A GLANCE AT HHIO. 
4 '> 
Although it may appear out of place in a description of this kind 
to touch on the physical nature of the Islands and vicinity, still, 
having examined a considerable part of thorn on previous occasions, 
we will give a slight sketch before concluding. The Island of Bin- 
tang has been visited on various parts between its eastern and most 
western points along its northern shore, as well as in the vici¬ 
nity of the town pf Rhio, and, geologically considered, it may 
be said to present a continuation of the features that prevail on 
the southern part of the Malayan Peninsula. The same iron stone 
or laterite covering is to be met with, spread over the surface 
of the country in a greater or less degree, as is seen in Malacca 
and Singapore,—at some places the laterite diminishing to a thin 
stratum of gravel, three or four feet beneath the upper soil, 
and at others protruding itself and spreading out on the sur¬ 
face, in blocks and stones. Along the northern shores from Blanah 
Bay to Pulo Panjang the formation was observed to be of ara- 
nite, of coarse grain containing little mica. In many places ||i! 
blocks are of enormous size, and rear themselves up in fantastic 
shapes out of the sea, on the shores, in the vicinity of Round 
V 
Island and Pulo Panjang. On the western extremity of this latter 
Island an immense pyramidal rock rises out of the sea, towering 
to what we guessed to ue about 130 feet from the surface of the 
ocean, white others we observed to have a columnar structure 
testing on a small base. On the Eastern point of Riatang, the rocks - 
take a stratified appearance, and it is difficult to decide for want 
of sections whether they are of plutonic or sedimentary origin. This 
rock again protudes from the bottom of the sea at a distance from 
toe shote with a strike X. A. and S. Ii. and dip nearly perpen¬ 
dicular, rising within 10 feet of the surface of the water and forming 
the dangerous reef called the Postilion’s Shoal, a cause of des¬ 
truction to several English ships until laid down bv a Dutch man 
of Avar ol that name. This foek is clearly visible from the surface 
in clear and calm days, mile the northern part of the Island is 
all of granite rocks, the centre where Rhio is situated, is com¬ 
posed of shales oi different degrees of induration, their strata being 
much titled up and devoid of regularity. They appear to bp 
nonfossiiiferous as far as has been observed, so claim little at¬ 
tention from the Geologist, but they contain quarries of clav Elate* 
