278 
COMPENDIUM OF GEOGRAPHY AND TRAVEL 
that it is not possible to give with certainty even a 
rough outline of its physical geography. Each peninsula 
is nevertheless known to have a central mountain chain. 
In the north and south this has a tolerably continuous 
elevation, while in the eastern limb it is believed to be 
for the most part of lower altitude and discontinuous. 
No active volcanoes are known except in Minahasa, the 
district at the extremity of the northern peninsula, hut 
there are abundant evidences of their former existence in 
several places. These chains, which are believed to radiate 
from a high central mass, of which Mount Latimojong is 
possibly the nucleus, are found to be largely formed of 
gneisses and granites wherever they have been examined, 
and in various districts, but especially in the north, a 
great deal of auriferous quartz is found. At the southern 
extremity rises a mass of elevated land, composed of 
Secondary rocks and distinct from the main range, cul¬ 
minating in the Peak of Bonthain, which is said to he 
over 10,000 feet in height. The height of the Donda 
mountain, at the north-western angle of the island, is 
also stated to be nearly 10,000 feet, but in neither case 
does the appearance of the mountain justify such an 
estimate. Mount Klabat a volcano situated at the 
extreme northern point, has an altitude of 6800 feet. 
As far as is yet known, these and Mount Tukala (8500 
feet), in the eastern peninsula, are the most important 
peaks of Celebes. 
The northern peninsula, rugged and mountainous, and 
clothed with dense vegetation, terminates in Minahasa, 
one of the most fertile districts in the archipelago, and it 
is .here only that the volcanic forces are still active which 
are traceable in other parts of the island. Glunong 
Sudara (4400 feet), Klabat, the Lokon peak (5240 feet), 
Saputan (5963 feet), Tongkoko, and others, are all vol- 
