
are situated principally on an alluvial soil, the greater part of 
which is sandy, and near the shore is raised from 4 to 8 feet 
above the level of high water spring tides: this sandy plain decreases 
in height as it recedes from the shore, and as it approaches the hills 
is succeeded by soil composed of red tenacious clays and blue mud. 
This sandy plain extends from the mouth of the Singapore river to 
the mouth of the Rochor, and affords dry and healthy sites for the 
various residencies and dwellings that front the beach. On the south 
bank of Singapore river lies an extensive mud flat which where not 
built upon is covered by the tide; partly on this, as has been already 
mentioned, the most thickly populated part of the town has been 
built, but the excellent drainage of which prevents any bad effects 
to the health of the population located on it. The town occupies 
the south west extremity of the largest alluvial plain on the island, 
